1992
SURGERY OF HORSES
OBJECTIVES
General Objectives: as stated in the Red Book
Specific Objectives
Candidates attempting the membership examination will be expected to have a good
understanding of the principles of surgery and therapeutics and a sound working knowledge of
the management and diseases of horses treated surgically. Success indicates that the person has
demonstrated competence superior to colleagues in this field.
Description
The emphasis of the membership examination is why you would treat the patient in the manner
you propose. What you would do is of secondary importance but obviously still relevant.
The first paper will focus on the principles of surgery
The second paper will focus on the application of those surgical principles to clinical problems.
This could outline is a guide only and other matters may be considered in the examination. It is
suggested that the candidate seek further advice from the examiners prior to the examination.
Surgical Principles (Paper 1)
Wound healing
Local and Systemic factors affecting wound healing
Drugs affecting wound healing
Wound infection
Management of traumatic wounds
Biomechanics of fracture repair
Suture materials
Suture techniques
Principles of water, electrolyte and acid base therapy
Haemostatis
Shock
Systemic response to trauma
Drains
Dressings
Biopsy
Ionising radiation
Surgical diathermy
Cryosurgery
Principles of presurgical evaluation: radiology, clinical pathology, biopsy, endoscopy, ultrasound
Antibiotics - principles of selection and use
Implants, prostheses: types, use, complications, composition, biomechanics.
Surgical prognosis
Principles of anaesthesia: sufficient for the performance of routine anaesthesia, cardiopulmonary
resuscitation, and an awareness of the difficulties involved in the anaesthesia of the high risk
patient.
Application of surgical principles (Paper 2)
This will include all clinical problems an experienced general practitioner with a large surgical
load might be expected to face.
Oral/practical examination
This comprises kodachrome slides, radiographs and other clinically relevant material to assess the
candidates diagnostic skills, problem solving skills and ability to apply surgical principles to
clinical problems. This does not limit the examiners to whose discretion operative surgery may
be assessed.
BIBILOGRAPHY
Textbooks
Slatter. Textbook of Small Animal Surgery
Fackleman & Nunamaker. Manual of Internal Fixation in the Horse.
Jennings. The Practice of Large Animal Surgery
Mansman & McAllister. Equine Medicine & surgery AVP.
Stashak, Adams. Lameness in the Horse.
McIlwraith & Turner. Advanced Techniques in Large Animal Surgery.
Turner & McIlwraith. Techniques in Large Animal Surgery.
McIlwraith. Diagnostic and Surgical Arthroscopy in the Horse.
Vaugghan & Walker. Bovine & Equine Urogenital Surgery.
Robinson. Current Therapy in Equine Medicine.
Milne & Turner. At Atlas of Surgical Approaches to the Bones of the Horse.
White. Equine Acute Abdomen.
Jill Beech. Equine Respiratory Disorders
White. Current Practice in Equine Surgery.
Traube, Dargatz. Equine Endoscopy.
Pascoe. Colour Atlas of Equine Dermatology.
Koterba. Equine Clinical Neonatology.
Journals
Veterinary Surgery
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Compendium of Continuing Education
Veterinary Clinics of North America
Equine Veterinary Journals
Australian Veterinary Journal
New Zealand Veterinary Journal
American Association of Equine Practitioners Proceedings
FURTHER INFORMATION
Chief Examiner
The College Office.