Post-mortem fetal extrusion, also known as \"coffin birth\", refers to the phenomenon where a fetus is pushed out of a deceased female due to pressure from decomposing gas in the abdominal cavity. While post-mortem fetal extrusion has been documented in humans at several archaeological sites, there are few reports of it occurring in non-human animals. In this study, we present a case of post-mortem fetal extrusion in equids observed in a chariot-horse pit (CMK2) at the Western Zhou period site of Yaoheyuan in northwestern China, dating to the early first millennium BC. This specific pit, one of four excavated at the site, contained at least 29 horses and 3 wooden chariots. Most of these horses were young adults aged between 4 and 12 years. Out of the 22 horses with sex estimates, 21 were males. Among these individuals, one adult female horse (Horse 6) and one infantile horse (Horse 10) were of particular importance. Based on the age-at-death, sex, and head orientation of the two individuals, alongside their spatial relationships, it is highly likely that Horse 6 was the fetus of Horse 10 and was extruded in the pit. According to the parturition stage of Horse 10, Horse 6 was likely interred in CMK2 in late spring or early summer of the year, during which the relatively high temperature may have generated gas that led to the extrusion of the fetus. Although the specific reason for the inclusion of a pregnant mare in a chariot-horse pit at Yaoheyuan remains a topic for future research, this case marks the first report of post-mortem fetal extrusion in archaeological horses. The findings offer insights into the timing of horse interment as part of ritual practices among the settled elites during the Bronze Age in China and provide valuable reference data for contemporary equine veterinary science.

In this case report, we present an unusual clockwise torsion of left colon around mesenteric root in a 10-month-old Arab filly, highlighting the clinical presentation, diagnostic approach and successful surgical intervention. A 10-month-old Arab filly weighing approximately 250 kg was referred with signs of acute abdominal pain. The history revealed anorexia, restlessness and severe abdominal pain that had begun the previous day. The local practitioner had previously administered flunixin meglumine, an analgesic, but it proved ineffective in relieving the pain. Upon physical examination, the filly exhibited sweating, a body temperature of 38.5°C, tachycardia (65 beats per minute) and tachypnea (25 breaths per minute). Due to the severity of the colic and the lack of response to the conservative treatments, surgical intervention was deemed necessary. An exploratory midline celiotomy was performed to evaluate the abdominal organs. During the examination, no obvious primary lesions were identified in the evaluated organs. However, a restriction in exteriorizing the left colon\'s length was observed. Further examination revealed an unusual clockwise torsion of the left colon that displaced in left to the right side around the mesenteric root; thereby, pelvic flexure was located in the normal anatomical position with a short length. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of clockwise torsion and an atypical displacement of the left colon in horses. The surgical correction of the displacement was successfully performed. The filly showed improvement post-surgery and did not exhibit any complications during the recovery period.

UNASSIGNED: During electrochemotherapy (ECT), a chemotherapeutic drug is injected into the tumor and then an electroporation is provided. In horses, ear manipulation may be very painful, and combining a loco-regional technique with sedation might be a good option to avoid anesthesia-related risks. A two-injection-point block of the internal and external pinna and acoustic meatus was described in horse cadavers, and it permitted complete stain of all three branches of the great auricular nerve (GAN), internal auricular nerve branch (IAB), lateral auricular branch (LAB), and caudal auricular nerve (CAN), suggesting a lower risk of intra-parotid injection during the IAB and LAB block.
UNASSIGNED: An 8-year-old Italian jumping gelding presented for ECT to treat a fibroblastic sarcoid in the left medial pinna. After intravenous sedation with acepromazine, romifidine, and butorphanol, a two-injection-point block was provided as previously described. The block of the GAN was blind, whereas an electrical nerve locator was used for the IAB, LAB, and CAN. A total of 12 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine was injected. The ECT was safely performed without any difficulties. The horse well tolerated the procedure and completely recovered 75 minutes after sedation. No complications were detected.
UNASSIGNED: The described approach seems feasible and suitable for the blockade of the sensory innervation of the equine ear in the case of ECT.

UNASSIGNED: Although relatively uncommon, lymphoma is the most prevalent haematopoietic neoplasia in horses, and multicentric lymphoma remains the most common presentation of the disease. The pathogenesis of equine lymphoma is still poorly understood and the diagnosis is usually confirmed at an advanced stage of the disease, compromising the prognosis. This study investigated the clinical, pathological, and molecular features of a case of equine multicentric lymphoma.
UNASSIGNED: An apparently healthy 5-year-old crossbreed mare hospitalized at the Centre of Animal Reproduction of Vairão, Portugal, suddenly presented clinical signs of supraorbital oedema and mandibular lymph node enlargement, developing fever, facial oedema, and generalized lymphadenopathy. The mare ended up dying twenty-four days after the first clinical signs due to multisystem organ failure. Haematological and biochemical analyses, necropsy, and microscopic and molecular evaluation of affected tissues were performed. At necropsy, the main findings were multiple multinodular lesions, distributed along the serous surface of oropharynx, trachea, pericardium, gastrointestinal tract, and mesentery. Microscopically, these consisted of solid proliferations of neoplastic round cells that exhibited immunopositivity for CD3 (T cells). Based on these findings, a medium-grade multicentric T-cell lymphoma was diagnosed.
UNASSIGNED: There is still very little research regarding the molecular characterization of lymphoma in horses. As an entity itself is quite heterogeneous, it is important to describe the interspecies particularities to understand its development and behaviour.

A 17-year-old mare presenting with acute fever, weakness and bladder dysfunction was diagnosed with equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM). The mare become transiently recumbent, underwent parenteral fluid therapy, plasma infusion, steroidal/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (SAID/NSAIDs) and bladder catheterization. After 10 days the mare was hospitalized. Neurological evaluation revealed ataxia and proprioceptive deficits mainly in the hind limbs. The mare was able to stand but unable to rise from recumbency or walk. Secondary complications included Escherichia coli cystitis, corneal ulcers and pressure sores. A full-body support sling was used for 21 days. Medical treatment included systemic antimicrobials, NSAIDs, gradual discontinuation of SAIDs, parenteral fluid therapy and bladder lavage. The mare tested positive for Varicellovirus equidalpha 1 (EHV-1) DNA in nasal swab and blood samples on day 13 and in urine samples on days 13 and 25 after the onset of fever. Neurological signs improved over a period of 34 days and the mare was discharged with mild hind limb weakness/ataxia. Secondary complications resolved within 2 weeks. At the eight-month follow-up, marked improvement in locomotory function had been achieved.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical application and outcome of MicroPulse™ transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) treatment in horses with glaucoma.
METHODS: Four client-owned horses with primary (n = 2) or secondary (n = 2) glaucoma.
METHODS: Horses were treated with MP-TSCPC under standing sedation with a minimum of 30 days of follow-up (range 30-1241 days). Affected eyes were treated with a 31.3% duty cycle and 3000 mW laser power for a total of 180 s. Data collected included signalment, pre- and post-procedure intraocular pressures (IOPs), laser settings, medications, complications, and repeat therapy.
RESULTS: Four horses (5 eyes) received at least one treatment with MP-TSCPC. Mean preoperative IOP was 44 mmHg (range 33-49 mmHg). The immediate mean postoperative IOP was 34 mmHg (4 eyes; range 19-55 mmHg). At 1 week, IOP was 38 mmHg (5 eyes; range 21-80 mmHg), at 2 weeks was 40 mmHg (3 eyes, range 17-80 mmHg), at 1 month was 35 mmHg (5 eyes; range 20-50 mmHg), at 3 months was 18 mmHg (2 eyes; range 14-21 mmHg), at 6 months was 35 mmHg (2 eyes; range 30-39 mmHg), and at >300 days was 24 mmHg (3 eyes; range 18-29 mmHg). Complications included corneal ulceration (n = 1 eye), uncontrolled IOP (n = 3 eyes), and need for repeat treatment (n = 2 eyes).
CONCLUSIONS: MP-TSCPC used with the above-described settings was unsuccessful in treating the majority of cases. Future studies should be targeted at primary glaucoma cases and with use of alternative laser settings.

Subchondral bone cysts in horses represent one of the main causes of lameness that can occur in different anatomical locations. The study describes the treatment in regenerative therapy of the intracystic implantation of adipose tissue mesenchymal stromal cells (AMSCs) included in platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The ability of AMSCs to differentiate in osteogenic cells was tested in vitro and in vivo. Given the aim to investigate the application of AMSCs in bone defects and orthopedic pathologies in horses, a four-year-old male thoroughbred racing horse that had never raced before was treated for lameness of the left hind leg caused by a cyst of the medial femoral condyle. The horse underwent a new surgery performed with an arthroscopic approach in which the cystic cavity was filled with AMSCs contained in the PRP. Radiographs were taken 3, 5, and 10 months after the surgery to assess the development of newly regenerated bone tissue in the gap left by the cyst. Twelve months after the operation and after six months of regular daily training, the horse did not show any symptoms of lameness and started a racing career. According to the study, the use of AMSCs and PRP suggests promising benefits for treating subchondral bone cysts.

BACKGROUND: Halicephalobus gingivalis is a nematode with zoonotic potential which can cause fatal opportunistic infections in various mammals. The parasite has never been diagnosed in Sweden, in any species, prior to the presented case.
METHODS: An imported 21-year-old Icelandic mare developed severe neurological signs. The horse was eventually euthanized and submitted for post-mortem examination where severe lesions in the kidneys were noted. Histopathology revealed the presence of H. gingivalis in both kidneys and the brain. Phylogenetic analysis of the parasite determined it to belong to Lineage 1.
CONCLUSIONS: With the occurrence of H. gingivalis in Sweden, the disease should be added to the list of differential diagnoses in cases with acute onset of neurological disease in both horses and other mammals including humans.

BACKGROUND: Desmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (ALDDFT) is a commonly reported injury. Despite the commonality of this injury, the literature is limited to small case series, with the reported success following treatment varying from 18% to 75%.
OBJECTIVE: To identify the prognosis and factors associated with a return to work following ALDDFT injury.
METHODS: Retrospective case series.
METHODS: Medical records of horses from four equine hospitals (January 2000 and December 2018) with a diagnosis of desmitis of ALDDFT were reviewed. Data retrieved included case detail, use, history, lameness treatment and follow-up. Success was defined as returning to work. Backward stepwise logistic regression was used to identify variables significantly associated with return to work.
RESULTS: Ninety-one horses were included. The mean age was 13.5 years (standard deviation 4.9 years). Thirty-four percent (28/91) of horses were sound at the initial presentation. Sixty-eight percent (62/91) of horses were managed using controlled exercise alone, 28% (29/91) were treated with intra-lesional injection, therapeutic ultrasound, extracorporeal shockwave therapy or desmectomy of the ALDDFT and 3% (3/91) were euthanased without treatment. Sixty-four percent (54/85) of horses returned to work. Horses that were lame at follow-up were less likely to return to work (odds ratio [OR] 107.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 20.06-580.61, p < 0.001) than those that returned to soundness. Identification of adhesions on ultrasonography was also associated with having reduced odds for return to work when compared to horses without adhesions (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.01-0.76, p = 0.03).
CONCLUSIONS: Retrospective nature of the study, the potential of selection bias with regards to follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS: Sixty-four percent (54/85) of horses returned to work following injury of the ALDDFT. Persistence of lameness and adhesion formation were significantly associated with a poor outcome.

Riboflavin/UV-A corneal cross-linking (CXL) has been applied to treat corneal ulcers in adult horses, but its use in critically ill neonatal foals has not been described. Five cases of hospitalized, critically ill neonatal foals that were in intensive care with corneal ulcers, the ophthalmic treatment, and their outcome up to 1 year are described. A single treatment of CXL phototherapy was performed in three of five foals (five eyes). The application of a riboflavin ophthalmic solution for 20 minutes was followed by the UV-A light irradiation at 30 mW/cm2 for 3 minutes. Topical antibiotic administration was withdrawn after CXL. Two other foals received standard treatment. Descriptions of ocular lesions, fluorescein staining, and photographic documentation were recorded. The visual outcome, corneal transparency, and aesthetics, as well as healing time were evaluated in the follow-up. The frequency of topical medication considerably decreased in cases treated with CXL. Corneal opacity and pain decreased within 3 days following CXL. In the foals treated with CXL, the ulcers healed (fluorescein stain negative) in 24, 28, and 35 days after the onset of clinical signs and 10, 15, and 21, after CXL. No fibrosis or corneal scars were found in the cases treated with CXL. The two standard treatment cases healed after 26 and 36 days respectively. Corneal cross-linking may be an additional or alternative treatment of corneal ulcers in critically ill neonatal foals and may reduce the use of antibiotics.