Equine Practical Exam Flashcards

Question

If the horse is difficult during injection, what do you do?

Answer 1

A. minimum restraint- halter or head collar and lead rope B. Rearing bit C. Chain over nose D. Neck twitch with hand E. Nose twitch F. Ear Twitch G. Lip or gum chain H. Lifting a limb I. Cross ties J. Stocks

Answer 2

Verbal-- a soothing, reassuring tone can help in calming a difficult horse. An authoritative tone accompanied by a tug on hte lead rope may help keep a fidgety horse in place Chemical-- may alter some PE findings-- can be used alone or with other techniques or devices. C

Answer 3

\* Control the mare first \* Never pull on a foals head and never tie a foal like an adult horse \* Lateral recumbency for procedures-- handler sit with one leg under the foal'sneck and the other over the foal's forequarters-- another person may have to restrain the foals legs by kneeling with them squeezed between their thighs

Answer 4

True-- horses regain control of front end before their hind quarters \*\* Sitting on their head/ upper neck will prevent them from repeatedly hitting their heads when attempting to rise too early \*\* Leave a severely lame limb upper most

Answer 5

You will need an additional needle for air intake if fluid is to flow out of the bottle

Answer 6

Stand in front of the horse as it is most unlikely the horse will lunge forward

Answer 7

True \*\* Maximally sedated with an alpha 2 agonist-- usually 3-5 minutes after receiving an alpha 2 agonist

Answer 8

\* Observe the horse from a distance - stance and behaviour, general mentation, RR and RE, body condition \* Head collar and lead rope \* Check both nostrils for airflow and equal on both sides (flared can indicate pain or increased RE) (nasal discharge, unilateral/bilateral, colour, quantity)-- odour of mouth and nostrils esp. anaerobic infection-- pleuropneumonia, dental problems, face symmetry, eyes \* nose to tail left side \* nose to tail right side \* MM CRT\< 2 \* facial artery palpated at the ventral aspect of the mandible to assess the pulse \* Ear palpation if they permit it for temperature if suspicion the horse is in hypovolaemic or CV shock and experiencing poor peripheral perfusion \* Intramandibular space for submandibular lymphadenopathy \* Left jugular vein occluded and palpated to evaluate jugular fill and examine for thrombophlebitis... examine jugular veins for patency and filling-- good estimation of hydratin status-- that and skin turgor \* Heart Auscultation \* Lung Auscultation \* Gut sounds \* FIrm, upward palpation of ventral thorax to evaluate for ventral oedema \* Inguinal area to eval external repro organs \* Pulses obtained on the median artery on the medial aspect of the carpus next to the cephalic vein \* Temperature

Answer 9

\* Heart auscultated on the left side of the chest behind the left elbow \* Left forelimb must be slightly in front of the right \* 28-40 bpm \* Then auscultated in three locations on the cranial ventral thorax: over the pulmonic, aortic, and mitral valves \* Start at the apex beat on the left side of the chest then move progressively further forward and upward (cranial and dorsal). \* Listen on the right as well \* you may hear dropped beats (2nd degree AV block) in normal horses or soft physiological murmurs (during systole near the base of the heart = turbulence in the wide diameter vessels) \* A pulse can be obtained from the median artery on the medial aspect of the carpus next to the very visible cephalic vein. This is the one pulse that can be reached at the same time as auscultating the chest \* As you run your hand down the limb consider the temperature of the distal limb-- normally the digital pulse in the medial and lateral digital vessels is faint-- horses with a foot problem such as foot abscess and horses with/ developing laminitis often have strong digital pulses

Answer 10

Breeder must register with the Australian stud book \* A stud, station, owner or agent's distinguishing brand with letters or symbols \* A sequence number signifies the order in which the foals were branded

Answer 11

\* initially the odontoblastic seal the tubule with secondary dentine-- secondary dentine is dark brown in colour= dental star-- a white spot appears in the centre of the dental star \* After 7 years of age, the shape of the occlusal surface, presence or absence of hooks and grooves, angle of the bite plan as well as the loss of the infundibulum (cup) and appearance of the dental star are used to estimate age. The older horse, the more subjective ageing becomes (it pays to examine brands, etc.)

Answer 12

Hoof knife Used to trim frog and sole of hoof

Answer 13

hoof rasp Used to finish trim and smooth out edges of hoof

Answer 14

Nippers/ hoof pincers Used to trim hoof wall

Answer 15

Nail pullers

Answer 16

1. Examination of the horse at rest 1. Begin at the left forelimb then work down the back to the left hind limb. Repeat all procedures on the right forelimb followed by the right hind limb. For each limb start proximally and work down so that the horse can anticipate what you are doing and you can get a feel for how the horse will tolerate the procedure 2. The point of the shoulder is palpated for pain in the underlying bicipetal bursa. It is rare to be able to detect swelling in the shoulder and elbow joints due to their depth. 3. Carpus: The carpus is then observed and palpated. Swelling of the antebrachiocarpal and midcarpal joint can be observed dorsally. There is a palmar pouch of the antebrachiocarpal joint on the lateral aspect immediately palmar to the radius and proximal to the accessory carpal bone which will only be observed when there is joint effusion. The carpal canal will swell at a similar site. 4. Metacarpus: Palpate the flexor tendons and the suspensory ligament (interosseous m.) at the palmar aspect of the metacarpus. The suspensory ligament is divided into 3 important parts which make up the proximal, middle and distal thirds of the metacarpus; origin (between the splint bones proximally and therefore difficult to palpate), the body and the branches distally. 5. Fetlock: The fetlock joint has a dorsal pouch and palmar pouches. The palmar pouches lie between the third metacarpal bone and the suspensory branch and can extend up the button of the splint bone. It is important to differentiate swelling here with swelling of the digital sheath which will be palmar to the suspensory branch (commonly called windgalls by horse people). Also palpate the lateral and medial sesamoid bones. 6. Pastern: Fluid swelling of the proximal interphalangeal joint (pastern joint) is rare. Joint swelling is usually firm and fibrous or bony in long standing cases and will appear as a thickened pastern predominantly distally. The flexor tendons should be palpated on the palmar aspect of the pastern. The SDFT branches and inserts on either side to proximal P2. 7. Foot: Palpate digital pulses at level of fetlock or palmar pastern. Amplitude is more important than rate for assessment of inflammation within the foot. They should be difficult to feel in a normal horse. If they are easy to feel then they are probably elevated in amplitude. Palpate the coronary band. An indentation of the band if palpable when there is sinking or rotation of the pedal bone with laminitis. Swelling and pain may be palpable with a foot abscess that is about to break out at the coronary band. 2. Examination moving horse 1. Walk straight line 2. Trot straight line 3. Lunging on both reins 4. Ridden 3. Diagnostic analgesic techniques 4. Imaging

Answer 17

Non-weight bearing examination Pick the foot up. Examine the solar surface of the foot. The sole must be cleaned first with a hoof pick or hoof knife. Determine where the foot is weight bearing, and is it balanced mediolaterally. Turn around and palpate up the limb concentrating on the flexor tendons at the pastern and metacarpus and the suspensory ligament. At the metacarpus separate the SDFT and the DDFT gently. The SDFT has relatively sharp lateral and medial borders whereas the DDFT is more rounded in cross section. The flexor tendons should not be painful when squeezed with moderate pressure. There should be no pain when pressing on the branches of the suspensory ligament but it is normal for the horse to react to pressure on the suspensory ligament body.

Answer 18

Non-weight bearing examination Pick the foot up. Examine the solar surface of the foot. The sole must be cleaned first with a hoof pick or hoof knife. Determine where the foot is weight bearing, and is it balanced mediolaterally. Turn around and palpate up the limb concentrating on the flexor tendons at the pastern and metacarpus and the suspensory ligament. At the metacarpus separate the SDFT and the DDFT gently. The SDFT has relatively sharp lateral and medial borders whereas the DDFT is more rounded in cross section. The flexor tendons should not be painful when squeezed with moderate pressure. There should be no pain when pressing on the branches of the suspensory ligament but it is normal for the horse to react to pressure on the suspensory ligament body. \*\*Performing a fetlock flexion test. The carpus is positioned in the armpit at 90 degrees of flexion and the toe pulled upwards to apply pressure to the fetlock and interphalangeal joints.

Answer 19

Hoof testers Hoof testers should be applied to all the feet. This is done with the foot held between the legs for a forelimb and resting on the legs for the hindlimb. Never try to place a hind limb between your legs or you risk getting kicked. Start at one heel and work your way slowly around the hoof wall to the opposite heel. Feel for the horse pulling away from you with your legs. As soon as you get a slight response stop. Keep going around the foot then come back and check if the original spot gives a pain response repeatably. Apply across the frog as well.

Answer 20

This is the only way of objectively determining if there is pain at a site in the limb that is causing lameness. Nerve blocks are used to localise a lameness where there are no localising signs and to confirm a findings as the cause of a lameness where it is not clear. They are contraindicated when a stress fracture is suspected due to the risk of a complete fracture developing. Nerve blocks can be either regional (blocking of the nerve supplying a region) or intrasynovial (local anaesthetic placed in a joint or tendonsheath). Where there is a choice I prefer regional blocks due to the decreased risk of complications and the more complete block achieved of an area. Begin with distally and work proximally to block out each area sequentially. Regional blocks of the forelimb Palmar digital nerve block Pastern ring block Abaxial sesamoid block Low 4-point block Subcarpal block Median and ulnar block Regional blocks of the hindlimb Palmar digital block Pastern ring block Abaxial sesamoid block Low 6-point block Subtarsal block Tibial and peroneal block

Answer 21

Palmar digital nerve block Holding the limb off the ground with the left hand at the distal metacarpus for a left forelimb allow the fetlock to extend due to the weight of the distal limb. The left thumb is placed on the ergot and it is pulled proximally to tense the ligaments of the ergot which pass distally to the collateral cartilages. These can then be palpated with the right hand. The palmar digital nerves come out from under the ligament of the ergot half way down the pastern and pass directly distally to run under the axial surface of the collateral cartilages. The nerve is difficult to palpate. The injection site is the intersection of the collateral cartilage and the palmar aspect of the pastern. A 25mm 21g needle is passed distally to approximately half its length. Inject 2ml both medially and laterally at this site. This blocks the whole sole, all the foot and its contents except the dorsal coronary band and varying amounts of the pastern depending on the level the nerve is blocked.

Answer 22

Pastern ring block Both the palmar digital nerve and its dorsal branch are blocked mid pastern. The limb is held as for the palmar digital nerve block. The palmar digital nerve is blocked midpastern where is comes out from under the ligament of the ergot. Two ml is injected at this site and the needle is partially withdrawn and redirected dorsally injecting slowly as the needle is pushed forward to expand the subcutaneous space. Another 2ml is deposited approximately 1.5cm dorsal to the first injection site to block the dorsal branch. This blocks the whole foot and distal interphalangeal joint.

Answer 23

Abaxial sesamoid nerve block The limb is held as for the previous blocks but with the hand slightly higher on the metacarpus. The palmar vein, artery and nerve are palpated on the abaxial surface of the sesamoid bone and a 25mm 21g needle is placed parallel and immediately palmar them to half its length. Two to three ml of local anaesthetic is injected. This blocks the same structures as the pastern ring block as well as the proximal sesamoid bones.

Answer 24

Low four point nerve block With the foot held between the knees both hands are now free to perform the block. The palmar nerves are blocked midmetacarpus in the groove between the suspensory ligament and the flexor tendons. A 25mm 21g needle can be passed proximally or distally depending on your preference. The palmar metacarpal nerves are then blocked where they emerge from under the buttons of the splint bones. The needle is passed proximally to hit the button of the splint bone. It is then slightly withdrawn before injecting. This is slightly deeper than other blocks.

Answer 25

Subcarpal nerve block Hold the limb as for the low 4 point block. Palpate the palmar aspect of the splint bones proximally. The level of injection should be just below the level of the carpometacarpal joint. The flexor tendons are pushed axially and a 3.75mm 21g needle is passed axial to the splint bone to hit the palmar aspect of the metacarpus at its junction with the splint bone. Three ml of local anaesthetic is injected at both lateral and medial sites.

Answer 26

\* the roots of the 3rd-6th cheek teeth lie in the maxillary sinuses

Answer 27

The frontal sinus occupies the skull from a point midway between the infraorbital foramen and the medial canthus of the eye to a point midway between the caudal edges of the orbit. The frontal sinus is divided into right and left compartments by a midline septum. The conchofrontal sinus is formed by a communication between the rostromedial frontal sinus and the dorsal conchal sinus. The frontomaxillary aperture is a large area of communication between the frontal sinus and the caudal maxillary sinus, this is important to allow drainage. Blood supply to the frontal sinus is provided by the ethmoidal artery.

Answer 28

Coffin joint

Equine Practical Exam Flashcards

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