Background Application of an autogenous fascia lata graft in the treatment of keratomalacia in the horse has not been reported. The present case describes the use of an autologous fascia lata graft to surgically treat a complicated corneal ulcer in a horse. Case presentation A 12-year-old Arabian mare was admitted to Sharjah Equine Hospital with a history of right eye ulcerative keratitis of unknown duration. Following a week of aggressive medical treatment, the condition deteriorated and a keratectomy and pedicle conjunctival graft were performed. A week later, the conjunctival graft partially dehisced and the ulcer continued to degrade. In attempting to preserve the integrity of the globe a second grafting procedure was performed when a segment of fascia lata harvested from the ipsilateral hind leg was grafted onto the corneal lesion. Response to surgery was positive and the mare was discharged from the hospital on Day 31 post diagnosis (17 days after the second surgery) with a comfortable eye. Follow-up12 months later revealed a comfortable but only partially visual eye due to corneal scarring. Conclusion Although the graft actually failed from the point of view of tissue integration, fascia lata appears to be a readily available, effective and affordable autografting material and we believe this technique has potential for short term physical and structural support of severe malacic or other complex corneal ulcers.

Summary In women, a single umbilical artery has been associated with congenital abnormalities and post‐natal problems for the infant. This paper describes a case of a single umbilical artery in the amniotic portion of an abnormally long umbilical cord of a recipient mare carrying an Arabian foal. In this case, the single umbilical artery did not appear to be associated with congenital abnormalities that resulted in fetal demise or serious post‐partum problems. However, the placenta showed signs, both during gestation and after delivery, of disturbances in its fluid dynamics, and omphalophlebitis developed in the foal at age one week. How such cord anomalies might disturb fluid homeostasis in the placenta or bias the foal to umbilical infection remains to be determined. Notwithstanding, careful examination of the umbilical cord at birth could alert attending veterinary clinicians to be particularly discerning in their examination of the umbilicus.

SummaryThis report describes segmental ischaemic necrosis of the small intestine 4 days after foaling in a 9‐year‐old Arabian mare. The jejunal mesentery was avulsed from the intestine in two locations for 20 and 200 cm, resulting in intestinal necrosis, in the absence of entrapment or strangulation. This case highlights the need to consider the possibility of mesenteric injury when a post‐partum mare presents mild signs of abdominal pain.

CASE DESCRIPTION A 9–year-old pony gelding was evaluated because it was suspected that a persistent oronasal fistula had developed after a fractured right maxillary second premolar tooth had been extracted via repulsion 6 months earlier. CLINICAL FINDINGS Unilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge and malodorous breath were noted on clinical examination. Examination of the oral cavity revealed a 1 × 0.5-cm defect at the oral aspect of the right maxillary second premolar alveolus, from which feed material was extracted. Endoscopic examination revealed feed material in the rostral aspect of the right nasal cavity, confirming the diagnosis of oronasal fistula. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME The pony initially underwent a reconstructive surgical procedure that combined an alveolar bone flap with a sliding mucoperiosteal hard palate flap to repair the oronasal fistula. The fistula reoccurred 5 months later and was ultimately repaired by means of a novel 2–layer flap closure method involving an autogenous fascia lata graft and oral mucosa flap. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Fascia lata was effective as a scaffolding graft for repair of the oronasal fistula in this pony and may be useful for repair of oronasal fistulas in other equids as well.

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