Septic osteitis of the distal phalanx in foals: 22 cases (1995-2002).
Abstract: To determine the clinical characteristics and outcome of foals with septic osteitis of the distal phalanx. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 22 foals. Methods: Information obtained from medical records included signalment; clinical, laboratory, and radiographic findings; treatment method; and outcome. Foals included in the study had lameness referable to the foot, radiographic evidence of localized lysis or focal loss of bone density of the distal phalanx, and suppurative discharge or necrosis of the affected bone evident at surgery. Foals with a history or evidence of penetrating wounds or subsolar abscessation were excluded. Results: Mean age of foals at initial evaluation was 40.8 days (range, 3 to 122 days). Twenty-one (95%) foals had lameness as the primary complaint. Lesions consistent with septic osteitis of the distal phalanx localized to specific areas of the bone on the basis of radiographic and surgical findings were located on the solar margin or toe (14/22 [64%]), extensor process (5/22 [23%]), and palmar or plantar process (3/22 [13%]). Hind limbs (18/26 [69%] affected limbs) were more frequently affected. Two foals had > 1 affected limb, 2 had additional sites of osteomyelitis, and 4 had concurrent septic arthritis. Surgical debridement and regional antimicrobial perfusion were performed during general anesthesia. Extensor process lesions were not debrided. Nineteen of 22 (86%) foals survived to be discharged from hospital, and 16 horses reached racing age. Eleven of 16 had race starts, of which 8 had official race starts and 3 had unofficial race starts. Conclusions: Septic osteitis of the distal phalanx should be considered as a source of lameness in foals with signs referable to the foot and does not necessarily preclude a career in racing. Although infection may occur secondary to bacterial penetration of the hoof or sole, the distal phalanx should also be considered as a potential site for hematogenous septic arthritis or osteomyelitis in foals.
Publication Date: 2007-06-05 PubMed ID: 17542739DOI: 10.2460/javma.230.11.1683Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article is centered around the study of septic osteitis of the distal phalanx in foals, where the clinical characteristics and outcomes of the condition are explored in order to determine its impact on the future potential of these animals in the racing industry.
Methods
- The study used a retrospective case series analyzing 22 foals.
- The foals’ medical records were examined to gather information on their clinical, laboratory, and radiographic findings, treatment methods as well as their eventual outcomes.
- Key inclusion criteria were foals exhibiting lameness linked to the foot, radiographic evidence of either localized lysis or a focal loss of bone density of the distal phalanx, and obvious suppurative discharge or necrosis concerning the affected bone as seen in surgery.
- Foals that have either a history or show evidence of subsolar abscessation or penetrating wounds were not included in the study.
Results
- The mean age of foals when initially evaluated was around 40.8 days.
- Lameness was the main symptom as it was observed in 95% of the foals.
- Septic osteitis was largely localized in specific areas of the bone, based on radiographic and surgical findings, such as at the solar margin or toe, extensor process, and the palmar or plantar process.
- The hind limbs were predominantly affected.
- Surgical debridement and regional antimicrobial perfusion were the predominant treatment methods. However, extensor process lesions were not debrided.
- The survival rate among the foals was high, with about 86% of the foals surviving and later being discharged from the hospital. Additionally, 16 horses reached racing age, with 11 participating in racing events.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that septic osteitis of the distal phalanx should be a considered cause of lameness in foals.
- This condition does not necessarily hinder a foal’s potential career in racing.
- It’s suggested that infection in foals may occur due to bacterial penetration of the hoof or sole, but the distal phalanx should also be viewed as a potential site for hematogenous septic arthritis or osteomyelitis in foals.
Cite This Article
APA
Neil KM, Axon JE, Todhunter PG, Adams PL, Caron JP, Adkins AR.
(2007).
Septic osteitis of the distal phalanx in foals: 22 cases (1995-2002).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 230(11), 1683-1690.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.230.11.1683 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Scone Veterinary Hospital, Scone, NSW, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Debridement / veterinary
- Female
- Foot Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Foot Diseases / pathology
- Foot Diseases / surgery
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Hindlimb
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal
- Male
- Osteitis / diagnostic imaging
- Osteitis / pathology
- Osteitis / surgery
- Osteitis / veterinary
- Prognosis
- Radiography
- Retrospective Studies
- Sports / statistics & numerical data
- Survival Analysis
- Treatment Outcome
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