Risk factors associated with cast complications in horses: 398 cases (1997-2006).

This research investigates the frequency and risk factors associated with complications resulting from casting in horses. The study found that 49% of horses with a half-limb or full-limb cast displayed complications.

Methodology

• The researchers conducted a retrospective case series study across four horse hospitals, with a sample size of 398 horses all having either a half-limb or full-limb cast.
• Data was gathered from the horses’ medical records covering various parameters such as age, breed, sex, type of injury, the affected limb, time from injury to hospital admission, and any surgical procedures the horses underwent.
• The type of cast – either a bandage cast (BC; fiberglass tape applied over a bandage) or a traditional cast (TC; fiberglass tape applied over polyurethane resin-impregnated foam) – was noted.
• The position of the limb in the cast, whether flexed, neutral, or extended was recorded, along with any post-casting complications.
• Multivariate logistic regression was utilized to identify risk factors related to cast complications.

Results and Findings

• Approximately 49% of the horses experienced complications due to the cast, with a higher occurrence rate in horses with TCs than BCs.
• Of these, 77% displayed clinical signs of complications before the cast was removed. The most common clinical indicators were elevated lameness severity and visually apparent soft tissue damage.
• Cast sores were identified as the most prevalent issue, affecting 45% of the horses surveyed.
• For 5% of the study horses, the casts broke, while 0.8% encountered a bone fracture attributed to the casting process.
• On average, complications were detected after 12 days in horses with TCs and after 8 days in horses with BCs.
• Further, 71% of horses with a flexed limb position in the cast developed complications, while 48% and 47% horses respectively exhibited complications with their limbs in a neutral and extended position in the cast.
• In the case of horses with TCs, the significant risk factors leading to cast complications included the hospital where treatment was provided, the limb positioned in the cast, and the sex of the horse.

Conclusions

• The outcomes of this study show that almost half of the horses that underwent casting treatment developed complications. The findings from this research could contribute towards refining casting techniques and improving post-cast care measures in veterinary medicine for horses.