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Equine veterinary journal2020; 53(5); 935-943; doi: 10.1111/evj.13387

Factors associated with survival and racing performance of 114 Thoroughbred foals with septic arthritis compared with maternal siblings (2009-2015).

Abstract: There is little consensus on factors associated with survival in foals with septic arthritis and limited data on long-term racing performance of Thoroughbred foals treated for septic arthritis. A more thorough understanding of short- and long-term outcome is necessary to help inform owners, and subsequently guide treatment. Objective: To investigate factors associated with survival, and to analyse racing performance of foals with septic arthritis compared with their maternal siblings. Methods: Retrospective cohort and a case-control study. Methods: Veterinary clinical records of Thoroughbred foals ≤180 days old that underwent arthroscopic, cannulae or through-and-through needle lavage for the treatment of septic arthritis between 2009 and 2015 were reviewed. Data included signalment, and clinicopathological information. The dam's foaling records were reviewed and the lifetime racing records were obtained for affected foals and two of their maternal siblings. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with survival to discharge or racing. Comparisons between treated foals and their maternal siblings were made. Results: Ninety (78%) of 115 foals diagnosed with septic arthritis were discharged alive. Foals <26 days old at the time of admission were five times less likely (P = .003) and foals with concurrent multisystemic disease were six times less likely (P = .02) to be discharged alive. Sixty (67%) foals discharged alive started in ≥1 race, and there was no difference in the proportion of foals that started in a race or racing performance between foals treated for septic arthritis and their maternal siblings. Conclusions: Retrospective study design, limited number of foals with multiple joint involvement and failure to accurately record duration of clinical signs. Conclusions: Foals treated for septic arthritis at the Scone Equine Hospital, New South Wales, Australia had a good prognosis for survival, and for this cohort, foals that survived to discharge had a similar ability to race as their maternal siblings.
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Publication Date: 2020-12-14 PubMed ID: 33205483DOI: 10.1111/evj.13387Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This study investigated the factors associated with survival and the long-term racing performance of thoroughbred foals diagnosed with septic arthritis, and compared them with their maternal siblings without the condition. It was discovered that foals treated for septic arthritis had a good prognosis for survival and, in general, those that survived the condition performed similarly to their siblings in terms of racing performance.

Methods

  • The research was mainly a retrospective cohort and a case-control study.
  • Researchers studied veterinary clinical records of Thoroughbred foals, aged 180 days or less, that had undergone treatment for septic arthritis between 2009 and 2015.
  • Treatments detailed included arthroscopic procedure, cannulae, or through-and-through needle lavage – methods typically used to cleanse and treat septic joints in foals.
  • In addition to the affected foals’ records, the researchers also reviewed the dam’s (mother horse’s) foaling records and obtained lifetime racing records for two of the afflicted foal’s maternal siblings.

Results and Conclusions

  • Out of the 115 foals diagnosed with septic arthritis, 90 (78%) were discharged alive.
  • Foals aged less than 26 days at the time of admission were five times less likely to survive discharge, and foals with concurrent multisystemic disease (affecting multiple parts of the body) were six times less likely to be discharged alive.
  • Of the foals discharged alive, 60 (67%) started in at least one race. The researchers found no difference in the proportions of foals that started in a race or in racing performance between foals treated for septic arthritis and their maternal siblings.
  • Despite the limitations of the study including its retrospective design, limited number of foals with multiple joint involvement, and failure to accurately record duration of clinical signs, overall, it was concluded that foals treated for septic arthritis had a good prognosis for survival.
  • Furthermore, among the foals that survived, their ability to race was generally equivalent to their maternal siblings.

Cite This Article

APA
O'Brien TJ, Rosanowski SM, Mitchell KD, Carrick JB, Butt TD, Adkins AR. (2020). Factors associated with survival and racing performance of 114 Thoroughbred foals with septic arthritis compared with maternal siblings (2009-2015). Equine Vet J, 53(5), 935-943. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13387

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 5
Pages: 935-943

Researcher Affiliations

O'Brien, Thomas J
  • Scone Equine Hospital, Scone, New South Wales, Australia.
Rosanowski, Sarah M
  • Centre for Applied One Health Research and Policy Advice, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Mitchell, Keith D
  • Scone Equine Hospital, Scone, New South Wales, Australia.
Carrick, Joan B
  • Equine Specialist Consulting, Scone, New South Wales, Australia.
Butt, Troy D
  • Scone Equine Hospital, Scone, New South Wales, Australia.
Adkins, Angus R
  • Scone Equine Hospital, Scone, New South Wales, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Arthritis, Infectious / veterinary
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Siblings
  • Sports

References

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