Limbs Of Horses Research Articles

Diagnosis of Tendinites in Sport Horses

Sports horses during training and sporting events get injured to both the thoracic and pelvic limbs in the area of the metacarpus and metatarsus. In this regard, for the differential diagnosis of defeat tendon and ligament and other defeats of the limbs, biochemical blood parameters have been explored related to inflammation markers by visual studies in addition to clinical assessment of the intensity of inflammatory processes. Inflammatory processes in the animal’s body are judged by the results of aspirin test, by the level of molecules of average weight, sialic acids, circulating immune complexes. The research revealed changes in the blood of sick horses relatively to healthy ones. Some indicators of markers of inflammation were different: so indicators of aspirin test in the blood of sick animals it was at the level of – 0.028±0.002 c.u. in the blood of healthy animals it was – 0.015±0.002 c.u.; molecules of average weight in diseased animals were level – 0.216±0.009 c.u. and in healthy animals, this indicator was significantly lower and were 0.134±0.004 c.u.; index of sialic acid in the blood of sick animals was at the level of – 2.136±0.059 mmol/l, and in healthy horses – 0.419±0.027 mmol/l; circulating immune complexes in the concentration of PEG – 4.14% in sick horses were – 0.097±0.009 c.u. and in healthy – 0.149±0.011 c.u., at PEG 7.25 % in sick animals reached – 0.343±0.015 c.u. and – 0,174±0,011 c.u. in healthy horses; the content of lysozyme in the blood of sick horses was 145.71±3.98 mg/l, and in healthy animals – 143.57±3.97 mg/l. These studies suggest that changes in these indicators associated with the pathology of tendon-ligamentous apparatus of the limbs of sport horses.

Comprehensive Diagnostics of Musculoskeletal System Disorders in Sports Horses

The workwas aimed at studying the efficiency of the comprehensive examination of the limbs in sports horses for the presence of pathologies of the musculoskeletal apparatus. The article presents the results of comprehensive diagnostics of the musculoskeletal system disorders in sports horses. In particular, the diagnostics involved a hematological study of the blood of horses, radiography, and ultrasonography of the limbs. The comprehensive diagnostic tests were performed according to the existing standard methods. The authors have found that the use of only one method of functional diagnostics may result in a false logic of the development of the pathogenesis of the musculoskeletal disorder in horses, and consequently in iatrogenesis, and further in the culling of high-value horses from sports. In the authors’ opinion, verified diagnostics of the diseases of the musculoskeletal system in horses require the use of comprehensive diagnostic studies, which should include the data from the anamnesis, clinical examination, laboratory blood tests, and the results of ultrasonography and radiography.

Catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses on racetracks in Gauteng, South Africa.

The incidence and types of catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries in Thoroughbreds that resulted in euthanasia on selected racetracks in South Africa between 1998 and 2012 were investigated by an observational retrospective investigation. Data from the National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa for these racetracks were used to calculate incidence rates in Thoroughbreds (n = 114) that sustained catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries during racing that required immediate euthanasia, based on the diagnosis made by the on-site veterinarian as well as on fetlock radiographs and dissections of 53 cadaver limbs of horses that sustained a catastrophic musculoskeletal injury. The proximal sesamoid bones and the distal suspensory ligament were involved in 55.26% of horses; 73.58% of the cadaver limb radiographs were of the left forelimb, 64.15% were closed fractures, and 74.47% had biaxial proximal sesamoid bone fractures. Catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries occurred almost exclusively unilaterally and involved mostly the left front leg. The average incidence rate for a catastrophic musculoskeletal injury occurring in a year at any of the tracks was 0.6 of 1000 starts.

Association of catastrophic condylar fracture with bony changes of the third metacarpal bone identified by use of standing magnetic resonance imaging in forelimbs from cadavers of Thoroughbred racehorses in the United States.

OBJECTIVE To compare bony changes of the third metacarpal bone (MC3) of Thoroughbred racehorse cadavers with (cases) or without (controls) catastrophic condylar fracture by use of standing MRI. SAMPLE 140 forelimbs from 26 case horses (both forelimbs) and 88 control horses (single forelimb). PROCEDURES Bone marrow lesions (BMLs), identified as a decrease in T1-weighted (T1W) signal and increases in T2*-weighted (T2*W) and short tau inversion recovery (STIR) signals, and dense bone volume percentage (DBVP), identified as decreases in T1W, T2*W, and STIR signals, in the distopalmar aspect of MC3 were recorded. Logistic regression was used to compare fractured and nonfractured limbs of cases and fractured limbs of cases with randomly selected limbs of controls. RESULTS Among cases, fractured limbs were significantly more likely to have BMLs (26/26 [100%]) than were nonfractured limbs (7/26 [27%]). Fractured limbs of cases were significantly more likely to have BMLs (26/26 [100%]) than were limbs of controls (6/88 [7%]). Among cases, there was no significant difference in DBVP between fractured and nonfractured limbs in lateral (26% vs 21%, respectively) or medial (25% vs 20%, respectively) condyles. However, DBVP was significantly greater in fractured limbs of cases than in limbs of controls for lateral (26% vs 16%, respectively) and medial (25% vs 18%, respectively) condyles. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Standing MRI revealed a significantly greater degree of bone change in racehorses with condylar fracture when comparing fractured and nonfractured limbs of case horses and fractured limbs of case horses with randomly selected limbs of control horses.

A Preliminary Study on Second-Intention Healing of Full-Thickness Wounds on Equine Distal Forelimbs Treated With Maltodextrin

Equine distal limb wounds may be left to heal by second intention, a potentially slow method of healing. This study evaluated the effect of maltodextrin on second-intention healing of full-thickness equine distal limb wounds. A 4 × 4 cm full-thickness wound was created on the dorsal aspect of the metacarpus of each front limb in 8 horses. Wounds were randomly assigned to the control group (no treatment) or treatment group (maltodextrin applied daily starting one day after wound creation). Wounds were bandaged until the wound bed was filled with granulation tissue, then discontinued. Amount and quality of granulation tissue, amount of epithelialization, and presence of exudate were recorded until wounds were completely epithelialized by an investigator blinded to treatment. Wounds were photographed at each time point and wound area was determined using computer software. A repeated measures two-way ANOVA was performed to analyze wound area data over time. There was no difference in measured parameters over time or at any single time point between treated and control wounds. Treatment was discontinued on day 18 due to persistence of granulation tissue above the level of the epithelium in treated wounds. Treatment of open wounds with maltodextrin on distal limbs of horses promoted persistent excessive granulation tissue formation during day 12–17 following wound creation but did not affect wound healing after its discontinuation. The use of maltodextrin during the appropriate phases of wound healing may reduce initial wound enlargement and could potentially be used to promote granulation tissue formation.

Etiopathogenesis, treatment and prevention of aseptic inflammation of the joints of the limbs in sports horses

Etiopathogenesis, treatment and prevention of aseptic inflammation of the joints of the limbs in sports horses

Use of an aiming device and computed tomography for assisted debridement of subchondral cystic lesions in the limbs of horses.

To describe the use of an aiming device (AD) and computed tomography (CT) for preoperative planning and intraoperative guided debridement of subchondral cystic lesions (SCL) in the limbs of horses and to determine the outcome 12 months after surgery. Prospective case series. Twelve horses referred because of lameness caused by 1 or 2 SCL (total of 14 SCL). All horses underwent CT-guided debridement of the SCL. The entry point of the drill bit and direction of drilling were planned and controlled by using a series of CT images and the AD. The SCL were curetted and filled with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2. Surgical times were calculated, and the outcome was determined 12 months after surgery. The use of an AD and CT allowed precise and straightforward drilling of the SCL. The entry point of the drill bit into the SCL was considered optimal in 11 SCL and satisfactory in 3 SCL, and the lesions could be precisely debrided with preservation of the adjacent subchondral bone in all cases. There were no complications. Mean (range) surgery time was 75 (45-115) minutes. The outcome 12 months postoperatively was favorable in 10 of 11 horses. One horse died due to unrelated reasons. The use of CT and an AD allowed precise debridement of all SCL in the limbs of 12 horses. CT-guided surgical debridement of SCL of the equine digit appears to result in a favorable outcome.

Can quantitative computed tomography detect bone morphological changes associated with catastrophic proximal sesamoid bone fracture in Thoroughbred racehorses?

Fracture of the proximal sesamoid bones continues to be the most common fatal musculoskeletal injury in US racehorses. Identifying factors that influence fracture risk could lead to screening techniques to reduce catastrophic injury rates and improve animal welfare. To identify morphological differences between proximal sesamoid bones of the contralateral limb of fracture and control horses and assess the feasibility of computed tomography (CT) to detect traits associated with proximal sesamoid bone fracture. We hypothesised that horses with proximal sesamoid bone fracture would have greater bone density. Cross-sectional cadaver morphological study. Proximal sesamoid bone morphology was measured using high-resolution micro-CT images from 16 Thoroughbred racehorses (eight fracture, eight control) euthanised on New York racetracks. Nominal logistic regression models and receiver operating characteristic curves were created to assess the ability of CT-derived morphological traits to accurately classify fracture horses vs. controls. Bone volume fraction was greater in the fracture group (90.39 ± 1.76%) as compared to controls (87.20 ± 2.79%, P<0.0001). Bone volume fraction, bone width, trabecular thickness and degree of anisotropy were significantly different between fracture and control horses. Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that a combined model that incorporates bone volume fraction and width can identify fracture from control horses with an area under the curve of 0.938, indicating high accuracy at classifying fracture horses from controls. The number of horses per group is small, although the total number of sesamoids imaged is reasonable (n = 62). In vivo CT at the resolution performed in this study is currently unattainable; however, density and width could be measured with quantitative CT. Differences in proximal sesamoid bone morphology were identified between fracture and control horses. As improved technology becomes accessible, quantitative CT could potentially be used as a clinical imaging technique to estimate proximal sesamoid bone fracture risk in Thoroughbred racehorses.

Determining Direction of Axonal Flow in the Equine Ramus Communicans by Ultrastructural Examination of the Plantar Nerves 2 Months after Transecting the Ramus.

The ramus communicans, neural connection between medial and lateral plantar nerves of the horse, was transected to determine the degree to which medial and lateral plantar nerves contribute to the plantar ramus. After 2 months, sections of plantar nerves immediately proximal and distal to the communicating branch were collected and processed for electron microscopy. All examined nerves had undergone Wallerian degeneration and contained regenerating and mature fibers. Layers of the myelin sheath were separated by spaces and vacuoles, indicating demyelination of medial and lateral plantar nerves. Shrunken axons varied in diameter and were surrounded by an irregular axolemma. Shrunken axoplasm of both myelinated and non-myelinated fibers contained ruptured mitochondria and cristae, disintegrating cytoskeleton, and vacuoles of various sizes. The cytoplasm of neurolemmocytes contained various-sized vesicles, ruptured mitochondria within a fragile basal lamina and myelin whorls of multilayered structures indicative of Wallerian degeneration. These ultrastructural changes, found proximal and distal to the ramus in medial and lateral plantar nerves, suggest that axonal flow is bi-directional through the ramus communicans of the pelvic limbs of horses, a previously unreported finding. As well, maturity of nerves proximal and distal to the ramus indicates that all nerve fibers do not pass through the ramus.

РОЛЬ РЕНТГЕНОГРАФІЇ У ДІАГНОСТИЦІ ЗАХВОРЮВАНЬ ЛОКОМОТОРНОГО АПАРАТУ У КОНЯ (клінічний випадок)

The article presents the clinical case of the diagnosis of the disease of the locomotor apparatus in a horse according to clinical, ultrasound and X-ray studies. The given data testify that the implementation of radiography is one of the leading diagnostic methods and should be carried out in two projections (direct and lateral), which significantly increases the informativeness of the state of the morphostructure of the bones. The material for the study was a stallion of dark-skinny mascara, aged 4 years. For the diagnosis of diseases of locomotor apparatus horse used clinical studies, both in a state of rest, and when wiring in a circle. This type of diagnosis was carried out before and after novocaine perineural anesthesia of the tibialis (n. peronaeus profundus) nerves. Ultrasound studies of the tendon-binding apparatus, X-ray examination of all bones and joints of the distal part of the pelvic extremity, as well as X-ray of the knee joint, were performed. The horse was purchased in 2016. The general condition was normal. Hold a horse in a separate batch. Every day the horse was in training. In unknown circumstances, after 2 months, the horse started limping on the right pelvic floor. The performed clinical, X-ray and ultrasound investigations revealed the presence of damage to the tendon-binding apparatus in the area of ​​the bone marrow, inflammation of the intestinal muscle. X-ray examination of phalanges of the fingers of the limbs and knee joints of lesions of the destruction or bone densification was not revealed. At the end of May the horse was resection of the branch of the nerve. The result was negative ‒ plantar flexion and lameness remained unchanged. In September, the horse's husbandman turned to the specialists of the Department of Surgery. professor I.O. Kalashnik KDZVA, which was assigned an additional X-ray from the dorsal and planktonic surface of the pharyngeal joint. Additional X-ray findings have been found: epiphyseal, proximal, partially shifted to the tibia on the medial surface, and is composed of aseptic, diffuse periostitis with signs of detachment of the foam bone germ. In the inflammatory traumatic process, the tendons of the superficial and deep flexor and intercostal muscle are involved. The results of clinical studies indicate a chronic course of the disease. The forecast is cautious. All the above results of the research gave reason to pass that in this case the cause of the disease was the self-trauma of the right pelvis horse's limb. The results of our research and their conclusions were confirmed by experts from St. Petersburg and Berlin. The horse was prescribed: a dose-wiring for 10-15 minutes twice a day, intramuscular administration to the zone of affected tissues of dexamethasone in a dose of 4 ml with a 0.5% solution of novocaine every other day and the use of dimethoxide-novocaine-ihtiol compress, daily for 15 days At 35-40, signs of plantar flexion have almost disappeared. At this time, the horse is under the supervision of specialists in veterinary medicine, therapeutic measures are adjusted.

Evaluation of Three Methods of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Treatment of Equine Distal Limb Skin Wounds

Wounds localized on the distal limbs in horses are difficulty healing. No studies have been conducted to evaluate homologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in horses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect upon applying autologous PRP, homologous PRP, and autologous PRP gel on the wound healing process of wounds on the distal limb of horses. To study a possible correlation between the platelet count and wound healing time, four skin wounds of 4 cm2 were surgically created on the dorsolateral aspect of the third metacarpus in eight healthy adult horses. Each skin wound was randomly treated according to the established treatment groups (G): GI, treated with autologous PRP injection on the wound edges; GII treated topically with autologous PRP gel; and GIII homologous PRP injection on the wound edges and control group treated with saline solution injected on the wound edges. The animals were monitored every fifteen days throughout the wound healing process. The wound size was determined using a tape measure. Skin biopsies were obtained on the 15th and 30th day after the first PRP treatment. Autologous PRP gel treatment reduced the healing time in 15 days compared to the wounds of the control group. Histologically, GII presented a higher frequency of mild inflammation and mild to moderate neovascularization of biopsies 1 and 2. Platelet-rich plasma in gel form showed the best result on wound healing of the distal limb of horses in both clinical and histopathological evaluations. The homologous PRP is recommended for the recovery of animals with compromised hemodynamic conditions.

Does Diagnostic Analgesia in the Distal Aspect of the Limb of Horses Performed in a Clinical Situation Less Than 12 or 36 Hours Before Magnetic Resonance Imaging Result in Artifacts?

The potential effect of diagnostic analgesia performed <24 hours before magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has not been assessed. It is not known whether perineural or intrasynovial analgesia performed in a clinical setting in unsedated horses might result in more tissue trauma and consequently artifacts than in sedated horses in an experimental setting. The aims of this study were to assess whether diagnostic analgesia (using mepivacaine) in the distal aspect of the limb in a clinical setting in unsedated horses, performed on the day of (<12 hours) or the day before (<36 hours) high-field and low-field MRI, results in artifacts that could confound image interpretation. Cases were limbs which had undergone diagnostic analgesia in the distal aspect of the limb <36 hours before high-field (n = 17) or low-field (n = 55) MRI. Controls had MRI of the same region as cases but had not undergone diagnostic analgesia in the distal aspect of the limb <36 hours before MRI. The regions of possible injection sites were assessed for alteration in signal intensity and/or in the contour of the limb, altered tissue architecture, or a needle tract. Distension of the dorsal pouch of the distal interphalangeal joint and of the digital flexor tendon sheath was measured. There were no artifacts resulting from diagnostic analgesia performed within 12 or 36 hours preceding low-field or high-field MRI that could confound image interpretation. Results suggest that it is reasonable and safe (from an imaging point of view) to perform diagnostic analgesia in the distal aspect of the limb shortly before MRI.

Mechanics of evolutionary digit reduction in fossil horses (Equidae).

Digit reduction is a major trend that characterizes horse evolution, but its causes and consequences have rarely been quantitatively tested. Using beam analysis on fossilized centre metapodials, we tested how locomotor bone stresses changed with digit reduction and increasing body size across the horse lineage. Internal bone geometry was captured from 13 fossil horse genera that covered the breadth of the equid phylogeny and the spectrum of digit reduction and body sizes, from Hyracotherium to Equus To account for the load-bearing role of side digits, a novel, continuous measure of digit reduction was also established-toe reduction index (TRI). Our results show that without accounting for side digits, three-toed horses as late as Parahippus would have experienced physiologically untenable bone stresses. Conversely, when side digits are modelled as load-bearing, species at the base of the horse radiation through Equus probably maintained a similar safety factor to fracture stress. We conclude that the centre metapodial compensated for evolutionary digit reduction and body mass increases by becoming more resistant to bending through substantial positive allometry in internal geometry. These results lend support to two historical hypotheses: that increasing body mass selected for a single, robust metapodial rather than several smaller ones; and that, as horse limbs became elongated, the cost of inertia from the side toes outweighed their utility for stabilization or load-bearing.

An ultrasound‐guided, tendon‐sparing, lateral approach to injection of the navicular bursa

Navicular disease in the horse often requires injection of the navicular bursa. We have developed an ultrasound-guided, lateral needle approach to navicular bursocentesis, which avoids penetration of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) and the need for radiographic control. To describe and evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of an ultrasound-guided, lateral bursocentesis technique. Cadaveric and in vivo experiments. The navicular bursa in 62 cadaveric forelimbs of 31 horses and in both forelimbs of 26 live horses, positioned with the foot flexed in a navicular block, were submitted to lateral, ultrasound-guided injection of 1.5 ml radiocontrast agent. Lateromedial radiographs were taken to locate the contrast. A second injection of 0.5 ml methylene blue was administered during needle withdrawal in cadaveric limbs to investigate the needle pathway during dissection. Contrast agent was successfully deposited in the navicular bursa in 104 of 114 (91%) limbs and in the navicular bursa alone in 89 of 114 (78%) limbs. Dissection showed no evidence of penetration of the DDFT in cadaver limbs. Failure to inject the navicular bursa was significantly associated with poor quality of the ultrasound image (P = 0.04) and resulted in aberrant injection of the distal interphalangeal joint in five of 114 (4%) limbs, the peribursal soft tissues in four of 114 (4%) limbs and the digital flexor tendon sheath in one of 114 (0.9%) limbs. Synovial fluid was observed at the needle hub in 58% of live horses. It is unknown whether injection results obtained in the limbs of horses without disease can be extrapolated to horses with clinical disease of the podotrochlear apparatus. The localisation of contrast medium on radiographs may not accurately reflect the behaviour of local anaesthetic solution or therapeutic medications injected in the navicular bursa. This lateral, ultrasound-guided technique for injecting the navicular bursa is effective, does not penetrate the DDFT and avoids exposure of personnel to radiation.

Repeatability of the Cop Path Determined by an Individual Limb in Horses with Symmetric and Asymmetric Dorsal Wall Angles

Repeatability of the Cop Path Determined by an Individual Limb in Horses with Symmetric and Asymmetric Dorsal Wall Angles

Effects of repetition within trials and frequency of trial sessions on quantitative parameters of vertical force peak in horses with naturally occurring lameness.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the effects of vertical force peak (VFP) of repition within trials and between trial sessions in horses with naturally occurring appendicular lameness. ANIMALS 20 lame horses acclimated to trotting over a force plate. PROCEDURES Kinetic gait data were collected by use of a force plate regarding affected and contralateral limbs of lame horses that completed 5 valid repetitions in each of 5 sessions performed at 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours, constituting 1 trial/horse. Data were compared within and among repetitions and sessions, and factors influencing VFP values were identified. RESULTS VFP values differed for lame limbs after 3 valid repetitions were performed within a session and when the interval between sessions was 3 hours. Direction of change reflected less lameness (greater VFP). Lamer horses (≥ grade 4/5) had this finding to a greater degree than did less lame horses. Results were similar for contralateral limbs regarding valid repetitions within a session; however, VFP decreased when the interval between sessions exceeded 6 hours. The coefficient of variation for VFP was ≤ 8% within sessions and ≤ 6% between sessions. The asymmetry index for VFP did not change throughout the study. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Lameness profiles obtained through kinetic gait analysis of horses with naturally occurring lameness were most accurate when valid repetitions were limited to 3 and the interval between sessions within a trial was > 3 hours. Findings suggested that natural lameness may be as suitable as experimentally induced lameness for lameness research involving horses.

TREATMENT OF ASEPTIC DISEASES OF LIMB DISTAL PART JOINTS IN UZBEK SPORT HORSES

In this study a treatment was prescribed for the horses with the diagnosis of chronic aseptic synovitis and periarticular fibrosis. For all experimental groups (n=3) there was used the traditional method of treatment with only one difference, that for animals of the 1st group additionally auto–blood therapy processed with laser was used. For the animals of the second group there was injection auto–blood intramuscularly 0.5 ml.kg-1 of body mass of an animal and the preparation “Hondralon” in the doze of 2 ml intra-joint which strengthens the regeneration of cartilage tissue. And animals of the 3rd experimental group were treated only with traditional method. On the base of clinical observations, morphological, biochemical and immunological indexes of blood the most effective method of treatment of joint diseases of horse limb distal part was proved- application of parenteral injection of auto-blood and specific preparation “Hondralon” together with traditional methods of treatment and the period of treatment was reduced to 5 days in average.

Equine distal limb diagnostic anaesthesia: (2) Intrasynovial anaesthesia

Intrasynovial anaesthesia is appropriate when trying to localise lameness further following perineural anaesthesia, or if localising signs implicate the synovial cavity as the source of lameness. A thorough understanding of...

Design of a Bio-Inspired Equine Robot Prototype

Bio-inspired design is a science field attempting to create different technological systems based on the nature, as for example the bio-sensors, bio-materials and bio-actuators. These last are a new category of the bio-inspired design trying to develop new locomotion systems for mobile robotics taking as reference the behavior of different animals, like reptiles, birds and mammals such as the case of the horse. The study of the horse anatomy has allowed to create quadruped robots, showing important advantages over common mobile robots. One of these advantages is the operation in different types of environments, considering that a great part of the earth’s surface complicates the mobility of the robots based on wheels. In this way the present paper shows the design of a robot inspired to the behavior of the horse limb. In first place the design of a mathematical model of the horse skeleton and its muscles by using the Denavit-Hartenberg method was performed for further dynamic analysis. Once the dynamic analysis was done, the mechanical simulation with the zoometric data of Colombian horse of paso-fino type was elaborated by a CAD software known as SolidWorks, obtaining as a result the physical data related to the movement of the robot. The proposed design tries to conserve the proportion between biologic system and the bio-inspired robot, with the objective to achieve an optimum performance and similarity of mechanical develop, and its general structure.

The Effect of Intravenous Regional Perfusion of the Distal Limb With Amikacin Sulfate on Wounds Healing by Second Intention in Horses.

To compare the gross and histological effects of intravenous regional limb perfusion (IVRLP) using amikacin sulfate on second intention healing of distal limb wounds in adult horses with healing in untreated wounds. In vivo experimental study. Adult horses (n = 7). Two full thickness wounds (2.5 × 2.5 cm) were created aseptically on the dorsal aspect of each metacarpus and maintained under sterile bandages. One forelimb was randomly selected from each horse for IVRLP on days 2, 3, and 4 post-wounding. Sequential biopsies were taken from 1 wound on each limb to evaluate the histological effects of IVRLP. Photographs were obtained of nonbiopsied wounds from days 2 to 62 for gross assessment and wound measurement. Wound size and contraction, healing rate during and immediately after IVRLP treatment, total healing rate, and histological scores for edema, hemorrhage, inflammatory infiltrate, and fibrovascular proliferation were compared. No differences were observed between groups for wound size, wound contraction, healing rates during or after IVRLP treatment periods, or total healing rate. Wound size over time was larger in the IVRLP group compared with the control group; however, this difference did not reach statistical significance. Mononuclear cell infiltration was greater in the IVRLP group compared with controls. No differences were observed for other histological variables. All wounds healed without the formation of exuberant granulation tissue. Treatment for 3 consecutive days with IVRLP using amikacin sulfate did not negatively affect surgical wounds healing by second intention in the distal limb of horses.