Several hematologic and cardiorespiratory variables that are easily measured preoperatively and intraoperatively show good correlation with postanesthetic survival in horses undergoing surgical correction of LCV. These measurements might be useful for prognosticating survival in horses admitted for correction of LCV ≥ 360(ο) .

A 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, which was used as a pleasure horse, was referred for advanced imaging because of a hind limb lameness of 4 months' duration. At the time of referral, lameness in the right hind limb was graded 3 of 5 1 at a trot in a straight line and while circling to the left and right. Upper limb flexion of the right hind limb exacerbated the lameness. Moderate tarsocrural joint effusion was noted.The referring veterinarian previously had observed a 50% improvement in lameness with a low 4-point nerve block (ie, anesthesia of the medial and lateral plantar nerves and medial and lateral plantar metatarsal nerves). As perineural anesthesia findings were inconclusive, nuclear scintigraphy of the right hind limb was performed (Figure 1) followed by radiographic evaluation of the right tarsus (Figure 2).

Sensitivity and specificity of digital radiography for the diagnosis of large colon enterolithiasis in equids was high. Sensitivity of digital radiography for detection of small colon enteroliths was lower than that for large colon enteroliths, but was higher than that typically associated with computed radiography. In geographic regions in which enterolithiasis in equids is endemic, digital abdominal radiography could be used as a diagnostic test for equids with colic.

The SPF wound dressing improved some measures of wound healing compared with the control dressing, most significantly during the first 30 days. This suggests that the SPF wound dressing may be useful in the early management of wounds on the equine lower limb. Further studies using the SPF dressing are needed to characterize the temporal and cellular effects on wound healing and evaluate this dressing in a clinical environment.