Figure 2. Photograph of a horse with hindlimb digital flexor tendon sheath effusion. Note the ‘notch’ created by the constrictive plantar annular ligament (green arrow), resulting in effusion bulging proximal and distal to this level.

Diagnosis of digital flexor tendon sheath conditions in the horse

The digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) is a synovial cavity occupying the distal third of the palmar metacarpus/plantar metatarsus and the palmar/plantar pastern, to the level of the middle phalanx....

Figure 5. Ultrasound assisted liver biopsy. The white marks on the horse's coat just outside the shaved area are the guidance marks placed during the preparatory ultrasound. The biopsy needle should be pre-marked for the correct depth.

Equine liver disease in the field. Part 1: approach

The equine liver comprises 1.5% of body weight (Dyce et al, 2002) and contains up to 10% of the total blood volume at any one time. It has multiple functions including metabolism of proteins,...