Lumbar vertebral fractures occur in racehorses with pre-existing pathology at the L5-L6 vertebral junction that is likely predisposes horses to catastrophic fracture. Knowledge of these findings should encourage assessment of the lumbar vertebrae, therefore increasing detection of mild vertebral injuries and preventing catastrophic racehorse and associated jockey injuries.

Summary A 9‐year‐old donkey jenny (212 kg) presented with an acute, nonweight‐bearing left forelimb lameness of 24‐ to 36‐h duration. The limb was held in flexion and abduction, with the toe above the ground, and was unable to be manually straightened. There was significant palpable swelling along the medial aspect of the elbow joint. Radiographic evaluation revealed a medial luxation of the elbow joint with rupture of the medial collateral ligament. Closed reduction was accomplished under injectable anaesthesia without complication. The patient was weight‐bearing and comfortable on the limb immediately upon recovery from anaesthesia. The jenny was tied and kept standing for 60 days. Full limb bandages, splints (extending proximal to the scapula), hobbles, NSAIDs and cold laser therapy were utilised, decreased and discontinued. At 74 days, a rehab programme was initiated. At 8 months post‐injury, the patient was not lame and was back to her previous level of exercise. Although elbow luxation has been described as having a guarded prognosis, there has now been success in 4/5 (80%) reported cases when treatment has been attempted. Closed reduction without surgical intervention in adult animals with elbow luxation can be successful, likely dependent on the level of associated injury.

Summary A 19‐year‐old Quarter Horse gelding was evaluated for respiratory distress and a rapidly enlarging retropharyngeal mass. Initial evaluation revealed severe respiratory distress, and a large, firm mass, visibly appreciable as 12 × 12 cm, in the left retropharyngeal and perilaryngeal region, with surrounding left and right retropharyngeal swelling. No significant abnormalities were present on complete blood count and serum biochemistry analyses. Endoscopy revealed severe pharyngeal collapse restricting airflow without gross abnormalities of the pharyngeal mucosa other than inflammation and irritation. A multilobular retropharyngeal mass, diffusely heterogeneous in echogenicity, was present adjacent to, but not occluding, the carotid artery as assessed by ultrasonography. Initial needle aspirate suggested lymphoma. Tissue biopsy and histopathology confirmed a round cell tumour. A temporary tracheotomy was performed to provide respiratory relief, and the horse was managed on oral antibiotics and anti‐inflammatory medications while awaiting histopathological results. The decision was made to humanely euthanise the horse after biopsy results indicated lymphoma. Definitive diagnosis of T cell rich, large B cell lymphoma was made by combination of cytology, immunohistochemistry and molecular clonality PCR (PARR) testing. Lymphoma should be considered in horses with focal masses of the retropharyngeal region. Although treatment was not pursued, PARR testing was successful in this case and may be helpful for accurate characterisation of lymphoma in horses to more precisely determine prognosis and the most effective treatment plans, as it has been in human patients and small animals.

Objective To assess outcomes and behavior changes associated with bilateral laparoscopic ovariectomies. Study design Retrospective study. Sample population Fifty‐one equids. Methods Medical records were evaluated from equid bilateral laparoscopic ovariectomies from January 2012 to October 2018 with a potential of 6 months follow‐up. Follow‐up information obtained by telephone interviews included behavior before and after surgery. Likelihood ratio chi‐square tests and odds ratios (OR) with 95% CI were calculated where applicable, with statistical significance at p < .05. Results Bilateral ovariectomy was performed in 51 cases, with elective (no pathologic ovaries) ovariectomies performed in 41/51 cases. Occasional estrus‐like behavior was observed postoperatively in 14/51 (27%) mares, but the behavior was mild and manageable in all cases. There was no age effect on outcome in all bilateral (p = .56) or elective only (p = .36) cases. In 37/41 (90%) elective cases, improvement was observed in the reason for presentation. Some response to altrenogest administration for behavior modification was observed preoperatively in 12/18 (67%) elective cases. Response to altrenogest was not associated with (p = .31) or able to predict a beneficial response to surgery (OR = 5.5; 95% CI = 0.38–78.57; p = .21). Conclusion Response to altrenogest in elective cases may not predict behavioral outcome with ovariectomy. Occasional estrus‐like behavior in mares postoperatively was not problematic for any owners. Bilateral ovariectomy is a viable treatment option for owners seeking to alleviate undesirable behavior in mares. Clinical significance This study should aid veterinarians and horse owners in case selection for bilateral ovariectomy.