b'YOUR GUIDE TO THE 2017 AAEP CONVENTION SPONSORED BY Minimally Invasive Ovary Removalovariectomy, and dorsally (while$1,500, and horses can go back on the back) recumbent midlineto work after two weeks of stall Methods on the Riseovariectomy (via the abdominalrest and hand-walking.wall).Laterally recumbent Although these techniqueslaparoscopic ovariectomy have been commonly used, theyThis procedure is only practical are rapidly being replaced byfor removing one ovary and is minimally invasivelaparo- performed under general anes-scopic ovariectomies, he said. thesia. It costs about $2,000, Laparoscopy involves insert- and mares can start back in light ing an endoscope and surgicalwork after four weeks of stall rest.instruments through one or moreHendrickson said he and small incisions; vets can performhis colleagues rarely use this a standing ovariectomy withoutmethod anymore because in general anesthesia. The threemost cases the procedure can be COURTESY DR. DEAN HENDRICKSON techniques they use include: performed in the standing mare.A standing flank laparoscopic ovariectomy Standing-flank laparo- Dorsally recumbent lapa-scopic ovariectomy Hendrick- roscopic ovariectomy This is Horse owners might want toas the owners pocketbook.son said this is his preferredalso performed under general an-have their mares ovaries surgi- Dean Hendrickson, DVM, Dipl.technique, performed throughesthesia, with the horse hoisted cally removed for a variety ofACVS, a professor of equineone or both flanks in the stand- upside down. It costs $2,000 reasons: to prevent pregnancy,surgery at Colorado Stateing sedated mare.and involves four weeks of stall get rid of tumors, or, most com- Universitys Veterinary TeachingIn my opinion, standing lapa- rest. Hendrickson rarely uses this monly, resolve behavioral issues. Hospital, reviewed those options. roscopic ovariectomy is easierapproach anymore, either.While surgeons still considerTraditional methods can costto perform than while underLaparoscopy is a beautiful traditional ovariectomy methods$2,500-3,000 and includegeneral anesthesia, given thatthing, he said, adding that while effective, theyve come to favorstanding colpotomy (donethe ovary hangs from the dorsalit requires very specialized equip-several newer procedures thatthrough the vagina), recum- body wall, he said. ment, the training to use it is are easier on the horse as wellbent (while lying down) flankThe surgery costs aboutreasonable.Alexandra BeckstettMariana Diel de Amorim, DVM, DVSc,mare has a pendulous uterus, however,position in the uterus or because theyve Dipl. ACT, whos on faculty at Cornell Uni- transrectal ultrasound examination isgrown into the endometrium.versitys College of Veterinary Medicine. imperative, she said. For more complex cases, vets can use In addition to unreliably mitigatingIf marble retrieval is expected to takevideohysteroscopy and endoscopy. They estrus, marbles can be ejected from thelonger than 20 minutes or if hysteroscopycan use one of several endoscopic tools, uterus without the owners knowledge.(using endoscopy through the cervix toincluding snares, loops, and baskets for When they do remain in place, they caninspect the uterus) is necessary, Diel degrabbing and manipulation. They fill the be forgotten about and/or difficult to findAmorim recommends sedating the mare.uterus with air and work as a team to re-and remove, Diel de Amorim said.The procedure is also easiest when a maremove the marble using one of these tools.Intrauterine marbles are usually eitheris in estrus because the cervix is softer andIn summary, veterinarians retrieve most 25 or 35 mm in size, the larger (heavier)more easily dilated. The vet can inducemarbles from the mare uterus manually; of which are harder to remove, especiallyestrus with a prostaglandin if necessary.however, more challenging cases might when mares have a pendulous uterus (oneVeterinarians can remove some easilybenefit from hysteroscopy tools.that hangs down loosely).accessible marbles with a sterile, glovedMarbles are nonmedically approved Diel de Amorim said vets have associ- hand or a two-handed approach, onedevices, and several reports have war-ated these marbles with: through the rectum to manipulate theranted their retirement, said Diel dePyometra (uterine infection); marble from outside the uterus throughAmorim. h Adhesions (internal scarring); the cervix, the other to retrieve the marbleFailure to cycle; via the vagina. This has an increased risk Chronic endometritis (inflammation ofof rectal tear, so it might be easier to do the uterine lining); hysteroscopy than having to do severale Infertility; and rectal and vaginal manipulations, Diel deVisit TheHorse.com/AAEP2017 Abortion. Amorim said. Vets usually find marbles via uterineOther objects might be more challeng-Behavior Problems in Mares: Ovaries Arent palpation or transrectal ultrasound. If aing to remove, either because of theirAlways to Blame, TheHorse.com/40217A30 TheHorse.com/AAEP2017 AAEP Wrap-Up THE HORSEMarch 2018'