This report describes transient ulcerative dermatitis, severe thrombocytopenia, and mild neutropenia in 6 foals from 4 mares from geographically diverse regions of the United States. The foals presented at <4 days of age with oral and lingual ulcers, and crusting and erythema around the eyes, muzzle, and perineal, inguinal, axillary, trunk, and neck regions. There was a severe thrombocytopenia (0-30,000 platelets/microL), leukopenia (1900-3200 white blood cells/microL), and mild neutropenia (500-1800 neutrophils/microL). Four of the 6 foals had petechiae and ecchymotic hemorrhages and 3 had bleeding tendencies. Results of examination of a bone marrow biopsy from 1 foal were normal and results of a platelet surface immunoglobulin test in another were negative. Histopathology of the skin in all foals showed subepidermal clefting with subjacent vascular dilation, dermal hemorrhage, and superficial papillary necrosis. The foals were treated supportively with broad-spectrum antibiotics (5/6), corticosteroids (3/6), gastric ulcer prophylaxis (6/6), whole-blood transfusion (4/6), and platelet-rich plasma (1/6). The skin lesions and thrombocytopenia (>50,000 platelets/microL) improved in 2 weeks (4/6). Two foals had a decline in their platelet counts when the steroids were decreased and needed protracted treatment. All foals survived and were healthy as yearlings. Two mares that had 2 affected foals each, upon subsequent pregnancies to different stallions, had healthy foals when an alternate source of colostrum was given. The findings in the cases in this report suggest a possible relationship between colostral antibodies or some other factor in the colostrum and the thrombocytopenia and skin lesions, although further investigation is warranted to confirm or refute this hypothesis.

The medical records of 80 horses treated for left laryngeal hemiplegia by prosthetic laryngoplasty, ventriculectomy and vocal cordectomy were examined, first to compare the subjective and objective success rates for groups of horses of different ages and used for different purposes, and secondly, to compare the efficacy of including vocal cordectomy in the surgical protocol with published success rates for laryngoplasty and ventriculectomy alone. Subjectively, 70 per cent of the horses were said to have had a successful surgical outcome. The success rate for thoroughbred racehorses (66 per cent) was lower than for other breeds (90 per cent) on the basis of a subjective assessment by owners and trainers. Thoroughbreds two years old or younger had a success rate of 69 per cent, but older thoroughbreds had a success rate of 61 per cent. Of the 17 horses for which an objective performance index could be calculated, 10 (59 per cent) had an improved performance postoperatively. There was a nearly significant association between the objective and subjective assessments (P=0.078). Six of 69 horses (8.7 per cent) continued to make a respiratory noise after surgery. The subjective assessment of success did not appear to correlate with the objective measure of success used in this study and age had no apparent association with a successful surgical outcome. Inclusion of a vocal cordectomy in the surgical protocol may be more important in the eradication of postoperative respiratory noise than in improving clinical success rates.

An 8-hour-old Standardbred filly was evaluated because of an enlarging umbilical mass and stranguria. It was suspected that the mass was the urinary bladder; this was confirmed on surgical exploration of the abdomen. Despite a normal umbilical ring, the bladder had descended and partially everted through its urachal communication with the umbilical stalk. Partial cystectomy and umbilical resection were performed and resulted in an excellent clinical outcome. Evagination of the urinary bladder via the umbilicus has rarely been described in human infants, and, to our knowledge, it has not been reported in the veterinary literature.

Surgical management of caecal impactions has included several different procedures suggested over the years. Complete bypass of the caecum through an ileocolic or jejunocolic anastomosis has become common practice for first time caecal impaction management, especially when dysfunction is suspected. In our practice, however, caecal impactions have been managed surgically by typhlotomy alone and of the 10 cases (July 1988-June 1998), 9 underwent surgery for first time caecal impactions, received a typhlotomy, and had survived an average of 43 months at time of case review. At the time of surgery, all were considered to have a dysfunctional caecum. All horses received routine postoperative care with the addition of anthelmintics as recovery of Anoplocephala perfoliata occurred in several cases. Typhlotomy should be considered an acceptable technique for surgical management of first time caecal impactions. Postoperative pyrantel pamoate and larvicidal anthelmintics should also be considered.

The purpose of our study was to determine the types of lesions that cause colic in juvenile Thoroughbreds, factors associated with these lesions and the subsequent survival and athletic performance of the juveniles. The age of juvenile Thoroughbreds requiring surgical exploration for abdominal pain has an influence on the type of lesion causing colic. The short-term survival rate (discharge from the hospital) after colic surgery for foals was 85% and was strongly influenced by the lesion causing colic. Thirteen percent of juveniles recovered from the first surgery experienced another severe colic episode requiring additional surgery or euthanasia. Eight percent of foals recovered from the first celiotomy developed adhesions. Adhesion formation was related to the initial lesion causing colic and the foals' age at the first surgery. Foals being suckled (15 days to 6 months) were at greatest risk for adhesions and more frequently required multiple surgeries. Juvenile Thoroughbreds that had a celiotomy were significantly less able to race (63%) than their unaffected siblings (82%), and age at the initial surgery was associated with the percentage of horses that raced. However, affected foals able to race won as much money, raced as often, and made as many starts as their siblings. Colic and surgical treatment have a negative impact on athletic performance, but the majority of foals discharged from the hospital after colic surgery will perform athletically as adults.

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical and radiographic features of subchondral cystic lesions (SCL) of the proximal extremity of the tibia in horses that could be used to classify these lesions as being related to osteochondrosis or osteoarthritis and to evaluate results of surgical debridement. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 12 horses with 14 SCL. PROCEDURE: Medical records and radiographs obtained before and after treatment were reviewed. RESULTS: In 6 young horses (8 lesions), SCL were considered to be related to osteochondrosis; all involved the lateral tibial condyle. The remaining 6 horses were mature and had radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis in addition to SCL. Arthroscopic debridement was performed in 4 horses in which lesions were considered to be a result of osteochondrosis and in 3 horses with osteoarthritis. Three horses in which SCL were considered to be a result of osteochondrosis performed athletically after debridement. Two horses with moderate osteoarthritis returned to work after arthroscopic debridement but at a lower level of athletic performance. One horse with SCL related to osteochondrosis responded to medical treatment and went on to race. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that arthroscopic debridement of SCL is feasible in horses in which lesions involve the cranial portion of the lateral or medial tibial condyle, and that treated horses may be able to perform athletically.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of polymyxin B-dextran 70 (PBD) for treatment of endotoxemic horses. ANIMALS: 15 horses during study 1 and 6 horses during study 2. PROCEDURES: 3 groups were used in study 1. Horses in groups 1 and 2 were given 30 ng of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/kg of body weight, IV, over 60 minutes. Horses in group 3 were given saline (0.9% NaCl) solution. Beginning 15 minutes before LPS infusion and continuing for 75 minutes, horses in groups 1 and 3 were given PBD, IV. Horses in group 2 were given dextran 70. Blood samples were obtained for hemograms and determination of cytokine, lactate, and prostanoid concentrations. In study 2, horses were given ketoprofen (2.2 mg/kg) or saline solution 15 minutes before infusion of PBD. Fourteen days later, treatments were reversed, using a crossover design. Blood samples were obtained for measurement of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) concentration. RESULTS: For study 1, prior treatment with PBD completely blocked endotoxin-induced changes for heart and respiratory rates, rectal temperature, WBC count, and plasma tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 6, TXB2, and prostaglandin F1 concentrations. There was transient tachypnea, sweating, and increased plasma TXB2 concentration in horses given PBD (with or without LPS). Prior treatment with ketoprofen eliminated all PBD-induced signs and prevented the increase in plasma TXB2 concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Signs of endotoxemia were prevented in horses by treatment with PBD, although its use was associated with mild adverse effects. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: When used in combination with a cyclooxygenase-inhibiting drug, PBD has potential for treatment of horses with endotoxemia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if omentectomy would decrease the frequency of postoperative intraabdominal adhesions. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS OR SAMPLE POPULATION: 44 horses that had either two ventral median celiotomies or a ventral median celiotomy and a necropsy more than 4 days later; 19 of these horses had their omentum removed at the initial surgery. METHODS: Data retrieved from the records included location and type of intraabdominal adhesions; location of the surgical lesion; relationship of adhesions to the surgical lesion; surgical procedures; duration of initial surgery; time interval between procedures; age, gender, and breed of the horse; and clinical outcome. Fisher's exact test was used to evaluate the association between categorical explanatory and outcome variables. The effect of potential risk factors on the incidence rate of adhesion formation was estimated using a proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: Of 25 horses in the nonomentectomy group, 15 (60%) had postoperative adhesions that resulted in the need for a second surgical intervention, whereas of 19 horses that had omentectomy initially, only 4 (21%) had postoperative adhesions that required a second procedure. Rate of adhesion formation was higher in horses that did not have omentectomy initially (incidence ratio rate [IRR], 0.46; 90% confidence interval [CI], 0.18 to 1.19). At initial surgery, 24 horses had a small intestinal lesion, and 20 horses had a large intestinal lesion. Fifteen horses (63%) with small intestinal lesions subsequently developed adhesions compared with four horses (20%) with an initial large intestinal lesion (P =.006). At the second procedure, small intestine lesions were identified in 32 horses and large intestine lesions in 12 horses (1 horse had both small and large intestine lesions), and 1 horse had a gastric lesion. Adhesions were identified as the cause of colic signs in 19 (61%) horses with small intestinal lesions and in none of the horses with large intestine lesions. The frequency of adhesion development leading to colic associated with only the small intestine at the second surgery or necropsy was significantly greater (P =.001) than the frequency only in the large intestine. CONCLUSIONS: Omentectomy reduced the rate of postoperative adhesion formation. Adhesions are more likely to occur after small intestinal surgery and if they do occur likely involve the small intestine. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Omentectomy is a safe procedure and should be considered prophylactically for reduction of adhesion formation after abdominal surgery in horses.

OBJECTIVE: To describe an alternative technique for large colon resection and anastomosis in horses. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of clinical patients. ANIMAL POPULATION: 37 horses that had ventral midline celiotomies between July 1, 1990, and July 1, 1994. METHODS: Large colon resection and anastomosis was performed using a modification of previously described techniques. Modifications include mesocolon ligation with a stapling device and an end-to-end apposition of the right ventral and right dorsal colon. RESULTS: Twenty-one of the 37 horses were discharged from the hospital without complications. Two horses were euthanatized immediately after recovery from anesthesia because of hindlimb fracture. Fourteen horses were euthanatized in the initial postoperative period because of persistent endotoxemia and abdominal pain. CONCLUSIONS: The described technique is a safe, reliable method for large colon resection and anastomosis in horses. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The described technique is fairly simple to perform and requires less surgical time compared with other techniques.

The human erythrocyte anion-exchange protein (HAE1) has been expressed in insect Sf-9 cells using a recombinant baculovirus. We subcloned the full-length cDNA encoding HAE1 into the baculovirus expression vector pVL1392 and cotransfected Sf-9 cells with the recombinant vector and wild-type AcMNPV DNA to obtain recombinant baculovirus. The expressed protein was targeted to the Sf-9 plasma membrane at an apparent density of approximately 0.5 x 10(6) copies/cell as determined by quantitative autoradiography using an HAE1-specific monoclonal antibody. Unlike native HAE1, the expressed protein was not glycosylated. Transport studies with HAE1-recombinant-infected Sf-9 cells showed saturable [Km(Cl-)= 44 mM; Vmax(Cl-)= 48 mEq/liter of cell waters min] and H2DIDS-inhibitable (K(O.5)= 34 microM) 36Cl- uptake that was not present in uninfected cells. We also found that extracellular SO4(2-) reduced 36Cl- influx [K(0.5)((SO4)2-)= 26 mM], presumably through substrate competition as in erythrocytes. Finally, we observed that H2DIDS-inhibitable 36Cl- efflux was reduced by 77% in the nominal absence of a suitable counter-anion in the external solution (HCO3(-)-free, all-glucuronate medium), thereby providing strong evidence for an obligatory exchange mechanism. We conclude that there is high-level expression of +++HAE1 functional activity in recombinant baculovirus-infected Sf-9 cells and that this system will prove useful for kinetic and structural analyses of the HAE1 protein.

A 63-year-old male presented with an intravesical foreign body. We could not remove it by a transurethral operation. We performed open surgery, and found the urinary bladder to be perforated by a foreign body which invaded the peritoneal cavity. To our knowledge, there were 10 similar cases in Japan.

An 11-year-old female consulted our department with complaints of urinary incontinence and pyuria. She had had a cloacal repair 7 years ago. The radiograph showed four stones in the pelvis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed two diverticula next to the urethra and several low intensity masses in one diverticulum were regarded as stones. Voiding cystourethrography showed normal urinary bladder contraction, although there were residual urine in the diverticula. Preoperatively, these stones were thought to be formed as a result of the long-standing residual urine. Cystourethroscopy showed that the two diverticula existed within the proximal area of the urethral sphincter and four white stones were found in them. Transurethral cystolithotripsy was performed and a surgical staple was found in the core of each stone. The surgical staples had been used for the cloacal repair and they had migrated into the bladder resulted in stone formation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of bladder stones caused by the migration of surgical staples into the bladder after cloacal repair.

Percutaneous extraction of intravascular foreign bodies is becoming an increasingly common technique. It is an effective and low aggressive way to avoid surgery. We report four new cases of percutaneous retrieval.

So far a number of different opinions have been published in various publications on the possibilities of preventing diseases caused by foreign bodies--by removing them from the reticulum with the use of the magnetic probe. It was decided to test the practical value of the Eisenhut probe. Studies on 58 cows were carried out in the 1967-1973 period. Among the tested animals fere those suffering persistent rumen fistula and others which were being examined after rumenotomy. The animals under observation were divided into 5 groups. The object of the experiment was to test: a) the properties of the probe and possible dangers which might have resulted from its application. b) the usefulness and effectiveness of this rather expensive instrument. On the strength of experiments carried out it was found that the possibilities in moving the end of the probe, when introduced into reticulum, are very limited and, what more, a direct application of that into the reticulum cavity is difficult in "mass-probing", thus largely restricting the efficiency of the given instrument. The "retrieving crown" of the magnetic end has no essential part in the process of removing foreign bodies from the reticulum. Results obtained after having starved the animals for a period of time were even worse. When applying the probe to animals in good health, cases of rupturing the oesophagus and thus aspiring the alimentary content into the respiratory tract were recorded. When using the above-mentioned instrument, it was never possible to recover more than 50% of the foreign bodies introduced previously into the reticulum, which was mainly due to the difficulty in introducing the magnetic end into the reticulum.