Summary Reasons for performing study: Complications of osteosynthesis including superficial and deep infections continue to affect adversely outcome in equine surgery of the lower limb. Objective: To describe a technique for minimally invasive plate fixation in horses and evaluate clinical results of the technique. Hypothesis: Lower complication rates would occur in horses treated with a minimally invasive approach compared with conventional techniques. Methods: Cases of minimally invasive plate fixation from January 1999 to December 2003 were evaluated. Case records, radiographs and race records for horses that sustained distal third metacarpal/metatarsal (Mc/tIII) condylar fractures were assessed. Follow‐up information was obtained and results analysed. In addition, results for horses that received arthrodesis by a conventional, open approach during the same period were evaluated and statistical analysis was performed. Results: Thirty‐two cases of minimally invasive plate fixation were identified (22 incomplete distal Mc/tIII condylar fractures with a spiralling or diaphyseal component, 10 metacar pophalange al arthrodes es and 4 pastern arthrodeses). For both types of arthrodesis, surgery times and infection rates were lower and survival rates higher in the minimally invasive group, but no statistical difference was found. Spiralling condylar fractures were successfully managed, without catastrophic fracture. Conclusions and potential relevance: Minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) can be successfully used for select applications in horses, and may reduce morbidity and mortality in equine fracture repair.

Nervous system infection with B burgdorferi should be considered in horses with evidence of meningitis and high or equivocal serum anti-B burgdorferi antibody titers. Evaluation of immune function is recommended in adult horses evaluated because of primary bacterial meningitis.

On an automated task, humans selected the larger of two sets of items, each created through the one-by-one addition of items. Participants repeated the alphabet out loud during trials so that they could not count the items. This manipulation disrupted counting without producing major effects on other cognitive capacities such as memory or attention, and performance of this experimental group was poorer than that of participants who counted the items. In Experiment 2, the size of individual items was varied, and performance remained stable when the larger numerical set contained a smaller total amount than the smaller numerical set (i.e., participants used numerical rather than nonnumerical quantity cues in making judgements). In Experiment 3, reports of the number of items in a single set showed scalar variability as accuracy decreased, and variability in responses increased with increases in true set size. These data indicate a mechanism for the approximate representation of numerosity in adult humans that might be shared with nonhuman animals.

Surgeons should be aware that tendon sheaths and the carpal sheath in particular appear to have higher odds of developing sepsis following endoscopic surgery.

Summary Gastric impaction associated with large colon volvulus (LCV) was identified in seven horses. Right dorsal displacement of the large colon and suspected nephrosplenic entrapment was identified in 2 of the 7 horses as well as LCV with concurrent gastric impaction. All horses underwent surgery for LCV and none survived. Five horses died or were subjected to euthanasia intraoperatively or in recovery. One horse was subjected to euthanasia post operatively due to persistent gastric reflux, following resolution of the gastric impaction. One horse was subjected to euthanasia post operatively due to a suspected gastric rupture, which was confirmed on post mortem examination. It is hypothesised that a large mass in the cranial abdomen, such as a gastric impaction may disrupt the normal anatomical large colon alignment or may cause colonic motility or microbiota alterations, and thus increase the risk of large colon displacement and volvulus.