In this ex vivo study, both closure techniques and both suture types appeared to be acceptable for laparoscopic closure of the urinary bladder in adult horses.

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is frequently used to assist with the healing of challenging wounds or surgical incisions.NPWT applies sub-atmospheric pressure to a wound through a sealed dressing that draws exudate while applying mechanical pressure to the tissue bed. The negative pressure applied to the surrounding skin and wound bed improves vascularity, removes wound exudate, and reduces interstitial oedema (Stanley, 2017). This modulates the inflammatory and proliferative responses of wound healing, reduces the bacterial burden in the tissue bed, and relieves tension on the surrounding skin edges (Glass & Nanchahal, 2012;Stanley, 2017).Negative pressure wound therapy has been used in human medicine for acute and chronic wounds, infected and noninfected wounds, open incisions or those with primary closure, and reconstructive techniques at risk of dehiscence (Glass & Nanchahal, 2012). NPWT is commonly applied to skin grafts, incisions at high risk for dehiscence, diabetic and pressure ulcers, and to assist with the closure of open abdomens (

Background The addition of calcium to resuscitation fluids is a common practice in horses, but studies evaluating the effects of calcium supplementation are limited. In healthy horses, decreases in heart rate and changes in serum electrolyte concentrations have been reported. Hypothesis Calcium gluconate administration at a rate of 0.4 mg/kg/min to eliminated endurance horses with metabolic problems will affect heart rate, gastrointestinal sounds, and serum electrolyte concentrations. Animals Endurance horses eliminated from the Tevis Cup 100‐mile (160 km) endurance ride for metabolic problems and requiring IV fluid therapy were eligible. Methods Sixteen horses were randomly assigned to receive 0.4 mg/kg/min of calcium (23% calcium gluconate solution) over 1 hour diluted in 10 L of a non‐calcium containing isotonic crystalloid (CAL group) or 10 L of a non‐calcium containing isotonic crystalloid (CON group). Staff members administering the fluids were blinded to treatment group. Blood samples were collected and physical examinations performed before and after treatment. Heart rates were recorded every 15 min during fluid administration. Data were compared using 2‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures for continuous variables and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. Results Calcium was associated with lower heart rates 45 min after starting the infusion (P = .002). Gastrointestinal sounds were less likely to improve in the calcium group compared with the control group (P = .005). An increase in plasma phosphorus concentration (P = .03) was associated with calcium administration. Conclusions Intravenous calcium supplementation to endurance horses eliminated from competition after development of metabolic problems may decrease heart rate but impairs improvement in gastrointestinal sounds.

ObjectiveTo determine factors associated with frequency and outcome of equid emergencies in private practice.DesignRetrospective study from February 2019 to January 2020.SettingPrivate practice large animal hospital.AnimalsA total of 3071 equids of various breeds and ages presenting for emergency care.InterventionsNone.Measurements and Main ResultsVariables included for analysis of daily emergency frequency included day of the week, month, and daily climate data. A Poisson regression model found the maximum temperature (P = 0.05), average barometric pressure (P = 0.005), and decreases in barometric pressure (P = 0.05) were associated with an increasing daily number of emergencies. Overall survival for all emergencies was 89% (2748/3071). Variables included for analysis of nonsurvival for emergencies included signalment, body system, clinical examination findings, laboratory data, and experience of the veterinarian. A logistic regression model for primary emergencies (nonreferral) found that increasing age, increasing heart rate, and decreased gastrointestinal sounds were associated with an increase in nonsurvival. Body system and experience of the veterinarian affected nonsurvival. A logistic regression model for all emergencies (primary and referral) found that absent gastrointestinal sounds and an increasing PCV were associated with increased nonsurvival.ConclusionsThe number of daily emergencies in this practice was affected by the month of the year and day of the week. Additionally, hotter days, increased barometric pressure, or drops in barometric pressure are likely to be associated with a higher emergency caseload. Nonsurvival of primary equid emergencies in private practice increases with age, higher heart rates, and decreased gastrointestinal sounds.