Allogeneic CB-MSCs reduced synovial fluid cell populations and stimulated mild self-limiting inflammation in the synovitis model. Continued evaluation of the effects of i.a. CB-MSC therapy on synovitis in horses is needed to evaluate anti- and proinflammatory properties of CB-MSCs. Immediate interests are dose, timing of treatment, and treatment frequency.

Objective-To compare surgical preparation time, surgery and anesthesia times, hospitalization duration, and intra- and postoperative complications between laparoscopic and conventional open cryptorchidectomy in horses. Design-Retrospective cohort study. Animals-60 horses that underwent cryptorchidectomy. Procedures-Medical records were reviewed to identify horses that had undergone cryptorchidectomy from 1991 to 2012. Thirty horses that underwent laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy (case horses) were matched with 30 control horses that had undergone open cryptorchidectomy (ie, inguinal and parainguinal surgical approaches). Horses were matched according to history of previous surgery, testicle location, and type of closure following removal of an undescended unilateral testicle. Duration of surgery, surgical preparation and anesthesia times, hospitalization duration, and number of intra- and postoperative complications were compared between horses that underwent laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy versus open cryptorchidectomy. Comparisons were also made between horses in terms of whether there was a history of previous failed cryptorchidectomy or unknown location of testicle prior to surgery. Results-Horses that underwent laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy had significantly longer surgery and anesthesia times overall, compared with horses that underwent open cryptorchidectomy. No difference in surgery time was found between case and control horses that had a previous surgical attempt to remove an undescended testicle or in which the testicle location was unknown prior to surgery. Overall, horses undergoing laparoscopy had a nonsignificant increase in intraoperative complications, compared with control horses, and had significantly more postoperative complications. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Horses undergoing laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy had increased surgical preparation time, increased surgery and anesthesia times, and more postoperative complications, compared with horses undergoing open cryptorchictomy. Laparoscopy may be advantageous for a second attempt at cryptorchidectomy or if the testicle location is unknown prior to surgery.

Equine mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are commonly transported, chilled or frozen, to veterinary clinics. These MSC must remain viable and minimally affected by culture, transport, or injection processes. The safety of two carrier solutions developed for optimal viability and excipient use were evaluated in ponies, with and without allogeneic cord blood-derived (CB) MSC. We hypothesized that neither the carrier solutions nor CB-MSC would elicit measurable changes in clinical, hematological, or biochemical parameters. In nine ponies (study 1), a bolus of HypoThermosol® FRS (HTS-FRS), CryoStor® CS10 (CS10), or saline was injected IV (n = 3/treatment). Study 2, following a 1-week washout period, 5 × 107 pooled allogeneic CB-MSCs were administered IV in HTS-FRS following 24 h simulated chilled transport. Study 3, following another 1-week washout period 5 × 107 pooled allogeneic CB-MSCs were administered IV in CS10 immediately after thawing. Nine ponies received CB-MSCs in study 2 and 3, and three ponies received the cell carrier media without cells. CB-MSCs were pooled in equal numbers from five unrelated donors. In all studies, ponies were monitored with physical examination, and blood collection for 7 days following injection. CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte populations were also evaluated in each blood sample. In all three studies, physical exam, complete blood cell count, serum biochemistry, and coagulation panel did not deviate from established normal ranges. Proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes increased at 168 h postinjection in CB-MSC treatment groups regardless of the carrier solution. Decreases in CD4+/CD8+ double positive populations were observed at 24 and 72 h in CB-MSC-treated animals. There was no difference in viability between CB-MSCs suspended in HTS-FRS and CS10. HTS-FRS and CS10 used for low volume excipient injection of MSC suspensions were not associated with short-term adverse reactions. HTS-FRS and CS10 both adequately maintain CB-MSC viability following hypothermic or frozen simulated transport, respectively. CB-MSCs do not elicit clinical abnormalities, but allogeneic stimulation of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte populations may occur. Future studies should include in vitro or in vivo evaluation of cell-mediated or adaptive immunity to autologous, identical allogeneic, or MSC originating from additional unrelated individuals in order to better characterize this response.

A 7-month-old female llama was examined because of chronic otitis media and externa of 7 months' duration. Radiographically, the tympanic bullae appeared thicker than normal, and the ventral borders were poorly defined; the left external acoustic meatus (ear canal) appeared to be narrower than the right. The llama was treated with penicillin, and the ear canals were lavaged daily. Contrast radiography was performed on day 15 to determine the shape and size of the ear canals and evaluate the integrity of the tympanic membranes. Contrast medium was visible radiographically in the left tympanic bulla, indicating that the left tympanic membrane was ruptured, but the right tympanic membrane appeared to be intact. The left ear canal was narrower than the right, and the bony ear canals had a well-defined sigmoid shape. The right ear improved with medial treatment alone, but the left ear did not. Therefore, lateral ear canal resection was performed. After surgery, however, exudate was still evident in the left ear canal, and the llama became more lethargic and more reluctant to eat. Lateral bulla osteotomy was attempted, but no purulent material was obtained, and curettage of the bulla resulted in hemorrhage. Because of this and because of the llama's poor physical condition, a decision was made to euthanatize the llama. The sigmoid shape of the bony ear canal and the multicompartmental nature of the tympanic bulla make surgical treatment of otitis media and externa in llamas difficult. Further study of surgical treatments for otitis media in llamas is needed.

Treatment with ESWT did not accelerate healing of equine distal limb wounds, but treated wounds had less exuberant granulation tissue and appeared healthier than controls. Therefore, ESWT may be useful to prevent exuberant granulation tissue formation and chronic inflammation of such wounds, but further studies are necessary before recommending ESWT for clinical application.