Equine heel bulb lacerations: 62 cases (2004-2018).
Abstract: To characterize clinical findings and outcomes for horses with heel bulb lacerations. Medical records of a teaching hospital were reviewed to identify horses treated for heel bulb lacerations between February 2004 and October 2018. Long-term outcome was assessed by telephone communication with owners. Results were analyzed to determine association with clinical outcome. 31 mares and 31 geldings of various ages, breeds, and uses were evaluated. Thirty-six horses had a wound of 0 to 2 days' duration, and 17 horses had a wound of > 2 days' duration. Horses with a wound duration of < 2 days had a significantly greater likelihood of a higher outcome score (P = .025; OR = 7.08; 95% CI = 1.28% to 39.08%). Synovial communication with the wound was confirmed in 21 of 62 (33.9%) horses. One synovial structure was involved in 17 horses, and > 1 synovial structure was involved in 4 horses. Fifty-nine horses survived to discharge, and follow-up information was available for 18 (30.5%) horses. Of the horses available for follow-up, 78% returned to the previous level of work (14/18). Degree of lameness at presentation, degree of wound contamination, treatment prior to presentation, treatment with foot casting, and involvement of synovial structures were not found to be significantly associated with clinical outcome. Results suggest that horses with heel bulb lacerations have a good prognosis for survival and a favorable prognosis for return to work. Clinical application of additional findings needs further investigation before clinical relevance can be ascertained.
Publication Date: 2022-07-20 PubMed ID: 35943929DOI: 10.2460/javma.22.03.0105Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research records and analyzes outcomes of 62 horses treated for heel bulb lacerations at a teaching hospital from 2004-2018. Findings suggest that horses with this type of wound have a good survival prognosis and a fair chance of returning to previous levels of work.
Study Overview
- The study looked into medical records from February 2004 to October 2018, and corresponding horse owners were interviewed for long-term outcomes.
- The study aimed to understand the correlation between various factors and the clinical outcome of horses with heel bulb wounds.
Participants
- The study involved 62 horses, evenly divided between mares and geldings.
- The horses varied in age, breed, and uses. The details of these variables were not mentioned in the abstract.
Wound Duration and Outcomes
- 36 horses had wounds that were 0 to 2 days old, and 17 horses had wounds older than 2 days.
- A striking observation was that horses with a wound of less than 2 days had a higher outcome score, indicating better recovery or survival rates.
Synovial Communication with the Wound
- In 21 out of the total 62 horses, synovial communication with the wound was observed, signifying that the wound had some connection with the synovial structures (joints and tendons).
- In 17 horses, one synovial structure was involved, while more than one structure was involved in 4 horses.
- However, the study did not find a significant correlation between the involvement of synovial structures and the clinical outcome.
Survival and Follow-up
- 59 horses survived and were discharged. However, follow-up information was available only for 30.5% (18 horses), potentially impacting the comprehensiveness of the data.
- 78% of the horses available for follow-up returned to their previous level of work.
Other Observations
- There were no other significant associations found with clinical outcome. Factors like degree of lameness at presentation, degree of wound contamination, prior treatment, and treatment with foot casting did not have a significant impact on the clinical outcome.
- The study concludes that despite the severity of heel bulb lacerations, horses show a good prognosis for survival and favorable chances of returning to work.
- The researchers suggest that additional findings need further investigation to establish their clinical relevance.
Cite This Article
APA
Sloan PB, Self KA, Kang Q, Lutter JD.
(2022).
Equine heel bulb lacerations: 62 cases (2004-2018).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 260(12), 1541-1546.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.22.03.0105 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- 1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.
- 2Wauwatosa Veterinary Clinic, Wauwatosa, WI.
- 3Department of Statistics, College of Arts and Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.
- 1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Female
- Male
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Lacerations / veterinary
- Prognosis
- Retrospective Studies
- Treatment Outcome
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