A 2.5-year-old female Thoroughbred was examined because of lethargy, anorexia, and weight loss. Analysis of a CBC revealed erythrocytosis and an increase in PCV. Serum biochemical analysis revealed increases in activities of several hepatic enzymes. Ultrasonography revealed hepatomegaly and a heterogeneous appearance of the hepatic parenchyma. The horse did not improve despite supportive care, and it was euthanatized. Necropsy revealed numerous raised white to gray foci in the liver. Histologically, these foci consisted of neoplastic cells that resembled fetal hepatocytes, embryonal-type cells, and cells with features intermediate between those 2 cell types. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that hepatocytes stained strongly with anti-alpha-fetoprotein. On the basis of these results, hepatoblastoma was diagnosed. Diagnosis of hepatoblastoma is difficult, because it can appear histologically similar to other hepatic tumors, such as hepatocellular carcinomas. Definitive diagnosis requires histologic evaluation of tumor architecture and cell morphology. Immunohistochemical staining for alpha-fetoprotein in tumor cells may serve as a tumor marker but is not pathognomonic of hepatoblastoma. Paraneoplastic syndromes, such as erythrocytosis, can accompany hepatoblastoma. The prognosis for horses with hepatoblastoma is grave.

Ultrasonography can be used to accurately measure and evaluate the musculoskeletal structures of the pelvis of horses. The use of CT, MRI, and measurements of frozen sections provided a means of validating the ultrasonographic measurements. Reference range values determined in our study can be used to evaluate horses with suspected pelvic disease.

Thoracic rib resection can provide access to diaphragmatic hernias in adult horses. Thoracoscopy or a flank incision, or both, may aid in determining which rib is best resected.

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A 440-kg, 25-year-old Quarter horse mare presented to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center for assessment of recurrent airway obstruction. She had exhibited a seasonal (summer and fall) cough for the past 5 years. The latest cough began 4 months before presentation and did not respond to treatment with dexamethasone or prednisone. The mare was housed on pasture and fed alfalfa hay and sweet feed. Vaccinations and deworming were current. The mare was in good body condition and had a normal rectal temperature and heart rate. The facial pulse was weak, most likely because of dehydration, which was estimated at 5%. Tachypnea (40 breaths per minute) and marked dyspnea with a pronounced expiratory effort were present and auscultation disclosed wheezes in the caudoventral lung fields bilaterally. No other abnormalities were detected on physical examination. Endoscopy of the upper airway was unremarkable, but foam and mucus were present in the trachea.Tracheal wash fluid obtained through the endoscope contained mostly nondegenerate neutrophils with lesser numbers of macrophages. Actinobacillus suis, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Aspergillus spp. were grown from the tracheal wash fluid and deemed to be contaminants because of the low colony counts. A bronchointerstitial pattern, most prominent in the caudoventral lung fields was present on radiographic examination. Ultrasonography of the thorax exposed well-aerated peripheral pulmonary parenchyma with small hypoechoic areas of irregularity of the lung surface scattered bilaterally. Mild hypoxia was apparent in an arterial blood gas sample from the transverse facial artery (PaO 2 , PaCO 2 , and pH were 79.0 mm Hg, 45.5 mm Hg, and 7.449, respectively; normal values 95.6 6 11.43 and 40.53 6 4.14 mm Hg and 7.417 6 0.03, 1 respectively). A leukocytosis characterized by mature neutrophilia was suggestive of a stress leukogram because it was present on the day of admission only.Intravenous fluid therapy was initiated to correct dehydration. Furosemide (1.1 mg/kg IV), atropine (0.01 mg/kg IV), and intranasal oxygen initially were given with no improvement. Clenbuterol (1.7 mg/kg PO q12h), phenylbutazone (4.5 mg/kg IV once then 2.3 mg/ kg IV q24h), and dexamethasone (0.1 mg/kg IV q24h) were given for 4 days with no effect. Guafenesin (3 mg/ kg PO) was given once to help remove mucus from the airways. Inhaled albuterol (720 mg q6h) produced only mild improvement in respiratory effort and rate. a Echocardiography disclosed high-velocity end diastolic pulmonary insufficiency and enlargement of the pulmonary artery diameter compared with aortic diameter. Both findings were indicative of pulmonary hypertension. 2 All other variables obtained during echocardiography were normal (Table 1). Vascular pressures were recorded with a 160-cm balloon-tipped catheter placed in the right jugular vein. Right ventricular and pulmonary artery systolic pressures were 142 and 137 mm Hg, respectively (normal values 45.84 6 5.76 and 42.12 6 5.22 mm Hg). Mean right atrial, right ventricular, p...

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Summary Reasons for performing study: The pelvis is covered with extensive musculature and often presents a challenge in diagnostic imaging. Ultrasonography provides diagnostic information about soft tissue, articular cartilage and bone surfaces, although little information exists about the normal ultrasonographic appearance of the equine sacroiliac region. Objectives: To determine the clinical applicability of ultrasonographic examination in horses with sacroiliac pain. Methods: Horses presented to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Teaching Hospital for hindlimb lameness were evaluated and lower limb lameness was ruled out with examination and local anaesthesia. Twenty cases were diagnosed with sacroiliac pain, characterised by response to palpation over the tuber sacrale. Seven of the 20 had visible a symmetry of the tuber sacrale. Ultrasonography was performed percutaneously and per rectum. Structures imaged were measured and compared to normal reference measurements. Other methods used to confirm diagnoses included thermography, scintigraphy and radiology. Results: All 20 cases with sacroiliac pain showed ultrasonographic abnormalities of the sacroiliac area. Abnormalities were detected in the dorsal sacroiliac ligaments. Ligament size was significantly different from the normal ranges (P<0.01). Malalignment of the sacroiliac area and sacral fractures were also imaged. Conclusions: Ultrasonography of the sacroiliac region aided diagnosis of ligament damage and displacement of bone surfaces; and may aid in monitoring the progression of healing. Potential relevance: Diagnostic ultrasound is readily available to most practitioners. Therefore the findings of this study show that diagnosis of sacroiliac injuries is possible in the field.