Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of various treatments for dysphagia after laryngeal surgery.Study design: Retrospective.Animals: Horses treated for dysphagia after laryngeal surgery.Methods: Medical records of horses treated for dysphagia after prosthetic laryngoplasty (PLP) or partial arytenoidectomy (PA) were reviewed. Signalment, prior surgery, preoperative videoendoscopic diagnosis, and surgical treatments were recorded. Short‐ and long‐term follow‐up were obtained. Chi‐square and logistical regression were performed to correlate independent variables and outcomes.Results: Forty‐four percent of horses with prior PLP and 88% of horses with prior PA had persistent resting dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP). Vocal fold augmentation (VFA) as a single treatment was most commonly performed (n = 22), followed by laryngoplasty removal (LPR; n = 1). Fifteen horses received a combination of treatments: VFA (n = 15), LPR (n = 4), laryngeal tie‐forward (LTF; n = 2), and esophageal release (n = 1). Short‐term clinical outcomes were reported; 80% of horses treated with VFA (n = 35) had resolution of dysphagia, and 20% were improved. Among the 33 horses available to long‐term follow‐up, 31 (94%) returned to some level of work, and DDSP during work was reportedly resolved in 23 of 25 horses.Conclusion: Vocal fold augmentation resulted in resolution of symptoms relating to dysphagia in 81% of horses. Twenty percent of horses treated with LPR had sustained resolution of dysphagia. A combination of LPR, VFA, LTF was performed in 18% of horses.Clinical significance: Treatment options directed at altering laryngeal geometry and/or position of the larynx were successful in resolving 86% of dysphagia in horses previously regarded as very difficult to treat.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) luxation in the horse is a rare condition. There are few reports of unilateral luxation with successful reduction; bilateral luxation with concurrent bilateral coronoid fracture has not been reported. The diagnosis and closed reduction technique for rostral TMJ luxation are reported, along with the clinical outcome. A horse with an abnormally open positioned jaw presented for evaluation. Clinical exam showed a fixed open mouth, unable to be manually closed. Radiography showed multiple fractures associated with left and right TMJs. CT provided a more complete appraisal of the luxation and associated coronoid fracture orientation, as well as hyoid apparatus malposition (ie, temporohyoid subluxation). Closed reduction was achieved in this case using a fulcrum speculum between the molars, and a reduction device to forcibly appose the rostral mandible to the premaxilla with the patient anaesthetised. Functional mastication was a positive outcome; a partially phthisical, blind left eye persisted.

Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) is a common cause of lameness in the horse. There is no cure, therefore treatments are aimed at reducing pain and improving the joint environment by modifying inflammatory pathways or by viscosupplementation. Here, we report the safety and efficacy of the biolubricant (poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine; pMPC) to mitigate the physical, gross, histological, and biochemical effects of arthritis. We created an osteochondral fragment in the middle carpal joint of one limb in 16 horses to induce PTOA; the contralateral limb served as a sham-operated joint. Two weeks postoperative, half (n = 8) of the horses received a single injection of pMPC in the PTOA joint, while the other half received saline. All sham-operated joints (n = 16) received saline. We conducted clinical evaluations weekly while synovial fluid biomarkers were measured biweekly during the 70-day study period. Subsequently, we performed postmortem gross and histologic analyses. Horses in which PTOA joints were treated with pMPC exhibited mild increases in clinical data, including lameness, effusion, and flexion scores. Similarly, synovial cell count, total protein, and prostaglandin E₂ values were higher for pMPC-treated joints. Radiographic changes included significantly higher osteophyte scores in pMPC-treated joints at the terminal timepoint. The biolubricant may demonstrate some chondroprotective effects with lower total erosion scores and higher cartilage glycosaminoglycan content. In summary, when pMPC is administered to PTOA joints, the biolubricant induces a mild inflammatory response but may offer some chondroprotective effects in horses.

Objective: Liposomal local anesthetics have been shown to extend analgesia duration and improve pain scores dose-dependently in horses. Our objective was to assess concurrent impact on systemic inflammatory markers. Methods: 18 mares (age, 2 to 20 years) with normal ovarian anatomy were enrolled. Laparoscopic bilateral ovariectomies were performed standing with sedation. Local analgesia was: 80 mL bupivacaine hydrochloride (BHCl; n = 6), 30 mL 0.75% BHCl + 20 mL (low-dose) liposomal bupivacaine (LB) expanded to 80 mL with saline (LB20, n = 6), or 30 mL 0.75% BHCl + 40 mL (high-dose) LB expanded to equal volume around incision sites and mesovarium prior to ovariectomy (LB40, n = 6). Whole blood samples were obtained (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 24, 48, and 72 hours), and plasma was separated. Serum amyloid A (SAA) and 23 cytokines were quantified via commercially available kits and multiplex immunoassay, respectively. Results: SAA increased postoperatively from 24 to 72 hours (548.11 ± 726.84, 957.76 ± 1,006.62, and 841.18 ± 953.4, respectively). Serum amyloid A was lower in the LB40 group versus the LB20 group at 48 hours (303 ± 347.74 vs 773.17 ± 733.19) and 72 hours (439.67 ± 461.53 vs 951.6 ± 1,052.4). Cytokine concentrations were quantifiable for 14 cytokines; differences between groups were seen for eotaxin, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and IL-8. No group had consistently higher or lower values. Conclusions: High-dose LB suppressed the systemic inflammatory response, resulting in lower SAA postoperatively following ovariectomy. Clinical Relevance: Infiltration of extended-duration local anesthetics decreased inflammatory responses postoperatively.