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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Med Sci / Bilateral patellar aplasia in a foal.
Veterinary medicine and science2023; 9(3); 1143-1148; doi: 10.1002/vms3.1083

Bilateral patellar aplasia in a foal.

Abstract: A 2-day-old Cleveland Bay colt was referred to the Equine Emergency Service of the Farm Animal and Equine Veterinary Medical Center at North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine for evaluation of decreased nursing behaviour and right hindlimb lameness of 2 days' duration. When assisted to stand, the foal was unable to extend either hindlimb or bear weight on the hindlimbs, the right patella was luxated laterally and unable to be reduced, and the foal assumed a crouched position. Stifle radiographs revealed minimal, heterogeneous, ill-defined ossification of both patellae. Due to the severity of the musculoskeletal defects, humane euthanasia was elected. Post-mortem examination identified a congenital malformation of both patella bones with failure of ossification and cardiac changes suggestive of right atrioventricular valve dysplasia. Histology of the patellae showed no evidence of osteoid deposition or ossification. To our knowledge, bilateral congenital patellar aplasia has not been previously described in foals.
© 2023 The Authors. Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2023-02-03 PubMed ID: 36734120PubMed Central: PMC10188065DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1083Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study presents a unique case of a 2-day-old foal experiencing walking problems, which was later discovered to have born with both knee-cap or patella bones deformed and underdeveloped, a condition not previously seen in foals.

Overview of the Case

  • A 2-day-old colt of the Cleveland Bay breed was brought to the Farm Animal and Equine Veterinary Medical Center at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
  • The foal showed decreased nursing behavior and lameness in its right hindlimb since birth. Its inability to bear weight on its hindlimbs and extend them suggested a serious issue with its hindlimbs.
  • Upon physical assessment, it was found that the right patella was dislocated, and the foal took a crouched position indicating discomfort or pain in standing or walking.

Radiographic Analysis and Findings

  • Stifle radiographs (X-rays of the knee joint) were taken which showed unsatisfactory ossification or bone formation in both patellae or kneecaps. The ossification appeared minimal, heterogeneous, and ill-defined.
  • The severity of these musculoskeletal defects led the veterinarians to consider humane euthanasia for the foal.

Post-Mortem Examination and Results

  • A detailed examination after euthanization revealed that the foal had a congenital malformation in both the patellae, meaning these defects were present from its birth.
  • Not only were the patella bones improperly formed, but there was also a complete failure of ossification, rendering them weak and undeveloped.
  • The autopsy also revealed cardiac abnormalities suggesting right atrioventricular valve dysplasia, a condition that affects the functioning of heart valves.
  • Further, the microscopic examination of the patellae or histology did not show any evidence of osteoid deposition or new bone formation.
  • This case represented the first documented occurrence of bilateral congenital patellar aplasia (malformation and underdevelopment of both kneecaps) in a foal.

Cite This Article

APA
Ludwig EK, Hallowell K, Womble M, O'Neil E. (2023). Bilateral patellar aplasia in a foal. Vet Med Sci, 9(3), 1143-1148. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1083

Publication

Veterinary medicine and science
ISSN: 2053-1095
NlmUniqueID: 101678837
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 3
Pages: 1143-1148

Researcher Affiliations

Ludwig, Elsa K
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Hallowell, Kim
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Womble, Mandy
  • Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina.
O'Neil, Erin
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina.

MeSH Terms

  • Male
  • Musculoskeletal Abnormalities
  • Patella / diagnostic imaging
  • Patella / abnormalities
  • Patella / pathology
  • Hindlimb
  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Animals, Domestic

Conflict of Interest Statement

No conflicts of interest have been declared.

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