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EQUINE VETERINARY EDUCATION


Equine vet. Educ. (2020) 32 (8) 394-395 doi: 10.1111/eve.13333


Highlights of recent clinically relevant papers


Wound healing This randomised, blinded, controlled study by Peter Michanek and colleagues in Sweden investigated how pulsating visible


red light (k 637 nm) and near-infra red (NIR) light (k 956 nm), affects swelling and wound healing in healthy horses.


Eight healthy adult Standardbred horses had a full-


thickness skin wound created using a custom made, 2 cm diameter circular punch on both sides of their neck under sedation and local anaesthesia. The wounds were left uncovered to heal by secondary intention. One wound per horse was randomly allocated to receive light-emitting diode (LED) treatment on Days 0–4, 7–11, 14–18 and 21–25, with the wound on the opposite side of the neck acting as an untreated control. Treatment was conducted using a handheld device (BCD 650 Animal, Biolight AB) using a pre- set programme with a duration of 4 min and 40 s (red light was emitted for 95 s and NIR light for 185 s). The wounds were evaluated ultrasonographically for swelling and photographed daily. Wounds were considered to be healed when an epithelial layer covered the entire wound surface. None of the wounds showed clinical signs of infection


over the study period. Wound area and degree of swelling did not differ between the treated and control groups on any day. There was a significant difference in healing time between control and treated wounds, with LED light-treated wounds taking longer to heal than control wounds. No positive effect of LEDs on experimental wound healing was found.


Faecal sand clearance


In this randomised, placebo-controlled, blinded clinical trial Diana Hassel and colleagues from Colorado State University evaluated the efficacy of a product containing probiotics, prebiotics and psyllium in the clearance of colonic sand in horses with naturally acquired sand accumulation. Sand accumulation, determined by both auscultation


and abdominal radiography, was identified in 10 horses. Changes in colonic sand content was quantitatively assessed in response to management changes combined with treatment with the probiotic/psyllium product or no treatment. Faecal sand output was monitored in both groups via sand sedimentation analysis of faecal samples every 3 days for 35 days and with pre- and post-treatment abdominal radiography. There was a significant reduction in sand accumulation in


both treatment and control groups, but there were no significant differences between treatment and control groups in clearance of colonic sand as measured by both faecal sand sedimentation and quantitative radiography.


Care of geriatric horses


The aim of this study by Megan Ballou and colleagues in the USA was to understand the experience of caring for a geriatric horse with a chronic condition. An anonymous, online questionnaire was distributed to investigate the burden of caregivers from the perspective of


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owners of geriatric horses. Traumatic events and veterinary care decisions were also explored. Findings from the study supported the hypothesis that owners of geriatric horses with a chronic condition experienced higher levels of physical and emotional care burden, regardless of the age of the geriatric horse. Attachment levels reported by the 1448 participants were high, regardless of the health status of the horse. A chronic condition in their horse was reported by 68.8% (n = 996) of owners of geriatric horses. This study provides the equine practitioner with a greater


understanding of the care burden experienced by owners of geriatric horses, particularly horses with a chronic condition, who rely on their veterinarian to guide their management and health care decisions. Veterinarians can help prepare and support clients as they navigate the complexities of caring for an older horse with a chronic condition.


Cardiology


This study by Lisse Vera and colleagues in Belgium investigated whether arterial wall stiffness increases with age in horses, as it does with humans. Cardiovascular ultrasound and non-invasive blood


pressure measurement were performed simultaneously on 50 young (3–7 years) and 50 old (>18 years) healthy Warmblood horses. Arterial diameters, cross-sectional areas, and arterial wall thickness were measured. Arterial wall stiffness of the aorta and common carotid artery were assessed using pulse wave velocity. Lumen area/diameter change, strain, compliance, and distensibility were also calculated to assess local arterial wall stiffness. No difference in blood pressure was found between age


groups. All systolic and diastolic arterial diameters and the thickness of the common carotid artery were significantly greater in the old horses. The aorta and caudal common carotid artery local arterial wall stiffness and pulse wave velocities were significantly higher in the old horses. Arterial stiffness and wall thickness increase with age in horses.


Distal limb immobilisation


This study, by Holly Stewart and colleagues at Colorado State University, described the effects of distal limb immobilisation and remobilisation in the equine metacarpophalangeal joint. One forelimb of each of eight healthy, skeletally mature


horses was immobilised in a fibreglass cast for 8 weeks, followed by 12 weeks of treadmill-based training after the cast had been removed. Clinical examinations, radiography, computed tomography (CT), nuclear scintigraphy, MRI, and histomorphometry were used to examine the third metacarpal bone (McIII), proximal phalanx, proximal sesamoid bones, and associated soft tissues in each horse. Serum and synovial fluid were collected for biomarker analyses. Distal limb immobilisation resulted in persistent lameness,


effusion, and a decreased range of motion as well as radiographically visible fragments in the cast forelimb. Bone density was decreased in McIII according to CT, and trabecular bone fluid was increased according to MRI in the

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