www.texasequineva.com • 17
This was a 10 year Warmblood
gelding that was referred to the
hospital for retrieval of a lost
acupuncture needle. The horse
was having an acupuncture session
on the farm. After a needle was
placed the epaxial musculature
in the thoracic region, the horse
apparently had a strong panniculus
reflex and the needle sheared and
disappeared from sight.
Upon arrival, the horse was clinically normal aside from being overly excited. Survey
radiographs of the dorsal spine were able to identify the lost needle, which was markedly
curled. Dots of barium were placed on the skin of the horse in a grid pattern and the
horse was re-radiographed to narrow down the exact location of the needle. Ultrasound
was then used to guide a small skin incision. The needle was located well below the
dermis buried in the epaxial musculature curled upon itself. He had an uneventful
recovery. I'm unsure if this is an isolated incident or not, but I have never heard of this
happening before or since.
Foreign BODY
Series
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kevin Claunch, DVM, DACVS-
LA, graduated from Texas
A&M University College
of Veterinary Medicine
in 2010. He completed
an internship at Rood &
Riddle Equine Hospital
in Lexington, Kentucky, in
2011 followed by a surgical
residency at the University of
Georgia 2011–2014. He joined
Weems & Stephens Equine Hospital
in Aubrey, Texas, in 2014 and became a Diplomate of
the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2015.
Clinical interests include all aspects of equine surgery
including orthopedic, upper airway, and laparoscopic
surgery as well as lameness.
What is the craziest thing that you have
removed (or found) in a horse?
We want to hear from you!
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by Kevin Claunch, DVM, DACVS
The
