NOVEMBER 2022


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reviewed. Follow-up information was obtained via telephone contact. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography and contrast tenography were determined using tenoscopic diagnosis as gold standard, and univariable analysis was used to explore associations between signalment, case history and tenoscopic diagnosis. A total of 131 horses were identified, of which 61 were


Warmbloods. Eight horses had bilateral disease and six horses were presented for tenoscopy on two separate occasions (three for tenoscopy in the same limb and three in a different limb) making a total of 145 limbs. Lesions were most diagnosed in the deep (DDFT, 55 limbs) and superficial (SDFT, 55 limbs) digital flexor tendons. Manica flexoria (MF) lesions were detected in 44 limbs and palmar/plantar annular ligament (PAL) constriction in 99 limbs. In 36 limbs, only one structure within the DFTS was injured, whereas in 109 limbs, a combination of lesions was noted, the most common being the combination of a SDFT lesion with PAL constriction. All affected limbs were examined with diagnostic ultrasonography; contrast tenography was performed in 86 limbs. For diagnosis of MF and DDFT tears, tenography was more sensitive (89%; 72%, respectively) than specific (64%; 53%, respectively), whereas ultrasonography was more specific (92%; 92%) with lower sensitivity (64%; 54%). For SDFT lesions, ultrasonography was highly specific (94%) with lower sensitivity (66%). Follow-up information following first surgery was obtained for 118 horses (132 limbs): 18/118 (15.3%) horses remained chronically lame, 40 (33.8%) performed at a reduced level and 60 (50.8%) performed at the same or higher level following rehabilitation after tenoscopy. Horses with DDFT lesions had the poorest outcomes with only 36.6% returning to the same or higher level of exercise. Diagnostic imaging techniques were complimentary,


contrast tenography was sensitive and ultrasonography was specific for the diagnosis of MF and DDFT lesions. More than one pathology was identified in 75% of limbs. Following tenoscopic surgery, approximately half the cases were able to return to pre-injury level of exercise.


Physiotherapy and rehabilitation


In this study, UK-based Emma Sayers and Gillian Tabor explored the clinical reasoning and practices of veterinary physiotherapists during rehabilitation of horses following interspinous ligament desmotomy surgery. Semi-structured interviews were performed with six


members of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy. The data were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Five themes were identified as relevant to the participants’


clinical reasoning. These related to structure of the assessment, modalities and reasoning of treatment, involvement of owner and veterinarian and the impact of comorbidities. The data highlight several different factors that influence clinical reasoning and decision-making throughout the rehabilitation. An insight into practices involved is also documented. The process of clinical reasoning and decision-making


described appears complex. Both owner and veterinarian inputs are important and require the physiotherapist’s consideration. Decisions regarding assessment and treatment are influenced by many factors. A mixture of clinical experience and research evidence was used as support.


Ocular abnormalities in draught horses


This study by Colleen Sheridan and co-workers aimed to determine the prevalence of ocular disease in draught horses of various breeds and ages in the United States. Nondilated ophthalmic examination was performed using


slit lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy. Intraocular pressures were measured when possible. A total of 165 draught horses were examined, ranging in


age from 10 days to 33 years (mean 10.8 years, median 10 years); 87 geldings (52.7%), 71 mares (43.0%), 7 stallions (4.2%); 64 Percherons (38.8%), 51 Belgians (30.9%), 29 Clydesdales (17.6%), 15 Shires (9%), and 6 other draught breed (3.6%). Intraocular pressure: mean 24.7 mmHg OD, range 13–37 mmHg; mean 25.0 mmHg OS, range 11– 37 mmHg. Vision-threatening disease was present in 9 horses (5.5%): 1 complete cataract, 1 post-traumatic optic nerve atrophy, 1 uveitis and secondary glaucoma, 1 retinal detachment, 3 large chorioretinal scars and 2 phthisis bulbi. Nonvision-threatening ocular disease was present in 56 horses (33.9%) involving one or more ocular structures: 14 eyelid trauma/notch defects (8.5%), 12 SCC-type adnexal lesions (7.3%), 16 corneal scars (9.7%), 6 keratitis (3.6%), 15 corpora nigra cysts (9.1%), 50 incipient/punctate cataracts (30.3%), 10 vitreous degenerations (6.1%), 1 asteroid hyalosis, 3 ‘bullethole’ chorioretinal scars and 1 RPE coloboma. Linear keratopathy was present in 28 horses (17%) with two of 28 having concurrent vision-threatening ocular disease. Ocular abnormalities, in particular minor cataracts, were


relatively common in this population, but not typically vision- threatening. This study demonstrated a greater prevalence of linear keratopathy in draught horses compared with reports in other breeds; however, it does not appear to be associated with concurrent ocular disease.


S. WRIGHT EVE Editorial Office


References 1 Cender, A.N., M€


ahlmann, K., Ehrle, A., Merle, R., Pieper, L. &


Lischer, C.J. (2022) Diagnosis and outcome following tenoscopic surgery of the digital flexor tendon sheath in German sports and pleasure horses. Equine Veterinary Journal; Epub ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13856


2 Garrett, K.S., Embertson, R.M., Hopper, S.A., Woodie, J.B. & McQuerry, K.J. (2022) Preoperative computed tomographic evaluation of neonatal foals with rib fractures. Veterinary Surgery, 51, 816–826.


3 Miagkoff, L., Girard, C.A., St-Jean, G., Richard, H., Beauchamp, G. & Laverty, S. (2022) Cannabinoid receptors are expressed in equine synovium and upregulated with synovitis. Equine Veterinary Journal; Epub ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13860


4 Rahman, A., Uzal, F.A., Hassebroek, A.M. & Carvallo, F.R. (2022) Retrospective study of pneumonia in non-racing horses in California. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 34, 587–593.


5 Sayers, E. & Tabor, G. (2022) An exploration of clinical reasoning and practices used by physiotherapists in the rehabilitation of horses following interspinous ligament desmotomy surgery. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 38, 897–907.


6 Sheridan, C.K., Myrna, K.E., Nunnery, C.M. & Czerwinski, S.L. (2022) Survey of ocular abnormalities in draft horses. Veterinary Ophthalmology. https://doi.org/10.1111/vop.13009 Online ahead of print.


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