Distal limb cast sores in horses: risk factors and early detection using thermography.
Abstract: There is a lack of evidence-based data on the prevalence, outcome and risk factors of distal limb cast sores, and no objective tool has been described for the early detection of cast sores. Objective: To investigate the prevalence, location, outcome and risk factors of cast sores after application of a distal limb cast and to determine whether static thermography of the cast is a valuable tool for the assessment of sores. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on horses treated with a distal limb cast. At each cast removal, cast sores were graded as superficial sores (SS), deep dermal sores (DS) or full thickness skin ulcerations (FS). In several cases, a thermographic evaluation of the cast was performed immediately prior to removal and differences in temperature (AT) between the coolest point of the cast and 2 cast regions predisposed for sore development (dorsoproximal mc/mtIII and palmar/plantar fetlock) were calculated. Results: Mean +/- s.d. total casting time of 70 horses was 31 +/- 18 days. Overall, 57 legs (81%) developed at least SS. Twenty-four legs (34%) ultimately developed DS and one horse had an FS. Multivariable analysis showed that the severity of sores was positively associated with increasing age (OR: 1.111, P = 0.028), a normal (vs. swollen) limb (OR: 3387, P = 0.023) and an increase in total casting time (OR per week: 1.363, P = 0.002). The thermographic evaluation (35 casts) revealed that the severity of sores was positively associated with increasing deltaT (OR: 2.100, P = 0.0005). The optimal cut-off values for the presence of SS and DS were set at, respectively, deltaT = 23 and 43 degrees C. Conclusions: Distal limb cast is a safe coaptation technique with increasing risk of developing sores with time. Thermography is a valuable and rapid clinical tool to monitor the development of cast sores.
Publication Date: 2009-03-24 PubMed ID: 19301577DOI: 10.2746/042516408x343046Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
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 research presents a study on the prevalence, outcomes, and risk factors associated with distal limb cast sores in horses, as well as the effectiveness of employing thermography, a heat detection method, as an early detection tool for such sores.
Objective and Methodology
- The research aimed to gain an understanding of the prevalence, location, impact, and factors contributing to distal limb cast sores in horses. It also intended to analyze the effectiveness of static thermography as an early detection tool for cast sores.
- A prospective study was conducted, and horses treated with a distal limb cast were evaluated. The sores were classified as superficial sores (SS), deep dermal sores (DS), or full-thickness skin ulcerations (FS).
- In specific instances, a thermographic evaluation of the cast was performed right before its removal, and the differences in temperature between the coolest point of the cast and two regions prone to the development of sores were calculated.
Results and Findings
- A total of 70 horses were examined during the research, and their average casting time was 31±18 days. Sores of at least superficial severity developed in 81% of the legs examined, with 34% of legs developing deep dermal sores, and one horse exhibiting a full-thickness skin ulceration.
- Various factors contributed to the severity of sores. Multivariable analysis depicted that the severity was directly related to the age of the horse and the total casting time. A normal (as against swollen) limb was another significant factor in sore severity.
- Thermographic evaluations further revealed a correlation between temperature differences (deltaT) and sore severity. The research determined deltaT = 23 and 43 degrees C as the optimal cut-off values for the presence of superficial sores and deep dermal sores, respectively.
Conclusions
- The research concluded that while distal limb casting is generally a safe technique, there is an increasing risk of developing sores over time.
- The study also found thermography to be an efficient and fast clinical instrument for the early detection of cast sores, affirming its notable value in managing horse health.
Cite This Article
APA
Levet T, Martens A, Devisscher L, Duchateau L, Bogaert L, Vlaminck L.
(2009).
Distal limb cast sores in horses: risk factors and early detection using thermography.
Equine Vet J, 41(1), 18-23.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516408x343046 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Surgery and Anaesthesiology, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Casts, Surgical / adverse effects
- Casts, Surgical / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Male
- Multivariate Analysis
- Pressure Ulcer / diagnosis
- Pressure Ulcer / epidemiology
- Pressure Ulcer / pathology
- Pressure Ulcer / veterinary
- Prevalence
- Prospective Studies
- Risk Factors
- Severity of Illness Index
- Thermography / methods
- Thermography / veterinary
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Herlofson EAG, Tavola F, Engdahl KS, Bergström AF. Evaluation of primary wound healing and potential complications after perioperative infiltration with lidocaine without adrenaline in surgical incisions in dogs and cats.. Acta Vet Scand 2023 Jun 13;65(1):21.
- Mieszkowska M, Adamiak Z, Holak P, Głodek J, Jastrzębska E, Wolińska K, Mieszkowski M. The Effect of Horse Shoeing with Egg Bar Shoes and Shoes with Wedge Pads on the Results of Thermal Imaging of the Equine Distal Limb.. Animals (Basel) 2021 May 21;11(6).
- Lin YC, Mullan S, Main DCJ. Optimising lameness detection in dairy cattle by using handheld infrared thermometers.. Vet Med Sci 2018 Apr 29;4(3):218-26.
- Całkosiński I, Dobrzyński M, Rosińczuk J, Dudek K, Chrószcz A, Fita K, Dymarek R. The use of infrared thermography as a rapid, quantitative, and noninvasive method for evaluation of inflammation response in different anatomical regions of rats.. Biomed Res Int 2015;2015:972535.
- Vainionpää M, Tienhaara EP, Raekallio M, Junnila J, Snellman M, Vainio O. Thermographic imaging of the superficial temperature in racing greyhounds before and after the race.. ScientificWorldJournal 2012;2012:182749.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
