Distal limb wounds are frequent in horses after traumatic events. The use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) represents a simple method of treating wounds in equines. A case of a chronic severely contaminated distal limb wound in an 8-month-old foal is presented. The patient was managed with the combination of standard wound therapy (debridement and bandages), surgery, and PRP obtained by a manual tube protocol. No complications were observed with the PRP treatment, and the foal was fully recovered 2 months later.
Case study
Journal: Equine Veterinary Education
The accessory ligament of the hindlimb suspensory ligament arises from the plantar aspect of the calcaneus and fourth tarsal bones and blends with the suspensory ligament in the proximal aspect of the metatarsus. The accessory ligament of the suspensory ligament of both hindlimbs of 12 mature horses, with no history of hindlimb lameness, was assessed ultrasonographically. The ligament comprised linear parallel echoes which were consistently shorter than those of the lateral digital flexor tendon; the dorsal and plantar borders were parallel.
Category: Case study - Equine - Lameness - Ligament
Journal: Equine Veterinary Education
Two Quarter Horses were examined at the Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital with forelimb lameness. Case 1 was a 4-year-old female with a 4 month history of intermittent forelimb lameness that had partially responded to oral anti-inflammatories. The horse was in full training and actively competing in cutting. Case 2 was a one-year-old filly bred for cutting that presented with a right forelimb lameness of 3 weeks’ duration, which was not responsive to oral anti-inflammatories. The horse was not in training.
Category: Bone - Case study - Equine - Tendon
Journal: Equine Veterinary Education
Equine lymphosarcoma is rare but has been reported in mediastinal lymph nodes, cutaneous nodules, the gastrointestinal system and peripheral lymph nodes. This report describes the clinical presentation of lymphosarcoma characterised by weight shifting, reluctance to ambulate or peripheral oedema. This case is extremely atypical in clinical presentation and justifies the need for consideration of lymphosarcoma when formulating a differential diagnosis of lameness with atypical presentation.
Category: Case study - Equine - Lameness
Journal: Equine Veterinary Education
A 15-year-old Quarter Horse mare was examined for significant and progressive lameness in the right front limb. On physical examination, muscle atrophy over the scapular and pectoral regions were noted. A pain response was elicited on palpation of the scapulohumeral joint. No other abnormalities were noted on examination of the limb. Diagnostic nerve blocks ruled out a source of lameness in the distal limb. Arthrocentesis of the scapulohumeral joint was performed and results were within normal limits.
Category: Case study - Equine - Lameness
Journal: Equine Veterinary Education
Damage to the origin of the gastrocnemius and superficial digital flexor muscles has been previously reported as an acute injury in both foals and adult horses. This case report describes, for the first time, the clinical onset of caudal reciprocal apparatus failure in a 2-year-old Thoroughbred. These signs were due to injury of the gastrocnemius and superficial digital flexor muscle origins sustained prior to the onset of lameness. This condition should be considered in cases demonstrating similar clinical signs, even in the absence of known trauma or acute injury to the region.
Category: Case study - Equine - Tendon - Traumatology
Journal: Equine Veterinary Education
A 9-year-old Paint pony gelding presented for signs of left carpal swelling of 1–2 weeks' duration. Radiographic, ultrasonographic and arthroscopic evaluation of the left carpus was consistent with synovial osteochondromatosis. This presumptive clinical diagnosis was confirmed histopathologically. Arthroscopic removal of the osteochondral bodies resulted in resolution of the carpal effusion and return to previous athletic activity by 4.5 months post operatively. Arthroscopic removal of osteochondral bodies is the treatment of choice in cases of suspected synovial osteochondromatosis.
Category: Case study - Endoscopic surgery - Equine
Journal: Equine Veterinary Education
A Percheron mare was presented for acute, severe lameness and marked swelling of the right forelimb after being cast. The mare was initially diagnosed with cellulitis of the forelimb but as her condition improved and the affected limb was able to bear more weight it became apparent that the limb was hyperextended at the level of the carpus. Widening of the palmar aspect of the middle carpal joint was observed radiographically. During ultrasonographic examination, excessive fluid in the carpal sheath and perithecal swelling were noted and tearing of the palmar carpal ligament was suspected.
Category: Case study - Equine
Journal: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
Soft tissue swelling and synovial distension associated with the tarsus is very common in horses and may be associated with pain and lameness. In this case, a fluid swelling of synovial origin that initially appeared to be completely separate from any other synovial structure was present in a mare with severe intermittent hind limb lameness. Nuclear scintigraphy, diagnostic analgesia, contrast radiography, and ultrasonography were used to confirm the synovial swelling as the source of lameness. Surgical en-bloc resection of the synovial swelling has been curative.
Category: Case study - Equine
Journal: Equine Veterinary Education
A 20-month-old Warmblood filly was evaluated for acute onset of a non weightbearing lameness and swelling of the left hindlimb. Clinical and lameness evaluation and diagnostic intrasynovial anaesthesia isolated the lameness to the left hind metatarsophalangeal region. Radiography and ultrasonography revealed a subchondral cystic lesion of the apical portion of the lateral proximal sesamoid bone associated with oedema and synovial effusion of the metatarsophalangeal joint.
Category: Bone - Case study - Equine - Lameness