Les tendinopathies et desmopathies des régions métacarpienne et –tarsienne: revue des thérapies actuelles. Seconde partie : les traitements

in Annales de Médecine Vétérinaire (2010), 154(1), 1-15

Lesions to the horse’s tendon are very frequent and are a non negligible reason for early retirement of sport and leisure horses. For decades man has been searching for “the” treatment but unfortunately ... [more ▼]

Lesions to the horse’s tendon are very frequent and are a non negligible reason for early retirement of sport and leisure horses. For decades man has been searching for “the” treatment but unfortunately most of the known treatments have empiric bases and very few have actually proven their real efficiency. Diagnostic techniques like ultrasound allows to better evaluate the improvements made in tendonitis therapies. Stem cells and gene therapy are probably the most innovating of them, but their long-term effectiveness still has to stand the test of times. This article gives an overview of the possible treatments of tendonitis today. [less ▲]

Gestion médicale des myopathies: les premiers gestes

in Pratique Vétérinaire Equine (2009), 41(numero special), 119-126

Les nouveaux outils d’investigation des myopathies « typiques » et atypique.

(2008, October)

This paper aims at describing new investigation tools that are currently under development. Oxymetry, electron spin resonance and myeloperoxidase assays may be applied on muscle sample taken by ... [more ▼]

This paper aims at describing new investigation tools that are currently under development. Oxymetry, electron spin resonance and myeloperoxidase assays may be applied on muscle sample taken by microbiopsy as well as on culture of myocytes. In a next future, these tools should improve our knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in clinical and subclinical equine myopathies. [less ▲]

Prévalence de l’ostéochondrose chez le cheval de sport en Wallonie

in Annales de Médecine Vétérinaire (2008), 152(3), 131-137

Osteochondrosis (OC), a developmental orthopaedic disease, is consecutive to a defect in the endochondral ossification process, and can result in formation of an osteochondral fragment (osteochondrosis ... [more ▼]

Osteochondrosis (OC), a developmental orthopaedic disease, is consecutive to a defect in the endochondral ossification process, and can result in formation of an osteochondral fragment (osteochondrosis dissecans). Our objective is to establish the prevalence of osteochondrosis in Wallonia, and describe the main observed lesions. One hundred forty-two Warmblood horses, aged from 12 to 36 months, underwent a systematic X-ray examination. Sixty-three of these horses (44.4 %) presented one or more OC lesions, 46 (32.4 %) of them with an articular fragment. This prevalence is similar to those observed in Dutch Warmblood horses (44.3 %). The localisation of the lesions was as follows: 25 (17.6 %) of the experimental group showed one or more lesions in the hindlimbs fetlocks, 23 (16.2 %) in the hocks, 21 (14.8 %) in the stifles and 14 (9.9 %) in the forelimbs fetlocks. The medial ridge of the talus is the most frequently injured anatomical site in our study. This lesion was observed in 12 horses (8.4 %), a prevalence that is by far higher than those observed in Dutch Warmblood horses (2.9 %). Not any significant difference was observed between males and females. The high prevalence and the clinical and economic consequences of this disease in the horse’s industry fully justify further research in order to improve the understanding of its pathogenic process. [less ▲]

Radiographic evolution of the forelimb digit in Ardenner horses from weaning to 28 months of age and its clinical significance

in Journal of Veterinary Medicine. A, Physiology, Pathology, Clinical Medicine (2006), 53(7), 364-370

Ossification of collateral cartilages is a common radiographic finding in draught horses and indication of a high frequency of interphalangeal osteo-arthropathy have been found in Ardenner horses. This ... [more ▼]

Ossification of collateral cartilages is a common radiographic finding in draught horses and indication of a high frequency of interphalangeal osteo-arthropathy have been found in Ardenner horses. This study first aimed at following the evolution of the digits of the forelimbs on radiographic images in a group of 32 Ardenner horses from weaning to 852 +/- 19 days and, secondly, at evaluating the clinical significance of the observed radiographic changes. At 250 +/- 21 days, only 23% of the horses presented a small separate ossification centre of collateral cartilages above the level of the distal sesamoid bone or at the level of the proximal half of the middle phalanx. At 852 +/- 19 days, 100% of the horses presented an ossification of collateral cartilages but at different stages and grades. The presence and the extent of the ossification of the lateral cartilages were not significantly associated with lameness. Phalanges changes appeared at the average age of 1 year and they were represented by entheseophytes on the dorsal surface of the middle and distal phalanges. The frequency of affected horses increased with age as well as the size of the entheseophytes. This may reflect mechanical stresses applied to the interphalangeal joints. A significant association with the presence of lameness was pointed out. The presence and the severity of phalanges changes could be of importance, in combination with a clinical examination, in improving the selection of horses able to assume work and/or leisure activities. [less ▲]

New perspective for field measurement of cardiorespiratory parameters in exercising horses

in Pferdeheilkunde (2006)

This study aimed at testing the feasibility of using the Cosmed K4 b(2(R)) portable telemetric gas analysis system to record metabolic parameters in ridden exercising horses. Adaptation of the Cosmed K4 b ... [more ▼]

This study aimed at testing the feasibility of using the Cosmed K4 b(2(R)) portable telemetric gas analysis system to record metabolic parameters in ridden exercising horses. Adaptation of the Cosmed K4 b(2(R)) to horses' specificities included the design of on airtight face-mask (Equimask(R)) adapted to a hackamore bridle to allow ridding the horse. The portable system enables the recording of tidal volume (VT), respiratory rate (RR), minute expired volume (VE), pulmonary oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide delivery (VCO2), heart rate (HR) and speed. Four saddle horses equipped with the system completed 3 treadmill tests (TT1 to 73) and 1 field test (FT) consisting of galloping phases at incremental speeds. Horses were sampled for blood lactate (LA) during the tests. The successive treadmill tests showed the influence of stress on measurements: with horses becoming accustomed to treadmill, LA and HR were reduced between TT1 and TT3. As VO2 is related to cardiovascular function, influence of stress resulted in higher VO2 in TT1 vs. TT3. The VO2 reached at maximal speed during treadmill tests was lower than the expected maximal aerobic power (VO2max) for trained saddle horses. During FT, the VO2 reached at the final gallop was lower than the VO2 recorded during any of the tread Mill tests thus reflecting the increasing difficulty to reach VO2max with ridden horses in field conditions. This study demonstrated that cardiorespiratory parameters may be obtained in ridden horses during a field trial and opens new perspectives in the follow-up of sport horses in real field conditions. [less ▲]

Juvenile interphalangeal degenerative joint disease in the ardenner horse: radiographical evaluation's protocol (part II)

in Annales de Médecine Vétérinaire (2002), 146(3, JUN-JUL), 173-179

Juvenile interphalangeal degenerative joint disease is frequently observed in ardenner horses. The aim of this study is to established a radiographic examination's protocol of the distal limb and to apply ... [more ▼]

Juvenile interphalangeal degenerative joint disease is frequently observed in ardenner horses. The aim of this study is to established a radiographic examination's protocol of the distal limb and to apply it to ardenner horses. This investigation method takes assess of the standings, the conformation and of the potential lesions of the digits. An essential point of this protocol is the quantification of the asymmetrical articular compression of the interphalangeal joints. Thirty-two ardenner foals of 250 +/- 21 days were radiographied. The most frequently observed anomalies are first, the existence of abnormal standings such as distal interphalangeal flexion and external articular compression of the interphalangeal joints. Second, it shows in some cases, an abnormal conformation of the second phalanx. Finally, this protocol points out the existence of juvenile degenerative joint disease and of ossification of the fibrocartilages in some foals at this age. [less ▲]

Retrospective study of 206 cases of surgical intestinal pathologies in the horse : incidence, diagnosis, prognosis and complications.

in Annales de Médecine Vétérinaire (2000), 144

This retrospective study of 206 surgical colic cases shows the incidence of the different types of pathologies. The small intestine is concerned in 106 (51,5 %) cases with 102 (96 %) strangulation ... [more ▼]

This retrospective study of 206 surgical colic cases shows the incidence of the different types of pathologies. The small intestine is concerned in 106 (51,5 %) cases with 102 (96 %) strangulation obstructions. The remaining 100 cases (48,5 %) are large intestine obstructions with 45 (45 %) strangulation obstructions. The global survival rate is of 51,5 %, of 42,2 % for small intestine and of 61 % for large intestine. A gravity and a shock score permit to define the prognosis before the decision for surgery. The incidence of the postoperative complications is higher (55,2 %) and the time for recovery is significantly longer for small intestinal pathologies than for large intestine affections. Shock and paralytic ileus are the most frequent complications accounting for 65 % of post operative mortalities. The survival rates are significantly different according to gravity and shock score. The time of recovery is also significantly different in function of the shock score. These findings show the importance of rapid diagnosis of the acute abdominal disease in order to improve the outcome. [less ▲]

Radiological Assessment of the Effects of a Full Rolling Motion Shoe During Asymmetrical Bearing

in Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement (1997), (23), 20-2

The authors used a new radiological method to assess asymmetrical articular compression of the interphalangeal joints. This method was based on the measurements of 3 angles obtained on dorsopalmar ... [more ▼]

The authors used a new radiological method to assess asymmetrical articular compression of the interphalangeal joints. This method was based on the measurements of 3 angles obtained on dorsopalmar radiographs. Variations of these angles were studied during experimental asymmetrical bearing on unshod feet. It was concluded that 2 angles were interesting parameters to assess asymmetrical articular compression and to define the position of the phalanx in the horny box. Furthermore, variations of these angles induced by experimental asymmetrical bearing were compared without shoe, with a standard shoe and with an orthopaedic full rolling motion shoe. It was observed that the effects of the asymmetrical bearing were reduced when feet were shod with a full rolling motion shoe. [less ▲]