Abdominal organ displacement is a potentially life‐threatening condition in horses. Primary care veterinarians commonly make referral decisions based on a combination of clinical and ultrasonographic findings. However, published studies describing the effects of transducer on identifying abdominal organ locations in horses are currently lacking. The objective of this prospective, methods comparison, pilot study was to compare organ identification using a high‐frequency linear (transrectal) transducer and a low‐frequency curvilinear (abdominal) transducer for transcutaneous abdominal ultrasonography of healthy horses. Twelve clinically normal adult horses owned by the University of Calgary were enrolled in the study. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed by four practitioners, each randomly assigned to an alternating rotation of transrectal or abdominal transducer and left or right side of a horse. Using a Chi square test or Fisher's exact test, the frequency of identification for each organ was compared between both transducers. There was no significant difference in organ identification on the right side of the abdomen. On the left side, the stomach, liver, and kidney were less likely to be detected with the transrectal transducer. Compared with a low‐frequency abdominal transducer, a high‐frequency linear transrectal transducer delivers images that allow for organ identification in transcutaneous ultrasonography of the equine abdomen except for the left kidney, left liver, and stomach.

Metal artifacts in CT negatively impact the evaluation of surgical implants and the surrounding tissues. The aim of this prospective experimental study was to evaluate the ability of a single energy metal artifact reduction (SEMAR™, Canon) algorithm and virtual monoenergetic (VM) dual-energy CT (DECT) scanning techniques to reduce metal artifacts from stainless steel screws surgically inserted into the equine proximal phalanx. Seven acquisitions of 18 cadaver limbs were performed on a Canon Aquilion

A fourteen-day-old warmblood colt presented with severe neurological signs of unknown origin. The foal was recumbent and comatose, and showed spastic motion of the head. Computed tomography (CT) examination revealed multiple impression fractures to the left parietal and temporal bones, as well as traumatic brain injury. Three fragments of the temporal bone were dislocated into the cranial vault. The foal was surgically treated within 24 hours of presentation: the fragments were elevated and the largest fragment was fixated with an L-shaped titanium MatrixMidface 0.8 mm reconstruction plate. The brain injury resolved with medical treatment and supportive care. Apart from a localized wound abscess that was drained, postoperative healing was uneventful and the foal regained the ability to ambulate 18 days after surgery. Follow-up CT imaging documented good fracture healing and a favorable development of the soft tissue injuries. Seven months after surgery, the foal was fully recovered and showed no neurological signs.

A 7-year-old Warmblood mare presented with bilateral epistaxis, facial swelling and deviation of the nose and upper lip. Upon clinical and computed tomographic examination a complete, oblique, open and displaced fracture of the nasal process of the incisive bone of the left and right maxilla was found. In order to maintain a good alignment and reduction in the fracture, a temporary retention with cerclage wire connecting the incisors of the mandible and maxilla was used. The fracture was then treated surgically with a 3.5-mm narrow-locking compression plate on the dorsolateral aspect of the incisive bone in combination with oral cerclage wiring. The intra-oral cerclage wiring was removed 12 weeks post-surgery, while the plate remained in situ. Minor post-surgical complications consisted of transient facial nerve paralysis and swelling. Follow-up radiographs taken 8 weeks after surgery documented good fracture healing. Nine months after surgery the mare has returned to her intended use and showed excellent cosmesis.