The diagnostic protocol described is recommended for the investigation of headshakers. Caudal compression offers the best prognosis for a successful outcome compared with other treatments, for horses in which the only alternative is euthanasia. Surgical treatment of the disorder requires refinement, and the pathogenesis of the disorder requires investigation.

Summary A 13‐year‐old Swedish Warmblood mare was presented for evaluation of a mass on the medial aspect of the left vertical ear canal. The mass was initially resected using monopolar loop diathermy. Histopathological diagnosis of the excisional biopsy was a low‐grade malignant ceruminous adenocarcinoma. The clinical and histopathological features of this previously unreported neoplasm in the horse are described. A modified vertical ear canal ablation was performed in order to remove the base of the neoplasm with adequate free margins. The surgical technique is described. No recurrence was noted 2 years after surgery and the appearance and function of the pinna were retained.

SummaryReasons for performing study: The success of primary healing of equine traumatic wounds is dependent on thorough debridement. A specific hydrosurgical debridement device (Versajet TM ) a is gentle to viable tissues, yet effectively removes macroscopic contaminants and debris. We wished to investigate whether it is effective in reducing bacterial burden and whether it differs from traditional methods. No previous reports compare hydrosurgical debridement and conventional wound debridement with regard to bacterial reduction from in vitro inoculated soft tissue. Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of hydrosurgical debridement in reducing the Staphylococcus aureus load from in vitro inoculated equine muscle compared with conventional wound debridement methods. Study design: In vitro experimental study. Methods: The surface of equine masseter muscle was inoculated with a S. aureus broth and subsequently debrided using one of the following 4 methods: saline irrigation; sharp debridement; saline irrigation and sharp debridement; or hydrosurgical debridement. Tissue samples for quantitative cultures were collected before and after debridement, and the colony-forming units per gram of tissue were calculated and log transformed. The reductions in bacterial counts were analysed statistically using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and Friedman two-way ANOVA. Results: Hydrosurgical debridement was more effective than conventional debridement methods in reducing the S. aureus load (P<0.05). Hydrosurgical debridement reduced the bacterial load by 99.7%, in comparison to saline irrigation and sharp debridement (87.4%), sharp debridement (82.2%) and saline irrigation (46.0%). Conclusions: Hydrosurgical debridement reduces the S. aureus load from in vitro contaminated equine muscle significantly more than conventional debridement methods.

Pyelonephritis is a serious condition that is rarely described in horses. In contrast, urinary tract infections are common in humans and small animals, and multi‐drug‐resistant urinary infections are an emerging threat. In this report, we describe a horse with unilateral pyelonephritis caused by extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase‐producing bacteria belonging to the Enterobacter cloacae complex. [Correction added on 9 August 2023, after first online publication: The preceding sentence was corrected.] An 11‐year‐old Swedish warmblood gelding was diagnosed with a cystolith and a cystotomy through an open left para‐inguinal approach was performed. Seven days after surgery the horse presented with pyrexia, dullness and colic. Diagnostic testing and renal transabdominal ultrasonography confirmed the presence of a right‐sided pyelonephritis. Culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed a pure growth of extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamases‐producing E. cloacae complex bacteria with resistance against beta‐lactams, aminoglycoside and trimethoprim–sulphonamide classes. Treatment included prolonged oral antimicrobials according to susceptibility testing results (enrofloxacin), judicious use of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, fluid therapy and gastric ulcer prophylaxis. The horse recovered successfully and is currently in good health (follow‐up of 5 years). Once the infection resolved, unilateral renal scarring occurred. Multidrug‐resistant upper‐urinary infections occur in horses and should be considered in a post‐surgical patient that develops fever. Early diagnosis, urine bacterial culturing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were crucial in this case to successful management.

No abstract

No abstract