Instructions for Use

Patient Signalment: Nine-year-old Quarter Horse Mare
Diagnosis: Right Hind Dorsal Fetlock Laceration and Trauma

INITIAL SURGERY

Diagnosis and Procedure (April 3, 2024):

Mare presented with a severe right hind dorsal fetlock laceration and trauma. The injury included torn joint capsule transected digital extensor tendon. surgical intervention included:

• Surgical debridement: Removal of damaged tissue to prevent infection.
• Regional limb perfusion: Infusion of 500 mg of Meropenem and 60 cc of saline to deliver antibiotics directly to the affected area.
• Fetlock joint lavage: Cleansing of the joint using Povidone-Iodine in Lactated Ringer’s.
• Vetlen Pouch placement: Dosed with 9 ml Amikacin (250 mg/ml) daily.
• Wound closure: Skin laceration was closed, although much of the subcutaneous tissue was too damaged to repair fully.

Assessment: Despite the extensive trauma, including a shredded extensor tendon and avulsed joint capsule, initial surgery aimed to stabilize the limb and minimize infection. A cast was applied to immobilize the fetlock, critical for healing given the tissue damage. The Vetlen Pouch's efficacy would be monitored, and the cast might be changed based on the mare’s comfort and healing progress.

Follow-Up Examination & Vetlen Pouch Explantation (April 18, 2024) Examination Findings:

• Healing status: The wound and joint capsule were healing well with minimal skin loss.
• Lameness: 5/5 Lame initially post-injury.
• Suture removal and cast change: The wound showed favorable healing, indicating effective management of infection and tissue repair.

Prognosis and Recommendations: The extensor tendon typically requires 3-4 months for functional healing. The next cast change was scheduled for May 1st, transitioning to a bandage cast and eventually a splint to protect the fetlock from excessive flexion.

Follow-Up Examination (May 2, 2024)

Four weeks post-trauma, mare showed significant healing of the fetlock joint capsule avulsion, long digital extensor tendon transection, and dorsal fetlock laceration.

Examination Findings:

• Lameness: 0/5 Lame at the walk, indicating significant improvement.
• Wound condition: Healthy granulation tissue filled the wound, though some skin loss due to disrupted blood supply was noted.
• Radiographs: Normal, with no bone or joint damage.
• Cast change: Transitioned from an immobilizing cast to a bandage cast to allow controlled motion while preventing excessive flexion.

Prognosis and Recommendations: The prognosis remained favorable. Continued stall rest and careful monitoring were advised. The bandage cast would be split into a splint in one week to protect the healing tendon. The support shoe on the left hind foot would remain for another 1-2 weeks. Hand grazing would commence in two weeks, with targeted purposeful walking starting two months post-injury.

Future Management: Mare’s recovery trajectory was positive, with careful management ensuring the tendon and joint capsule heal without complications. Monitoring for any signs of infection or discomfort remained crucial, with adaptive treatment based on her progress.

Conclusion: Mare’s case demonstrates the potential of the Vetlen Pouch in managing severe equine wounds by providing sustained local antibiotic delivery. Her recovery, though complex, highlights the importance of innovative veterinary devices in improving treatment outcomes for traumatic injuries.

Patient Signalment: Seven-year-old Male (Neutered) German Shepherd

Diagnosis: Chronic multi-drug resistant wound (> 1 year) lateral to anus

INITIAL SURGERY

History and Vetlen Pouch Placement:

• The patient presented with a chronic wound of greater than one year lateral to the anus. This is not a perianal fistula.
• Culture shows multi-drug resistance (MDR) Staphylococcus pseudointermedius.
• Due to the location, closure rather than open wound management was desirable.
• The Vetlen Pouch was placed on April 19, 2024.
• Treated with Amikacin – 5 mL @ 250 mg/mL for 1 week.

Assessment:

The Vetlen Pouch offers an additional option for longer-term administration. The pouch was great for this patient as it spared them the potential adverse effects from systemic administration. The Vetlen Pouch was removed on April 26, 2024.

The patient healed well and there has been no recurrence.

Patient Signalment: Six-Year-Old Quarter Horse Gelding

Diagnosis: Infected Supraspinous Bursa (Fistulous Withers)

INITIAL SURGERY

Diagnosis and Procedure:

Current case is an infected supraspinous bursa, failed medical management. Resection of the affected nuchal ligament and bursa performed after about four weeks of medical management. Picture of wound prior to pouch placement on December 16, 2023.

• Antibiotic prescribed: Amikacin 250 mg/ml
• Daily dose administered: 5 ml
• Days of treatment: 26 days
• Additional treatments: Ceftiofur sodium and gentamicin systemically dosed for the first 16 days of treatment.
• Culture result: A very resistant Enterobacter cloacae susceptible to amikacin and imipenem.

Vetlen Pouch Explanation

Infused 20 ml lidocaine (two percent) one hour prior to removal, and mildly sedated the patient at time of removal. The pouch came out seamlessly without any issues and was a very painless experience for both the patient and doctor.

Vetlen Pouch Assessment

The Vetlen Pouch allowed for targeted antimicrobial therapy when dealing with a deep surgical site infection, which cultured a multi-drug-resistant bacteria. Systemic administration of the necessary antimicrobial would have been extremely cost prohibitive, and the pouch allowed for easy, daily dosing (once) at a much smaller, but locally effective volume. Additional wound care and treatment of the surgical site was also possible while leaving the pouch in situ. I would absolutely consider the use of this product for other cases in the future.