Septic tenosynovitis of the tarsal sheath of an Arab gelding and suspected sepsis of the lateral digital flexor tendon subsequent to bacterial peritonitis.

The research discusses a case study of a 21-year-old Arab gelding horse that suffered from septic tenosynovitis and suspected tendon sepsis as a result of bacterial peritonitis. Despite treatment, the horse was eventually euthanized due to complications.

Case Overview

• The research pertains to a 21-year-old Arab gelding that presented with signs of acute peritonitis, a condition that involves inflammation of the peritoneum due to a ruptured ulcer on the jejunum.
• The rupture caused a localized contamination in the horse’s abdomen with ingesta, which led to septic tenosynovitis of the tarsal sheath and suspected sepsis of the lateral digital flexor tendon. The tarsal sheath is a fibrous tunnel that houses the tendons of the horse’s hindlimb, and the lateral digital flexor tendon is one of the tendons within this sheath.
• Subsequent to this, the affected portion of the jejunum was removed, and the abdomen was thoroughly cleaned to remove any contaminating materials.
• Despite postoperative treatment which included broad-spectrum antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and intravenous fluids, the horse began not to put any weight on its right hindlimb after four days. An ultrasonographic examination identified a tendonitis condition in the lateral digital flexor tendon within the tarsal sheath.

Treatment and Result

• The horse’s septic tendonitis was treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics. However, the condition worsened, spreading from the tendon into the tarsal sheath and ultimately involving the tarsocrural joint, which is a large joint in the horse’s hindlimb.
• Despite the administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics, the continuation of the disease within the tendon led to the involvement of both tarsal sheath and tarsocrural joint. This complicated condition led to the difficult decision of euthanizing the horse to prevent further suffering.

Significance of the Study

• This case study provides significant insight into how a localised abdominal infection can lead to severe systematic complications in horses if not managed effectively.
• It also emphasizes the importance of promptly diagnosing and treating bacterial peritonitis to prevent the infection from spreading to other body parts such as the tendons.
• The study also illustrates the limitations of medical treatment in managing progressive septic tendonitis that has extended to surrounding tissues and joints in horses. This may help in understanding and proposing better management and treatment strategies for such conditions.