Summary A retrospective study of 119 cases of fracture of the proximal phalanx is described. The short incomplete sagittal fracture (split pastern) was most common and carried a good prognosis for a return to racing following conservative treatment. Longer incomplete fractures also had a good prognosis but complete fractures, either through the lateral cortex of the proximal phalanx or through the bone into the proximal interphalangeal joint, required internal fixation. Careful assessment of these and comminuted fractures was essential before surgery was undertaken. Most comminuted fractures were treated with a view to the animal retiring to stud rather than racing again. Humane destruction was considered to be justifiable for such fractures in colts or geldings of no stud value or if the fracture was severely comminuted.

The benefits of using thyroxine (T4) plus triiodothyronine (T3) in combination in thyroid hormone replacement are unproven but many individuals continue to be treated with this regime. When T3 is used alone for hypothyroidism, it results in wide fluctuations of thyroid hormone levels. However, only limited data exists on combined T3/T4 therapy. In this study, we have compared 24-hour profiles of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free T4 (fT4) and free T3 (fT3) and cardiovascular parameters in 10 hypothyroid patients who had been on once daily combined T3/T4 therapy for more than 3 months with 10 patients on T4 alone. Twenty patients, who were part of a larger study, investigating the long-term benefits of combined T3/T4 therapy, were recruited into this sub-study. Over 24-hours, 12 samples were taken for thyroid hormones. Their 24-hour pulse and BP is also monitored on a separate occasion. On T4 alone, a modest 16% rise in fT4 with no change in fT3 was seen in the first 4-hours post-dose. In contrast, on combined treatment, fT3 levels showed a marked rise of 42% within the first 4-hours post-dose (T3/T4:T4=6.24: 4.63 mU/L, p<0.001). Mean exposure to fT3 calculated by area under the curve (AUC) was higher (T3/T4:T4=1148:1062, p<0.0001) on T3. Circadian rhythm of TSH was maintained on both treatments. No difference in pulse or blood pressure over the 24-hours was seen between the groups. Our data suggests that despite chronic combined T3/T4 therapy, wide peak-to-trough variation in fT3 levels persists. Although no immediate cardiovascular effects were seen, the long-term consequences for patients on combined therapy are unknown.

Summary An outbreak of ataxia and paralysis on a Thoroughbred studfarm is reported. The cause of the disease was attributed to equid herpesvirus (EHV1) infection which stemmed from a single 10‐month abortion on the studfarm. Stallions, mares and foals were all affected but the most serious clinical signs occurred in the mares. There were 35 out of 39 mares, 2 out of 4 stallions and 5 out of 39 foals which exhibited signs of ataxia. Nine mares became recumbent and died or were euthanased. Treatment with betamethasone and antibiotics was given. The outbreak was contained to one area of the stud apart from secondary spread to 2 in‐contact mares on different premises. Résumé On rapporte l'existence d'un foyer d'ataxie et de paralysie dans un haras de Pur Sang. Un herpés virus équin (EHV 1) est tenu pour responsable de cette maladie qui s'est propagée à partir d'un unique avortement à 10 mois de gestation. Les étalons, les juments et les poulains furent tous atteints, mais les signes cliniques les plus sérieux apparurent chez les poulinières. Les signes d'ataxie se manifestèrent sur 35 des 39 poulinières, sur 2 des 4 étalons et sur 5 des 39 foals. 9 poulinières furent paralysées et moururent ou furent euthanasiées. Un traitement d'antibiotiques et de corticoïdes fut utilisé. L'épizootie fut contenue dans une partie du haras à l'exception de 2 poulinières contaminées dans des locaux hors de la zone atteinte. Zusammenfassung Ein Ausbruch von Ataxie und Lähmung in einem Vollblutgestüt wird beschrieben. Die Ursache der Krankheit wurde im equinen Herpesvirus 1 (EHV1) gesehen, das verantwortlich war für einen einzigen Abort auf 10 Monate in diesem Gestüt. Hengste, Stuten und Fohlen erkrankten, aber die ernstesten klinischen Symptome äusserten sich bei den Stuten. 35 von 39 Stuten, 2 von 4 Hengsten und 5 von 39 Fohlen zeigten Ataxie. Neun Stuten lagen fest und starben oder sie wurden euthanasiert. Eine Behandlung mit Betamethason und Antibiotika wurde unternommen. Der Ausbruch beschränkte sich auf ein definiertes Gebiet des Gestüts; nur zwei Stuten, die Kontakt gehabt hatten, erkrankten auf anderen Weiden.

Summary Daily oral administration of 30 mg allyl trenbolone (Regumate) for 10 to 15 days to 61 barren, maiden and lactating Thoroughbred mares which were exhibiting either deep anoestrus, shallow anoestrus, prolonged spring oestrus or lactation anoestrus, resulted in 54 mares (88 per cent) showing oestrous behaviour within 8 days, and 51 mares (84 per cent) ovulating within 18 days, after the last dose of compound. Response rate was lowest in mares in deep anoestrus. Of the 38 Regumatetreated mares which were covered during the induced oestrus, 21 (55 per cent) conceived. The practical value of this form of progesterone withdrawal therapy as a method for hastening the onset of the breeding season in Thoroughbred mares is discussed. Résumé L'administration orale de 30 mg d'allyl trenbolone (Regumate), durant 10 à 15 jours, à 61 juments vides, soit en lactation, soit vierges, soit en anoestrus profond, soit en anoestrus léger, soit en anoestrus prolongé, soit en anoestrus de lactation, suscita chez 54 juments (88%), un comportement d'oestrus dans les 8 jours, et 51 juments (84%) ovulèrent dans les 18 jours succédant à la dernière administration du produit. Le taux de réponse fut plus bas chez les juments en anoestrus profond. Parmi les 38 juments traitées par ce produit qui furent saillies sur la chaleur provoquée, 21 (55%) furent gestantes. La valeur pratique de cette thérapeutique soustractive de progestérone comme méthode pour accélérer le démarrage de la saison de monte che les Pur Sangs, est discutée. Zusammenfassung Bei täglicher Gabe von 30 mg Allyl‐Trenbolon (Regumate) während 10–15 Tagen an 61 Vollblutstuten (leere, laktierende und Maidenstuten), die entweder ausgeprägten Anoestrus, seichten Anoestrus, verlängerten Frühjahrsoestrus oder Laktationsanoestrus zeigten, provozierte bei 54 Stuten (88%) Brunstverhalten innert 8 Tagen und bei 51 Stuten (84%) eine Ovulation innert 18 Tagen nach der letzten Dosis. Die Stuten mit ausgeprägtem Anoestrus reagierten am schlechtesten. Von 38 behandelten und im induzierten Oestrus gedeckten Stuten konzipierten deren 21 (55%). Der praktische Wert einer derartigen Progesteron‐Entzugstherapie als einer Methode zum frühe***ren Beginn der Deckperiode bei Vollblutstuten wird diskutiert.

No abstract