Background There are limited data on outcomes and complications of conjunctival pedicle grafts in horses. Objective Document the indications, complications and outcomes of conjunctival pedicle grafts in horses. Study Design Retrospective case series. Methods Review of case records of horses with corneal diseases managed using conjunctival pedicle grafts. History, clinical findings, treatments, complications, and outcomes were recorded. Results 26 horses were treated by conjunctival pedicle grafts over a 16 years period. The indications were deep corneal ulceration (n=9), non-healing superficial corneal ulceration (n=6), corneal stromal abscessation (n=5), corneal laceration (n=3) and keratomalacia (n=3). Short term complications occurred in 12 horses (46%), the commonest being necrosis of the graft (n=6); in 3 cases, the corneal lesion healed following debridement, but in 2 the affected eye required enucleation and one was euthanased. Keratomalacia and ulceration extending beyond the graft occurred in 3 horses, all of which were enucleated. Uveitis occurred in 6 horses (4 cases prior to discharge and 2 after discharge); enucleation was required in 5 of these horses. Phthisis bulbi occurred prior to discharge in one horse and after discharge in another. Two horses had decreased faecal output after surgery (one had caecal impaction). In 6/26 cases (23%) enucleation was required prior to hospital discharge. One horse was euthanased due to post-operative caecal impaction. The short-term success rate was 69%. Two horses (8%) required enucleation after discharge from the hospital and the long-term success rate was 58%. Main Limitations Small number of cases with variety of different diseases of varying severities. Conclusions Conjunctival pedicle grafts were successfully employed to treat several corneal diseases including chronic superficial corneal ulceration, deep corneal ulceration, corneal stromal abscesses, corneal lacerations and keratomalacia. The short-term success rate was 69%. Long-term follow-up indicated a good prognosis for most horses that had a successful short-term outcome.

Background: Colic is the commonest emergency in first opinion equine practice. Early referral is important for horses requiring surgery. Fast localised abdominal ultrasonography of horses (FLASH) is frequently used as a diagnostic tool in the investigation of colic at referral hospitals, but its use in first opinion practice has not been evaluated. Objective: To assess the value of FLASH scanning in the primary assessment of horses with colic in the field, using a portable wireless ultrasound system. Study design: Prospective study (2018-2021). Methods: Any horse examined for colic as an emergency in a first opinion ambulatory practice was eligible for inclusion in the study. A FLASH examination was performed using a wireless handheld ultrasound scanner, with the images displayed on a smartphone or tablet. The findings on FLASH scans and outcome of the case (recovered, referred for surgery or euthanised without referral) were recorded. Results: 135 equids with acute colic were evaluated. Of the 135 horses, 49 (36%) had an abnormal finding on FLASH scanning, including distended loops of small intestine (n=34), thickened small intestinal walls (n=23) and/or distension of the stomach (n=7). Reduced small intestinal motility was recorded in 52 animals (38%). Follow-up information was available in all animals: 50 (37%) were euthanised due to clinical deterioration and the owners’ decision not to undertake surgery; 85/135 (63%) survived, including 5/85 (6%) that underwent surgery and 80/85 (94%) that resolved with medical management. Main limitations: Small number of cases. Lack of results of post-mortem examination of horses that were euthanised. Potential selection bias. Conclusion: The FLASH technique can be valuable in the primary assessment of horses with colic in first opinion ambulatory practice. Further evaluation with more cases is required.

Whilst there are limited data on the environmental impact of administering parasiticide drugs to horses, evidence from other species treated with identical drugs indicates significant negative ecological effects. Anthelmintic drugs may be excreted unchanged or metabolised to other active and/or toxic metabolites that enter the environment through direct excretion during grazing. These chemicals can have significant toxic effects on non-target insects, such as dung beetles, earthworms and aquatic animals. Of the anthelmintics frequently used in horses, ivermectin appears to be the most ecotoxic; available evidence indicates that moxidectin is less toxic. Fenbendazole appears to have little impact on dung-colonising insects but may be toxic to aquatic organisms and fungi. There is very little data regarding the ecotoxicity of pyrantel and praziquantel, although their ecotoxic effects are thought to be low. Pasture hygiene reduces pharmaceutical contamination and also helps to break the endoparasitic cycle of infectivity, thus reducing reliance on anthelmintics. Judicious use of endoparasiticides, along with pasture hygiene measures, will limit the ecotoxic effects of these drugs and reduce the selection pressure that drives anthelmintic resistance. Anthelmintics may also impact the equine gastrointestinal microbiota.Following topical treatment with ectoparasiticides (such as fipronil, permethrin or cypermethrin), there is a risk of contamination of both the immediate environment and water courses. The half-life of fipronil in the environment is variable, but it degrades into compounds which are more toxic; it is highly toxic to bees, and is reported to bioaccumulate in fish and can be toxic to birds. Of the synthetic pyrethroids, permethrin degrades at a faster rate than cypermethrin and may therefore have a lower ecotoxic effect. The ecotoxic effects of injectable doramectin are likely to be similar to oral ivermectin, although persistence in faeces may be significantly prolonged compared to the oral treatment route.

Background: A reduction in the Egg Reappearance Period (ERP) has been suggested to be an early indication of emerging anthelmintic resistance in strongyles. Objective:To measure the strongyle ERP following moxidectin treatment of horses in the southeast of England. Study Design: Prospective study. Methods: Horses with a faecal egg count (FEC) of > 400 strongyle eggs per gram (EPG) in a routine screening sample were enrolled into the study. Moxidectin (400 mcg/kg) was administered per os and FEC tests repeated every 2 weeks for 16 weeks. Results: Forty-eight horses completed the study. The mean EPG prior to treatment was 1047 (range 375 – 2137 EPG). In all but two horses, FEC was 0 EPG 2 weeks after moxidectin administration. In the remaining two, the FECs were 12.5 EPG (97.8-98.3% reductions compared to pre-treatment FEC). At 4 weeks post-treatment, 6 horses had positive FECs (96.6-99.2% reductions). At 6 weeks, 11 horses had positive FECs (83.8% reduction in one horse; >90% reduction in 10). At 8 weeks, 21 horses exhibited positive FECs (<90% reduction in 2). At 10 weeks, 27 horses had positive FECs (<90% in 6). At 12 weeks, 31 horses had positive FECs (<90% reduction in 11). At 14 weeks, 34 horses had positive FECs (<90% reduction in 13). At 16 weeks, 38 horses had positive FECs (<90% reduction in 17). Limitations: Weights of some horses were estimated using weigh tapes rather than a weighbridge. Dosing of the horses with moxidectin was carried out by owners. Conclusions: The results indicated acceptable efficacy of moxidectin at 14 days after treatment; however, the ERP pattern measured across the group suggest that this anthelmintic has a considerably shorter suppressive effect on strongyle egg shedding than measured when it was first introduced ( >13 weeks and up to 24 weeks).

Background: Workforce shortages are key challenges facing veterinary practice. Anecdotal evidence suggests that veterinary students are less interested in entering equine practice than previously. Objectives: To investigate veterinary students’ perceptions about their equine veterinary education and about working in equine practice. Study Design: On-line survey. Methods: Survey distributed via social media to veterinary students at UK veterinary schools. Questions to document intended career path of students and evaluate perceptions about careers in equine practice. Results: 744 students completed the survey - from all 10 veterinary schools. 88.8% intended to work in clinical practice (32.9% mixed; 25.3% small animal; 20.2% equine; 10.9% farm; 10.7% other/undecided). Factors considered most important for their first job included: mentoring and support (47.0%), team and practice culture (26.2%), working hours (including out-of-hours) (9.2%), location (6.6%), salary and benefits (5.7%) and familiarity with the practice (3.1%). 55.2% felt there were barriers to entering equine practice. 46.9% had ridden a horse regularly; 14.2% had never ridden. Respondents in clinical years rated their university training in equine practice as ‘Excellent’ (10.0%), ‘Good’ (45.9%), ‘OK’ (35.3%), ‘Poor’ (7.0%) and ‘Rubbish’ (1.8%). 48.9% respondents felt EMS had contributed most to their equine training. Statistical associations were identified between the following variables and intention to work in equine practice: owning a horse, having ever ridden a horse, confidence in handling horses, student membership of BEVA, and desire to undertake an internship. Main Limitations: Potential selection bias. Conclusions: 20% of students reporting an intention in equine work does not explain problems with recruitment of equine vets. Potential mismatch between numbers of students interested in equine practice and availability of equine jobs for new graduates. Students with pre-existing equine interest /experience were more likely to want to enter equine practice. EMS appears important for students’ training in equine medicine.

This report describes the evisceration of the jejunum following acute dehiscence of the abdominal wall in an 18 year old gelding which had undergone treatment for suspected sarcoids on the ventral abdomen with a topical caustic/chemotherapy agent 6 weeks previously. The sarcoid lesions appeared to be responding appropriately to the topical therapy until the day of presentation. The jejunum was safely contained in an abdominal bandage and the horse underwent emergency referral before immediate anaesthesia and further assessment. The horse was euthanased at the owners’ request following a guarded prognosis.