NAVLE Equine Surgery and Lameness Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 10-year-old Quarter Horse presents with a chronic, intermittent, bilateral forelimb lameness that worsens on hard surfaces.
The horse points the affected feet and shows a shortened cranial phase of the stride.
Hoof tester application across the heels elicits a painful response.
A palmar digital nerve block significantly improves the lameness.
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Navicular syndrome

Answer

Laminitis

Answer

Coffin joint septic arthritis

Answer

Sole abscess

Question 2

A 4-week-old foal presents with a carpal valgus deformity of the right forelimb. The deviation is moderate and has not improved with stall rest and corrective hoof trimming. What is the most appropriate next step in managing this case to achieve a successful outcome?

Accepted Answer

Perform periosteal stripping on the medial aspect of the distal radius.

Answer

Continue conservative management as the growth plates will close soon.

Answer

Perform transphyseal bridging on the medial aspect of the distal radius.

Answer

Recommend euthanasia due to a poor prognosis for athletic function.

Question 3

A 12-year-old Thoroughbred mare undergoes an emergency exploratory celiotomy for a large colon volvulus. Which of the following is the most common post-operative complication that can significantly impact morbidity and mortality in the immediate post-surgical period?

Accepted Answer

Post-operative ileus (POI)

Answer

Incisional infection

Answer

Laminitis

Answer

Adhesion formation

Question 4

A horse presents with a sudden onset of severe, non-weight bearing lameness of the left hindlimb. The tarsocrural joint is markedly distended, warm, and painful on palpation. Arthrocentesis reveals a turbid, yellow synovial fluid with a total protein of 5.2 g/dL and a nucleated cell count of 95,000 cells/µL, with 92% neutrophils. What is the most critical and effective treatment for this condition?

Accepted Answer

Joint lavage and systemic broad-spectrum antibiotics

Answer

Systemic antibiotics and stall rest alone

Answer

Intra-articular corticosteroids and bandaging

Answer

Application of a cast and long-term NSAID administration

Question 5

A 6-year-old horse is presented with a history of spontaneous, severe epistaxis (nosebleed) from the right nostril. Endoscopic examination reveals a large, diphtheritic membrane on the dorsal aspect of the right guttural pouch, overlying the internal carotid artery. What is the most definitive treatment to prevent a fatal hemorrhage in this horse?

Accepted Answer

Transarterial coil embolization of the affected artery

Answer

Long-term systemic antifungal therapy

Answer

Daily lavage of the guttural pouch with povidone-iodine

Answer

Surgical removal of the fungal plaque

Question 6

Which of the following describes the classic gait abnormality associated with Australian stringhalt?

Accepted Answer

A spastic, involuntary hyperflexion of one or both hindlimbs during movement.

Answer

A short, choppy stride in the forelimbs, often described as 'walking on eggshells'.

Answer

Ataxia and paresis, most pronounced in the hindlimbs, that worsens with circling.

Answer

A dragging of the toes of the hind feet, resulting in squared-off hoof wear.