Effect of oxytetracycline on metacarpophalangeal and distal interphalangeal joint angles in newborn foals.

This research explores the effects of oxytetracycline on the joint angles of newborn foals. It found that oxytetracycline induces a temporary, moderate decrease in the angle of the metacarpophalangeal joint within the first day of treatment, returning to normal levels after about four days.

Study Design and Participants

• The study involved 35 newborn foals, divided into three groups, each receiving different treatments within the first 36 hours after birth.
• Group 1 received a saline solution (0.9% NaCl); Group 2 received oxytetracycline (44 mg/kg of body weight); Group 3 received 2-pyrrolidone, an oxytetracycline vehicle, in saline solution. Each group consisted of 11 or 12 foals.

Methodology

• Blood samples were collected from Group 1 and Group 2 foals for serum biochemical analyses prior to the treatment and 24 and 96 hours post-treatment.
• Radiographic views of the forelimbs were obtained for all foals in the three groups, both before and 24 and 96 hours post-treatment, for measurement of the metacarpophalangeal and distal interphalangeal joint angles.

Findings

• There were no significant changes in the blood chemistry values, apart from those typically observed in newborn foals. This suggests that the treatments themselves did not induce abnormal biochemical reactions in the foals.
• A significant decrease in the average angle of the metacarpophalangeal joint was found in the foals treated with oxytetracycline, 24 hours after treatment, in comparison to Groups 1 and 3.

Conclusion

• The average angle of the metacarpophalangeal joint returned to its pretreatment value by the 96th hour from the start of the oxytetracycline treatment.
• This suggests that oxytetracycline can efficiently induce a temporary moderate decrease in the angle of the metacarpophalangeal joint in newborn foals, offering potential applications in equine medicine or veterinary science, particularly for conditions involving joint angle abnormalities.