Echocardiography has become a routine non-invasive cardiac diagnostic tool in most species. Accurate measurement of cardiac dimensions requires reference values, which are poorly documented in goats. The aim of the present study was to test the inter-day repeatability and to establish the reference values of two-dimensional (2D-) and time-motion (M-) mode echocardiographic variables in healthy adult Saanen goats. Six goats were investigated three times by the same observer at one-day interval using a standardised 2D- and M-mode echocardiographic protocol. The intra-observer inter-day repeatability was tested using analysis of variance, calculation of the coefficient of variation and confidence intervals. A single echocardiographic examination was performed in six other goats, and values obtained in the 12 goats were used to establish the 2D- and M-mode echocardiographic reference values in healthy adult female Saanen goats. Statistical analysis revealed a good inter-day repeatability of the echocardiographic cardiac measurements. Echocardiographic reference values obtained in healthy adult Saanen goats seemed slightly higher than those reported in healthy Swedish domestic goats and were similar to those reported in healthy adult sheep.

Lesions of the manica flexoria are a tenoscopic finding in horses with digital flexor tendon sheath tenosynovitis. This retrospective case series study describes the ultrasonographic findings in seven horses admitted for digital flexor tendon sheath swelling associated with lameness and tenoscopic confirmation of a manica flexoria tear. Six horses had a partial manica flexoria tear, one a complete rupture. The ultrasonographic examination included a static examination on the weight and non-weight bearing limb and a dynamic limb assessment during flexion and extension. The main ultrasonographic finding at the static weight bearing examination in horses with a partial tear was an asymmetrical appearance of the manica flexoria at the level of the junction with the lateral border of the superficial digital flexor tendon, or an incomplete visualization of the manica flexoria in case of complete rupture. The split edges of the completed ruptured manica flexoria were seen floating in the synovial fluid at the examination in flexion. In six of seven cases, the superficial digital flexor tendon slid abnormally relative to the deep digital flexor tendon, during flexion/extension movements, with medial displacement of the superficial digital flexor tendon, appearance of an anechoic gap between the flexor tendons or reduced superficial digital flexor tendon sliding. Because ultrasonographic diagnosis of the manica flexoria tear is considered challenging, detection of these ultrasonographic features is helpful to increase the likelihood of identifying manica flexoria tears prior to tenoscopy. Authors recommend static ultrasonographic examination of the manica flexoria using a flexed limb position and dynamic ultrasonographic examination using flexion and extension positioning for horses with suspected digital sheath injury.

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SummaryIntervertebral disc disease in the cervical and cranial thoracic vertebrae is unusual in horses and the majority of documented cases have been associated with infection and resulted in ataxia. The current retrospective study documents the clinical and imaging features, and outcome in eight Equidae with neck stiffness ± forelimb lameness (n = 3) or ataxia (n = 2) assessed during a 10‐year period at two clinics. The Equidae (one donkey and seven horses) ranged in age from 1.5 to 12 years (median 5.5 years). The duration of clinical signs ranged from 1 to 6 months (median 1.5 months). The donkey had a depressed demeanour. All Equidae had reduced range of neck movement. The donkey and one horse showed mild and severe ataxia respectively. Two horses showed a propensity to stumble on each forelimb, one of which exhibited forelimb lameness on the lunge or ridden. Two additional horses showed lameness in hand. One horse experienced ‘neck locking’ during grazing. Radiological abnormalities were identified involving the intervertebral symphysis between the sixth cervical vertebra (C6) and C7 in four Equidae; in two horses the articulation between C7 and the first thoracic vertebra (T1) was involved. One horse had abnormalities of the intervertebral symphyses of both C7 and T1, and T1 and T2. In one horse the articulation between C2 and 3 was affected. The donkey was treated with a prolonged course of doxycycline and improved. An advanced dressage horse returned to full‐function after surgical fusion of the affected intervertebral symphysis. Intervertebral disc disease is a rare cause of neck stiffness ± lameness or ataxia.

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