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Objective: To report the performance of thoroughbred racehorses after surgical repair of a medial condylar fracture of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bone.Study design: Retrospective cohort study. Sample population: Forty-three horses surgically treated for medial condylar fractures, 30 with previous racing experience, 13 without previous racing experience (nonexperienced).Methods: Medical records (2009-2017) were reviewed for signalment, radiographic fracture characteristics, repair technique, and postoperative morbidity and mortality. Each experienced horse was matched with two horses randomly selected from its most recent race to serve as healthy controls. Racing performance parameters (race rating, competitive level, speed rating, performance index) and career racing statistics were compared with multiple regression models between injured experienced horses and controls. The career racing statistics for nonexperienced horses were evaluated. Reasons for nonreturn to racing were obtained. Results: The median duration of follow-up was 6 years (minimum 2, maximum 10). Twenty-one of 43 (49%) horses raced again as well as 18 of 30 (60%) experienced horses and three of 13 (23%) nonexperienced horses. Experienced horses were five times more likely than nonexperienced horses to return to racing (95% confidence interval = 0.07-0.58, P = .003). Higher preoperative racing performance parameters were associated with return to racing. Racing performance parameters were lower after the date of fracture in injured horses compared with controls.

Objective The aim of this study was to describe the signalment, clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, medical and surgical treatment and outcome of 22 farm animals diagnosed with a vertebral fracture or luxation. Study design Medical records of 22 farm animals (7 goats, 6 alpacas, 5 cattle, 3 sheep and 1 deer) were reviewed for signalment, history, presenting clinical signs and neurological examination findings, clinicopathological results, diagnostic imaging, final diagnosis, medical and surgical management, clinical progression and outcome. Results Animals' age ranged from 1 day to 15 years. Neurological examination findings included decreased motor function (20/22), recumbency (14/22), altered mentation (13/22), cranial nerve deficits (4/22) and lack of nociception (3/22). Lesions were localized to the atlanto-occipital region (2/22), C1 to C5 (7/22), C6 to T2 (4/22), T3 to L3 (3/22), and L4 to S1 (6/22). Diagnoses included vertebral fracture only (4/22), luxation only (5/22) or both vertebral fracture and luxation (13/22). In five cases, no therapy was attempted, while 12 cases were treated medically and five cases were treated surgically. Surgical interventions included manual reduction (n = 1); arthrodesis (n = 2); laminectomy (n = 1); and laminectomy with pin fixation, cerclage wire and polymethylmethacrylate bridging (n = 1). Five of the 22 cases survived to hospital discharge; two of these were treated surgically. Conclusion The cervical region was most commonly affected. Prognosis for these injuries in farm animals is guarded.

Objective To determine risk factors, especially age, associated with postoperative reflux (POR; >2 L of reflux present upon intubation), high‐volume POR (≥20 L in 24 hours), and short‐term outcome after small intestinal (SI) surgery. Study design Retrospective case‐control study. Sample population Horses aged ≥16 years (geriatric; range, 16–30; n = 44) and <16 years (mature; range, 2–15; n = 39) with an SI surgical lesion that survived general anesthesia and did not have a second exploratory celiotomy during the same visit. Methods Medical records (2009–2015) were reviewed; perioperative variables were evaluated for associations with outcomes by using multivariable logistic regression. Results Postoperative reflux was associated with an increasing packed cell volume at admission (odds ratio [OR], 1.08; 95% CI, 1.00–1.16; P = .042) and presence of nasogastric reflux at admission (OR, 4.61; 95% CI, 1.3–15.69; P = .014). High‐volume POR was associated with an increasing glycemia at admission (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.01–1.40; P = .041), presence of nasogastric reflux at admission (OR, 10.05; 95% CI, 2.21–45.74; P = .003), and SI resection (OR, 10.52; 95% CI, 1.81–61.25; P = .009). Increasing surgical time (OR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.16–5.29; P = .019) and high‐volume POR (OR, 6.37; 95% CI, 2.12–19.12; P = .001) were associated with nonsurvival. Conclusion Age, considered as both a continuous variable and a categorical variable, was not associated with the development of POR, high‐volume POR, or nonsurvival. Clinical significance Age does not influence the occurrence of POR and should not negatively impact an owner's decision to pursue surgery in aged horses.

Background: Facial nerve paralysis (FNP) in equids is not well described in the veterinary literature.Objective: To investigate the causes of FNP and associations among clinical variables, diagnosis, and outcome.Animals: Sixty-four equids presenting with FNP between July 2000 and April 2019.Cases of postanesthetic FNP were excluded.Methods: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Variables were evaluated for associations with outcomes (diagnosis and case outcome) using logistic regression.Results: The most common cause of FNP was trauma (n = 20). Additional diagnoses included central nervous system (CNS) disease (n = 16), idiopathic (n = 12, 4 of which had adequate diagnostic investigation and were considered "true" idiopathic, and 8 of which were considered "not investigated" idiopathic), temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (n = 10), otitis media-interna (n = 3), lymphoma (n = 1), iatrogenic as a consequence of infiltration of local anesthetic (n = 1), and clostridial myositis (n = 1).Follow-up was available for 55 (86%) cases. Twenty-nine (53%) equids had full resolution of FNP, 14 (25%) were euthanized, 6 (11%) partially improved, and 6 (11%) were unchanged or worse. Conclusions and ClinicalImportance: If FNP is the consequence of CNS disease, successful treatment of the primary disease likely leads to resolution of FNP. Most cases of FNP in equids are traumatic in origin. True idiopathic cases are uncommon. K E Y W O R D S cranial nerve, equine, neurological deficits, ophthalmology, peripheral neuropathy