Traumatic disruption of the suspensory apparatus in foals.

The research investigates the occurrence and treatment of a serious injury known as the traumatic disruption of the suspensory apparatus in foals. The study involves three cases; two foals had single forelimb injury and were successfully treated using splints, while the third foal had a bilateral disruption and was euthanized.

Study Objectives and Methodology

• The objective of the study was to understand the traumatic disruption of the suspensory apparatus in foals, a condition less documented compared to its occurrence in adult horses.
• The main focus was on observing the cause and possible solutions to metacarpophalangeal joint instability in foals, which is a direct result of such disruption.
• The researchers used a case study approach, examining three specific cases of foals which had experienced the injury. They documented the cause of the said injury, the proposed treatment, and the outcomes of the treatment(s).

Key Findings

• In two foals, the traumatic disruption was caused by biaxial proximal sesamoid fractures in a single forelimb.
• The third foal had a more severe injury which included avulsion of distal sesamoidean ligaments in one forelimb and biaxial proximal sesamoid fractures in the other forelimb.
• The two less severely injured foals were successfully treated using splints to provide external support for their disrupted suspensory apparatus.
• The foal with the bilateral disruption was considered untreatable and was thus euthanized.

Results and Implications

• The treated foals were able to resume normal activity at pasture after recovery, indicating the treatment was effective and successful.
• The two treated foals, even after 2 and 3 years post-injury, remain sound and are now being used for breeding. This indicates the long-term success of the treatment.
• The findings highlight external support (using splints) as an effective treatment method that can salvage valuable foals suffering from this injury for breeding purposes.