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Biomedical subjects

D R Hutchins

Publications and source records attributed to D R Hutchins.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Nonsurgical management of type II fractures of the distal phalanx in 48 standardbred horses.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate nonsurgical management of type II fractures of the distal phalanx in Standardbred horses. DESIGN: Retrospective study of 48 affected horses. RESULTS: Most fractures occurred on the lateral palmar process of the left forelimb or the medial palmar process of the right forelimb; 81% of horses were considered sound enough to return to training and 63% raced. Of those returning to racing, 41% competed in > 10 races, 37% in 2 to 10 races and 22% in only 1 race. There was no difference in performance before and after fracture. Twenty-four of 25 horses had a bar shoe fitted for > 50% of the treatment phase. Of those horses returning to training without a bar shoe, 89% refractured at the same site. Sixty percent of horses returning to training with a bar shoe raced successfully. The total convalescent time, the time rested in a box and the time spelled in a paddock were similar for horses returning to racing and those that did not. The age of the horse had no effect on the ability to return to racing. CONCLUSION: The prognosis for type II fractures of the distal phalanx is guarded. It is advisable to fit a bar shoe on the horse during convalescence. Horses returning to training and racing with a bar shoe appear less likely to refracture the distal phalanx. Those horses that return to racing can perform at a level similar to that prior to fracture.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Multiple congenital cardiac anomalies and idiopathic thoracic aortitis in a horse.

An echocardiographical and clinical pathological investigation of the rapid loss of weight by a yearling thoroughbred filly revealed an atrial septal defect, a ventricular septal defect and hyperfibrinogenaemia. A post mortem examination confirmed the cardiac abnormalities and revealed a severe thoracic aortitis. It is proposed that the idiopathic thoracic aortitis contributed to the horse's compromised cardiovascular homoeostasis.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Retropharyngeal lymph node infection in horses: 46 cases (1977-1992).

A retrospective study of 46 horses with retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) infection presented to the Rural Veterinary Centre between 1977 and 1992 was undertaken. Horses aged less than one year were most commonly represented (46%). Thirty-nine percent of cases had been exposed to horses with confirmed or suspected strangles (Streptococcus equi subsp equi infection) within the previous 8 weeks. Most frequent signs were unilateral or bilateral swelling of the throat region (65%), respiratory stertor/dyspnoea (35%), purulent nasal discharge (20%), inappetence and signs of depression (15%), and dysphagia (9%). All horses had a soft tissue density in the retropharyngeal region on radiographs. Rhinopharyngoscopy, ultrasonography, haematology as well as cytological and microbial analysis of material aspirated from the soft tissue swelling facilitated diagnosis in some horses. Fifteen horses (33%) were treated with procaine penicillin intramuscularly for 4 to 7 days followed by oral trimethoprim-sulphadimidine for 7 to 14 days. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were administered to 6 horses. Four required tracheostomy for severe respiratory distress. The 15 horses treated medically responded to treatment and were discharged from hospital. Three horses (6%) with mild signs received no treatment and recovered uneventfully. Twenty-eight horses (61%) underwent general anaesthesia and surgical drainage of a RPLN abscess. Nineteen received procaine penicillin G for 4 to 7 days. Four of the nine horses that did not receive antibiotic treatment after surgery required further surgical drainage 10 days to 7 weeks after the initial surgery. Limited follow-up information was available for 37 horses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1995

Acute febrile diarrhoea in horses: 86 cases (1986-1991).

Eighty-six horses presented for examination at the Rural Veterinary Centre between January 1986 to December 1991 with acute diarrhoea. The average age of affected horses was 3.2 +/- 0.2 years (mean +/- SE), with 69% three years or younger. Sixty-one horses were male (36 stallions, 25 geldings) and 83 horses were Thoroughbreds (47) or Standardbreds (36). Sixty-six horses were undergoing routine training at the time of onset of diarrhoea. Eight horses were afflicted with a non-specific illness within one to five days before the onset of diarrhoea, whereas eight horses developed diarrhoea during or within 48 h of discontinuation of antimicrobial therapy. Three horses developed the diarrhoea within 24 h of road transportation. Clinically, the disorder was characterised by a fever, sudden onset of profuse diarrhoea, clinical evidence of dehydration (estimated to be 5 to 12% of body weight at the time of admission) and shock. Degenerative leucopaenia, hyponatraemia, hypochloraemia, hyperkalaemia, hyperglycaemia and azotaemia were characteristic laboratory findings. Laminitis was a sequel in about 30% of cases. The cause of diarrhoea remained undetermined in most cases. Salmonellas were isolated from faecal or tissue samples in only two cases. Similarly, there was no evidence of seroconversion to Erhlichia risticii in 17 cases. Sixty-two of the horses survived the acute phase of the disease in response to supportive care. In horses that did not survive, necropsies were performed and revealed sanguineous or turbid peritoneal fluid. The colonic and caecal walls were oedematous and thickened with serosal congestion and discolouration of these organs evident grossly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

Pleural effusion associated with acute and chronic pleuropneumonia and pleuritis secondary to thoracic wounds in horses: 43 cases (1982-1992).

Case records of 43 horses with pleural effusion associated with acute pleuropneumonia, chronic pleuropneumonia, or pleuritis secondary to a penetrating thoracic wound were reviewed to determine the predisposing factors, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition. Acute pleuropneumonia was diagnosed in 36 horses, the majority of which were Thoroughbreds (89%). Of 22 (61%) horses that were in race training at the onset of illness, 11 (31%) had been recently transported a long distance and 4 (11%) had evidence of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Physical examination findings and hematologic data were nonspecific. The most consistent abnormality was hyperfibrino-genemia. Affected horses were treated with antibiotics, thoracic drainage, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and supportive care. Twenty-two (61%) horses were discharged from the hospital, with the mean duration of hospitalization for those discharged being 23 days. Nine (25%) horses were euthanatized and 5 (14%) died. Bacterial culturing of thoracic fluid resulted in growth in 30 of the 36 (83%) horses. The finding of anaerobic bacteria in thoracic fluid was not associated with a lower survival rate (62%) than the overall survival rate (61%). Four horses with chronic pleuropneumonia had a history of lethargy and inappetence for > 2 weeks. Actinobacillus equuli was isolated, either alone or in combination with other bacteria, from thoracic fluid of these 4 horses. Each horse was treated with broad spectrum antibiotics and made a rapid recovery. Three horses with acute pleuritis secondary to penetrating thoracic wounds also had nonspecific clinical signs, apart from the wound and a large volume of pleural effusion. Bacteriologic isolates from these horses differed slightly from those of horses with acute pleuropneumonia.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

Peritonitis associated with Actinobacillus equuli in horses: 15 cases (1982-1992).

Peritonitis attributable to Actinobacillus equuli was diagnosed in 15 horses examined at the veterinary center between 1982 and 1992. In 13 horses, historical findings included acute onset of mild to severe signs of abdominal pain, lethargy, and inappetence. Two other horses had a history of weight loss for 3 to 6 weeks prior to examination. Diagnosis was based on the physical signs and laboratory findings, including results of peritoneal fluid analysis (gross characteristics, total protein, total and differential nucleated cell counts, and morphologic findings) and culture of A equuli. Actinobacillus equuli was consistently susceptible in vitro to penicillin, trimethoprim/sulfadiazine, and aminoglycosides. All horses in the study had marked clinical improvement within 24 to 48 hours of commencing antibiotic and supportive treatment. Antibiotic treatment was continued for variable periods, depending on the horse, but ranged from 5 to 21 days. In 11 horses for which follow-up information was available, long-term response to treatment was excellent, with horses returning to original activity.

Actinobacillus↗
PubMed1993

A survey of neurological diseases in horses.

Case records of 450 horses with signs of neurological disease are reviewed. One hundred and nineteen horses with neurological disease due to trauma were examined, of which 60 were due to spinal cord trauma, 47 to brain or cranial nerve trauma and 12 to peripheral nerve trauma. Cervical vertebral fractures/trauma were the most common injury. Basisphenoid/basioccipital bone fractures were the most common form of cranial trauma and facial nerve paralysis the most common cranial nerve injury. Eighty-nine horses with neurological disease due to malformation were examined. Cervical vertebral malformation occurred in 83 horses and congenital defects in 6 foals. Neurological disease due to inflammation or infection occurred in 30 horses. The most common disease of this type was meningitis, which occurred in 11 horses and foals. Neoplasms in the CNS caused neurological disease in 8 horses. The final category was miscellaneous neurological disease, which was diagnosed in 204 horses. Diseases in this category included neonatal (28 cases), toxic/metabolic (27 cases), idiopathic (133 cases), degenerative (3 cases) and other neurological diseases (13 cases). The most common condition was idiopathic laryngeal hemiplegia (116 cases). Where possible, diagnosis relied on a thorough neurological examination with use of ancillary tests in selected cases including rhinolaryngoscopy, radiography, myelography, ophthalmoscopy and cerebrospinal fluid analysis when indicated. In many cases necropsy and histopathological confirmation or diagnosis was necessary.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1992

Progressive ethmoidal haematoma in horses.

Progressive ethmoidal haematoma was diagnosed in 12 Thoroughbreds, 1 part- Arab and 1 stock horse. Ages ranged from 3 to 18 years and both males and females were affected. Diagnosis was based on history, clinical signs, endoscopic and radiographic findings, and was confirmed histologically in 10 cases. Eleven (78%) of the lesions were unilateral and 3 (22%) were bilateral. Two horses were euthanased on diagnosis, 4 were treated conservatively. Of the latter, 3 were euthanased 6 to 24 months after diagnosis, due to progression of the lesions, while 1 case resolved completely within 13 months. Eight horses were treated by surgical excision of the lesion. Three died in the post-operative period, 3 were euthanased within 48 months after recurrence of the condition, and 2 had no recurrence within 60 and 72 months, respectively.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Indices of renal function: values in eight normal foals from birth to 56 days.

A series of blood and urine samples was collected from each of eight normal foals between birth and eight weeks. Blood chemistry relating to renal function was evaluated as well as physical and chemical characteristics of urine. During the first 4d of life it was impractical to suggest meaningful normal values due to wide variation among foals and with time. Serum urea and plasma creatinine fell markedly to levels less than those previously reported for normal adult horses, while urine, mildly hypersthenuric at birth, rapidly became hyposthenuric. There was also a marked proteinuria during the first 48h. After 4d clinicopathological values stabilised. Urea and creatinine remained at subadult levels and hyposthenuria was maintained. While there was some variation with time, generally the urinary activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) was greater in foals than in adults; plasma potassium, the creatinine clearance ratio of potassium (% Cr K), serum inorganic phosphate and the creatinine clearance ratio of phosphate (% Cr PO4) were greater than in adults while plasma chloride and the creatinine clearance ratio of chloride (% Cr Cl) were lower in foals than in adults. Urinary pH was acidic and epithelial cells and calcium oxalate crystals more prevalent in the urine of foals than in that of adults. The information presented here will be useful in the diagnosis and management of renal disease and azotaemia in foals.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Indices of renal function: reference values in normal horses.

Urine and blood samples were taken at the same time from normal adult horses presented for routine investigations to establish reference values for a variety of parameters reported to be useful in the clinical evaluation of renal function. Blood biochemical values were consistent with previous studies and had well-defined normal ranges. Parameters representing urine concentration and electrolyte excretion however, varied widely reflecting the ability of the healthy kidney to change the composition of urine in response to differences in environment and management. Percent creatinine clearance ratios for potassium in particular were lower than those reported in normal horses in previous studies. Rational interpretation of these latter measurements should accept a wide range of normal values and management conditions must be considered in this interpretation.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Survival rates and post-operative complications after equine colic surgery.

A retrospective analysis of 74 cases that underwent surgery for colic was undertaken to determine short and long term survival rates and the incidence of post-operative complications. In 28 cases colic was related to small intestinal lesions and in 46 cases to large intestinal lesions. Pre-operative packed cell volume and heart rate were found to be inversely related to short-term survival. Twenty-five horses (34%) recovered from surgery and were discharged. Of 18 of these cases with available histories, 6 subsequently had one or more episodes of colic since surgery of which 5 eventually died or were euthanased due to further colic; the remaining 12 have remained free from recurrence of colic for longer than 6 months.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Some aspects of the epidemiology of equine salmonellosis.

A survey of 2 horse populations was done to detect the number of asymptomatic faecal excretors of Salmonella sp. 1201 faecal samples from 250 horses hospitalised at the University of Sydney were cultured. Three serotypes, S. typhimurium (4 horses), S. anatum (2) and S. tennessee (1) were isolated from 7 horses (2.8%). None was detected in 75 mares similarly examined at a thoroughbred stud farm. In retrospect, S. typhimurium was also the most common (70%) of the 19 serotypes recovered from 171 horses with clinical salmonellosis seen at Camden, 1969 to 1986. Forty cases occurring since 1983 were reviewed in detail; the mortality rate was high (60%) and an increased proportion was due to S. bovis-morbificans. Five horses developed salmonellosis while hospitalised and it was usually impossible to be certain whether these cases developed from the carrier state into overt disease or resulted from infections acquired in hospital.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Chronic nephritis in a horse.

An 11 year old Anglo-Arabian mare was presented with a five month history of gradual weight loss and inappetence. On physical examination the mare was in fair body condition with no localising signs of illness. Persistently elevated blood urea nitrogen and isothenuria indicated the presence of primary renal failure. At necropsy both kidneys were shrunken and contracted. Histopathology revealed lesions consistent with end stage renal disease which were characterised by severe and diffuse interstitial fibrosis.

Animals↗