Eosinophilic synovitis of the tarsocrural joint in a horse.

This research article presents a case study of a rare disease, Eosinophilic Synovitis (ES), in an Hispano-Arabian gelding horse, which was treated successfully with joint lavage and medication.

Introduction to Eosinophilic Synovitis

• Eosinophilic synovitis (ES) is an uncommon disease, with few documented cases in both human and veterinary medicine.
• ES involves an inflammation of the synovial membrane, which is the lining of the joints.
• The disease is characterized by a high count of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, in the synovial fluid.
• Only three prior cases of ES in horses have been reported before this study.

Case Presentation

• The subject of the case study is an Hispano-Arabian gelding horse that was admitted due to severe joint effusion (swelling due to excess fluid) and lameness in the right tarsocrural joint, one of the main joints in the horse’s hind leg.
• Analysis of the horse’s synovial fluid revealed an increased count of white blood cells (WBCs) – 12800 leukocytes/microliter, with 76% of these being eosinophils, indicative of ES.

Treatment and Outcome

• The treatment approach included lavage, a medical procedure involving the washing out of the diseased joint, combined with the administration of antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Following this treatment, the horse’s clinical condition improved significantly, indicating a successful resolution of the disease.
• The study demonstrates the potential for successful treatment of ES in horses, although further research would be beneficial due to the rarity of this disease.