SAEVA Congress 2018 Proceedings | 12-15 February 2018 | ATKV Goudini Spa
Horses with aortoiliac thrombosis have a guarded prognosis for performance at best.
Various treatments have been reported including intravenous sodium gluconate,
larvicidal dewormings, phenylbutazone, aspirin, low molecular weight dextran, a
controlled exercise program and surgical removal of the thrombosis. Early diagnosis is
essential if therapy to be beneficial. Treatment is aimed at improving collateral
circulation and preventing of additional thrombus formation. Thrombosis of other
arteries or the development of arteriovenous fistulas may also play a role in decreased
performance but occur infrequently and are difficult to diagnose.
Nuchal bursitis
Nuchal bursitis occurs most commonly in dressage horses but also has been
reported in other performance horses. Swelling of the poll with reluctance to flex at
the poll or turn their head and local pain have all been reported in affected horses.
Distention of the nuchal bursa with anechoic to hypoechoic fluid, bursal thickening
and dystrophic mineralization of the synovium with bony involvement of the dorsal
aspect of C1 have all been reported with nuchal bursitis.
Nuchal bursitis with synovial proliferation
Cervical osteoarthropathy
Ultrasonography is very useful in the assessment and management of horses with
cervical osteoarthropathy, enabling both sonographic evaluation of the articular facet
joint and the ultrasound guided treatment of the affected joints. The side of the neck
affected can be determined ultrasonographically, aiding in the decision of which
articular facet joints to treat. Bony irregularities at the articulation are imaged.
Multiple different approaches have been described to successfully perform an
ultrasound guided centesis or treatment.
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