Equine: Musculoskeletal Flashcards
What is exertional rhabdomyolysis?
tying up - monday morning dz
muscle cramps after intense exercise
breakdown of muscle tissue - myoglobinuria -? pigment nephropathy
ofteh mistaken for colic - recumbent, reluctant to move, sweating, distressed
EMERGENCY
Tx by diuresis, sling, and general nursing care
What is clostridial myositis?
“gas Gangrene” infection with gas-prod Clostridial sp - anaerobic bact. Injection w/ irritating substance, ex flunixin meglumine
Sudden onset profound lameness
crepitus-SQ emphysema
Tx - fasiotomy + high doses penicillin.
EMERGENCY
What is lameness?
An alteration in gait but not always from pain.
At what point of the lamness exam is 0/5 an emergency?
4/5-5/5 is emergency! Ex hoof abscess, septic joint and fracture
What is the lameness exam? What is the initial evaluation?
Walk straight on hard surface, then turn away + toward self
Trot on strat hard, then turn away + toward self
Trot on circle, to left + right
On hard surfaces ^^
On soft, trot circle left + right
How do you test with flexions?
exacerbate lameness to localize - proximal and distal limb, hindlimb and forelimb. Stand on same side as person flexing and return to the left side before trotting off.
What are hoof testers?
most lamness in front feet, hoof testers help vet apply localized pressure to areas of the hoof. Must test all feet as a comparison of horse’s reaction
What does regional anesthesia do?
Nerve block - anesthetizes the limb distal to the bloc, clean prep
Common block - palmar/plantar digital, abaxial, low four-point
joint block - anesthetizes within the joint capsule, aseptic prep
Common blocks - fetlock, carpus, hock, stifle
What are diagnostic imaging techniques are used?
Radiographs for boney tissue
Ultrasound for soft tissue
MRI for boney + soft tissue
CT for boney tissue
Scintigraphy for soft tissue
Degenerative Joint Dz(DJD)/Osteoarthritis(OA)
Common in physically demanding work or from poor conformation.
Commonly affected joints:
Tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint
Distal Intertarsal (DIT) joint
Carpal joints
Pastern joint (high ring bone)
Coffin joint (low ring bone)
What is arthrodesis?
The fusing of two bones
How do you treat DJD/OA?
By intra-articular injections like steroids, joint lubricants and hyaluronic acid, PSGAGs
Systemic NSAIDs eg prevequine, phenybutazone, or surgery via arthrodesis
Weight management, mobility exercise and nutritional supplements can also help via omega 3 FA
What is navicular dz? What is caudal heel pain syndrome
A progressive degenerative condition of the pdotrochlear apparatus of the forelimbs
in middle aged horses in their prime
long toe - low heel conformation
symptoms resolve with PD nerve block
radiographs, MRI
What is the podotrocholear apparatus?
navicular bone, collateral sesamoid ligaments, impar ligament, navicular bursa, digital cushion, collateral distal interphalangeal ligaments
How do you treat navicular dz
corrective trimming and shoeing
intra-articular tx via steroids and lubricants
surgery
NSAIDs po
Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD)
incomplete endochondral ossification during fetal and neonate development
may result in cartilage fragments loose in joint - “joint mouse”
genetic component, overweight during growth, present with “boggy hocks” most commonly, not always lame
How do you treat osteochrondrosis dissecans?
surgery and benign neglect
What is laminitis? what is the other name?
Inflammation of the laminae of the hoof. “founder” Very common and very difficult to reverse. EMERGENCY
Can come in acute and chronic presentations
Caused by metabolic, injury and endotoxemia. Extremely painful
What other dz’s and issues can also cause laminitis?
cushing’s dz
equine metabolic syndrome - obese w/ regional adiposity (cresty neck, fat deposits), inappropriate insulin regulation, predisposed to laminitis
What are the signs of laminitis? What are some chronic cases?
signs by reluctant to stand/walk and often mistaken for colic
has leaning back stance
chronic cases by rings on hoof wall, elf-shoe hooves, rotation of P3 thru sole
How do you treat laminitis?
In acute cases - NSAIDS, ice feet, sole support
in chronic cases with NSAIDS and corrective trimming and shoeing
What are subsolar abscess? Hoof abscess
Bact infection of white line of hoof
chronic laminitis more prone
actuely non-weight bearing lameness
DDx is fracture, septic joint, emergency
Tx is pare out abscess, soak foat and bandage foot
Fractures! What are their prognosis? Are they an emergency? What makes it an emergency and what might cause fractures?
guarded to poor. Usually lg size of horses, prolonged healing, risk of laminitis in opposite limb, limited instrument and implant availability
EMERGENCY bc of non-weight bearing lamness, profound swelling, abnormal contour
Limb stabilization b4 horse is transported
What is septic arthritis
a penetrating wound, septicemia in foals, EMERGENCY - non weight bearing lameness, focal swelling over joint, +/- wound
tx by lavage and antibiotics
What dz or conditions are emergencies, why?
Exertional Rhabdomyolysis - breakdown of muscle tissue?
Clostridial Myositis - sudden onset of profound lameness
4/5-5/5 Lameness
Laminitis -
How do you handle a horse while performing a lameness exam?
What radiographic views are needed to image the navicular bone?
What is the typical phenotype of a horse with equine metabolic syndrome
Cushing’s dz, equine metabolic syndrome
What is the typical stance of a horse with laminitis
leaning back/forward off affected hoofs
Why is a non-weight bearing lameness considered an emergency
