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Posted by: admin on Jun 14, 2010 - 10:17 AM
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Dominique Bouchard, DVM
New England Equine Medical and Surgical center
Dover, NH 03820
www.newenglandequine.com
Both conditions can be related and seen on the same foal. Different joints may be involved but typically knees, fetlocks and hocks are the most commonly affected. The foal presented with a certain degree of contracture or hyperflexion of his leg is a flexural limb deformity. It involves the soft tissue primarily and affects the fore limbs more often than the hinds. The foal presented with a certain degree of deviation of his leg is an angular limb deformity. It involves the bone and may affect the front and rear limbs. Angular deformities may also be identified as varus (inside deviation, “bow legged”) or valgus (outside deviation, “knock kneed”).
Those two common limb deformities are often seen in the newborn foal (congenital) or may develop as the foal grows (acquired). Congenital causes for the deformity is often not identified, but exposure to particular toxic plants, deficiencies in some minerals such as iodine are known to cause such problems. Intra-uterine positioning is also often blamed. Acquired deformities appear when the foal is growing, typically between 4 weeks and 4 months of age. Contractures may occur when the limb is not used properly or when the foal is growing so fast that there is a disparity between bone and tendon growth. Deviation of the bone mainly happen when the foal has incomplete ossification of the cuboidal bones (small bones in the knees and hocks) or following trauma to a growth plate.
Most of the mild cases of congenital contracture or limb deviation will improve and resolve within a few days with no treatment, but should be closely monitored by the owner and the veterinarian. Treatment should be initiated if there is worsening of the deformity . Moderate to severe cases need immediate veterinary attention. Treatment protocols will be adapted to the particular case. The therapeutic arsenal includes:
-Rest
-Intravenous infusion of oxytetracycline (This drug causes relaxation of the musculo-tendinous apparatus-specific to flexural deformity)
-Bandaging and splinting (being extremely vigilant as bandages sores are easily caused on foals)
-Dynamic splinting (allowing range of motion at the joints; aimed at reducing the deformity)
-Physical therapy (manual stretching of the limbs)
-Trimming of the feet and application of therapeutic shoes such as glue-on heel extensions
-Surgery may be indicated for the most severe cases which don’t respond to other therapy
The optimal treatment will be based on the veterinarian’s evaluation of the foal including the age and severity of the condition and her or his own experience.
If you have any questions about flexural/angular limb deformities or about matters relating to your horse’s health in general, please talk to your veterinarian about them, or feel free to contact the veterinarians at New England Equine Medical and Surgical Center.
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