Distal limb pathologic conditions in horses treated with sleeve-style digital cryotherapy (285 cases).

This research aimed to understand the potential risks and effects of a specific type of cryotherapy treatment, known as sleeve style digital cryotherapy (SSDC), on horses. It found that extended exposure to SSDC was associated with an increased incidence of tissue damage to the distal limbs of horses.

Research Overview

• The study was a retrospective analysis of 285 horses treated with SSDC for a minimum of 12 hours from 2011 to 2015.
• The researchers examined medical records and looked at demographic data, treatment information, diagnostic findings, and specific SSDC treatment parameters.
• Statistical tools, including bivariate statistics and a generalized linear regression model were used to investigate risk factors related to a higher occurrence of distal limb pathologic conditions (DLPC), or tissue damage to the horse’s limb.

Findings

• The study found that 7% of horses treated with SSDC showed signs of tissue injury to the distal limb.
• Increasing the duration of SSDC treatment was related to a higher rate of DLPCs. Therefore, prolonged exposure to SSDC could increase the risk of tissue damage.
• The tissue damage observed included dermatitis, cellulitis, alopecia (hair loss), coronitis (skin infection), tissue necrosis (tissue death), and distal limb edema (swelling).
• The injuries appeared akin to frostbite, non-freezing cold injury and conditions caused by prolonged water immersion seen in other species.

Recommendations and Conclusion

• Despite the observed low incidence of DLPC, researchers cautioned horse caretakers to closely monitor horses undergoing SSDC for potential injuries, especially when treatment is prolonged.
• The researchers underscored the need for further study to improve the safety, effectiveness, and convenience of alternative methods of digital cryotherapy for horses.