Poor performance in athletic horses due to musculoskeletal affections is very common in Libya. Two mature thoroughbred horses suffering from poor performance and history of moderate degree forelimb lameness were admitted to the Aswany Private Equine clinic in Tripoli, Libya. The study is aiming for presenting a simple, time effective, cost effective surgical procedure to treat distal simple splint bone fracture in thoroughbred horses. Horses were examined thoroughly for the common muscle, hoof, and tendons affections. A progressed unilateral left forelimb swelling involving the lateral distal part of the fourth metacarpal bones was noticed. Three radiographs were taken to each horse including latero- medial, dorsolateral-palmaromedial, and palmarolateral-dorsomedial views to assess both splint bones. The radiographs showed that there is a complete fracture involving the distal extremity (button) of the fourth metacarpal bones. Surgical excisions of the fractured part of the splint bones have been decided to treat these horses. To precisely locate the site of the bone fragments, 1.5 mm stainless steel wires were placed over the distal part of splint prior to taking the radiographs. The surgical sites were aseptically prepared, and the horses were then sedated via intravenous injection of xylazine at a dose rate of 1 mg/kg body weight. The site of surgical incision was infiltrated with 2% lidocaine. The bone fragments were then removed after performing the surgical incision. The sharp end at the distal end of the proximal part of the splint bone was then smoothening with a scissor. The surgical incisions were then routinely closed and the post-operative care and radiographs were taken. The surgical incision made complete healing within two weeks. Both horses were followed up for up to three years post-operation, and they did well compared to what has been done in other studies. We concluded that the surgical technique used to treat the two horses with splint bone fracture enrolled in the current study is a simple and effective procedure. arabic 19 English 106
Mohamed H. Abushhiwa, Osma K Sawesi, Khaled A. Milad, Aiman. A. Shalgum, Abdulrhman Mohamed Salah Alrtib(9-2019)

Background: Patellar luxation (PL) is a common orthopedic affection among farm and pet animals with mostly congenital (environmental and/or genetic) background. Aim: We report here the first observation of lateral PL in Hejazi goats bred in Libya. Methods: Five Hejazi goats aged between 4 months and 2 years with severe hind limb lameness were admitted to Al-Sorouh veterinary clinic in Tripoli during the period from 2016 to 2018. The goats were thoroughly examined clinically and radiographically. Two goats were surgically treated, and the other three cases were not because of either the cost limitation or expected poor prognosis. The surgical intervention involved femoral trochlear sulcoplasty, medial joint capsule imbrication, and tibial tuberosity transposition. Results: The clinical examination showed grade III–IV lateral PL. Radiologically, there were unilateral or bilateral, ventrocaudal, and dorsal PLs. Two cases were referred to surgical correction. One case almost restored the normal movement of stifle joint together with a good general status 1 year postsurgery. However, the surgical treatment was not effective in correcting the luxated patella in the second case. Conclusion: Lateral PL is common among orthopedic affections in Hejazi goats in Libya, and its surgical treatment provided a quite convenient approach. An association between inbreeding and the PL was suggested in those cases. Keywords: Clinical and radiological findings, Hejazi goat breed, Inbreeding, Patellar luxation, Surgical treatment.
Mohamed Hamrouni S. Abushhiwa, Abdulrhman Mohamed Salah Alrtib, Taher N. Elmeshreghi, Mouna Abdunnabi Abdunnabi Abdunnabi, Mansur Ennuri Moftah Shmela, Emad M R Bennour(3-2021)

Objective: Metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) radiographic parameters were developed to evaluate MCPJ conformation of equine forelimbs, but the effect of joint rotation during radiography on these parameters has not been reported. The current study examined the effect of the rotation around the vertical axis of MCPJ on 27 MCPJ parameters (12 angles and 15 ratios) and identified the acceptable range of rotation at which minimal amount of changes occurred in these parameters. Design: Descriptive study Animals: MCPJs of seven right forelimbs from seven different horses with no MCPJ abnormalities. Procedures: MCPJs of seven right equine forelimbs were loaded in a load cell to obtain the normal MCPJ angle. They were frozen at −20C° and then scanned using a CT-scan machine. The collected slices were reconstructed to obtain a 3D model of MCPJs, and the dorsopalmar view at zero angle (ZDP) were identified. The view was then rotated around the vertical axis of MCPJ. Snapshots were taken for MCPJ at −10°, −5°, Zero, +5° and +10° angles. All the parameters were measured on the total 35 radiographs and statistically analysed. Differences were estimated per 5° of MCPJ rotation for all the parameters. Results:Generally, the ratio parameters were less affected than the angular parameters during MCPJ rotation. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Rotational angles of vertical ±10° from ZDP were considered as an acceptable range for reliable radiographic measurements of MCPJ parameters. Keywords Equine; fetlock; morphometry; radiology; rotation
Abdulrhman Mohamed Salah Alrtib, Aiman Hussein Saleh Oheida, Mohamed Hamrouni S. Abushhiwa, Helen M.S. Davies(12-2021)