Equine veterinary journal
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Equine veterinary journal · Feb 2009
Short-term anaesthesia with xylazine, diazepam/ketamine for castration in horses under field conditions: use of intravenous lidocaine.
Lidocaine single boluses and/or constant rate infusions are commonly administered intraoperatively during inhalant anaesthesia to lower inhalant concentrations, promote or maintain gastrointestinal motility, and potentially supplement analgesia. The benefits of using lidocaine with injectable anaesthesia for field surgeries has not been fully explored to determine advantages and disadvantages of lidocaine as an anaesthetic and analgesic adjunct in these conditions and impact on recovery quality. ⋯ Further research is warranted to define the benefit of systemic lidocaine with field anaesthesia in horses by exploring the ideal dose and plasma level of lidocaine with injectable anaesthesia.
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Equine veterinary journal · Feb 2009
Caudal compression of the infraorbital nerve: a novel surgical technique for treatment of idiopathic headshaking and assessment of its efficacy in 24 horses.
REASONS FOR DESIGNING AND REPORTING TECHNIQUE: Idiopathic headshaking has remarkable similarities to human neuropathic facial pain syndromes associated with post herpetic and trigeminal neuralgia. These derive from abnormal sensory function within the peripheral or central pathways of the trigeminal nerve (TgN). Limiting input from the TgN can be helpful in controlling the perception of pain. Rhizotomy of the infraorbital branch of the TgN as it emerges from the infraorbital canal has been reported but has a poor efficacy. A novel technique involves compression of the nerve at a more caudal location within the infraorbital canal and the technique requires validation. ⋯ This surgical technique is likely to prevent input from the TgN at a more caudal location then the previously described infraorbital neurectomy. The technique requires refinement.
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Equine veterinary journal · Feb 2009
Osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar synovial intervertebral articulations: clinical and radiographic features in 77 horses with poor performance and back pain.
Back pain is well recognised as a cause of poor performance in horses, but the role of lesions of the thoracolumbar synovial intervertebral articulations (facet joints) has not been well documented. ⋯ Osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar facet joints probably contributes to back pain, but further investigation of the prevalence of osteoarthritis in horses without clinical signs of back pain is merited.