Lameness

Question 1

How do hoof abscesses form?

Answer 1

Damage to the sole or white line of the hoof. Results in bacterial invasion and colonisation and localised infection.

Question 2

What are the predisposing factors of hoof abscesses?

Answer 2

Poor hoof quality
Unhygienic environment
History of laminitis

Question 3

What initial clinical signs are seen with hoof abscesses?

Answer 3

Acute onset of severe lameness.
Bounding pulses of affected limb

Question 4

What poultice(s) should be used with a hoof abscess?

Answer 4

Wet poultice replaced daily
Dry poultice after 1-2 days for 2 days

Question 5

What are some causes of P3/sesamoid fractures?

Answer 5

Acute onset fractures, developmental/osteochondral fragments
Repetitive wear and tear.
Chronic disease

Question 6

What clinical signs can be associated with P3/sesamoid fractures?

Answer 6

Heat, pain, swelling, lameness, synovial effusions

Question 7

What is the standard foot radiographic series?

Answer 7

1. Lateromedial
2. Dorsopalmar
3. Dosroproximal palmarodistal 60o oblique on A)pedal bone and B) navicular bone
4. Palmaroproximal palmarodistal 45o oblique

Question 8

What are the clinical signs of sole bruising and corns?

Answer 8

Acute, severe unilateral lameness
Mild bilateral pain
Increased digital pulses
Increased hoof temperature
Sensitivity to hoof testers

Question 9

What is a keratoma?

Answer 9

Hyperplastic keratin mass within hoof originating from epidermal horn at coronary band.

Question 10

How do keratomas typically form?

Answer 10

Following insult to the germinal cells at the coronary band - hoof abscess, crack, trauma

Question 11

What are the clinical signs of a keratoma?

Answer 11

Raised digital pulses
Mild intermittent long term lameness
Recurrent hoof abscess
Hoof wall distortion
Deviation of the white line
Localised pain

Question 12

What normally causes septic pedal osteitis?

Answer 12

Follows solar penetration which penetrates the distal phalanx.

Question 13

What factors can be linked to osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint?

Answer 13

Genetic predisposition
Concussive activities
Hoof imbalances
Nutrition and injuries

Question 14

What is commonly seen on the lunge with osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint?

Answer 14

Usually sound at walk and mild lameness on the straight trot.
Lameness more obvious on the lunge with lame limb on inside of circle
Worse on hard ground
Moderate positive response to distal limb flexion

Question 15

What are the treatment options for osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint?

Answer 15

`Oral NSAIDS or intra-articular corticosteroids
Corrective farriery - shorten toe, support heel, add cushioning
Surgery - arthroscopy, palmar digital neurectomy

Question 16

What is the pathophysiology of navicular degeneration?

Answer 16

Focal loss of the medullary architecture with medullary sclerosis. Fibrocartilaginous change to the flexor surface of the bone.

Question 17

What are the risk factors for navicular degeneration?

Answer 17

Genetic component
Typically older horses >10
Conformation very important

Question 18

What conservative management can be used to manage navicular degeneration?

Answer 18

Analgesics
Corrective farriery
Corticosteroids
Bisphosphonates
Vasodilators

Question 19

What is laminitis?

Answer 19

Degeneration the failure of interdigitation between P3 and the inside of the hoof causes breakdown and separation

Question 20

What metabolic conditions can result in laminitis?

Answer 20

EMS/obesity and PPID

Question 21

How does support limb laminitis occur?

Answer 21

Severe lameness in 1 limb causes excessive weight bearing in the contra-lateral limb.
Prolonged pressure reduces blood flow to the laminae causing hypoxia.

Question 22

What diet should be adopted for the treatment of laminitis?

Answer 22

1.5-2% body weight dry weight hay, soaked for an hour to reduce sugar content.
Vitamin/mineral balancer

Question 23

What is the other name for sporadic rhabdomyolysis?

Answer 23

Tying up

Question 24

What are the clinical signs of sporadic rhabdomyolysis?

Answer 24

Stiff, stilted gait. Excessive sweating, increased respiratory rate after exercise causing painful, firm muscles with a reluctance to move forward.
Dark urine

Question 25

What can cause sporadic rhabdomyolysis?

Answer 25

Overexertion
Dietary imbalances
Exhaustion

Question 26

What are the risk factors for recurrent rhabdomyolysis?

Answer 26

Fit horse with nervous temperament
Young mares
No turnout
Held back during gallop
Rise in epinephrine during exercise
High resting cortisol

Question 27

What are the risk factors for polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM-1)?

Answer 27

Continental European draft breeds
Exercise of more than 20mins in one session
4-8 years old

Question 28

What are the clinical signs of myofibrillar myopathy?

Answer 28

Poor performance, lack of hindlimb engagement

Question 29

What is the pathophysiology of myofibrillar myopathy?

Answer 29

Abnormal Desmin protein unable to support Z-disk. Contractile apparatus dysfunction causing fibrillar rupture.

Question 30

What are the clinical signs of hyperkaliaemic periodic paralysis?

Answer 30

Sporadic attacks of stiffness, muscle tremors, weakness and collapse.
Breathing difficulties, prolapse of the third eyelid.

Question 31

What plants are associated with equine atypical myopathy?

Answer 31

Sycamores and acers

Question 32

What are the clinical signs of equine atypical myopathy?

Answer 32

Stiffness, fasciculations, weakness, sweating and myoglobinuria.
Colic, tachycardia, tachypnoea, recumbency, distended bladder, reduced/absent GI signs

Question 33

What is the main bacteria involved myonecrosis?

Answer 33

Clostridium spp. (perfrigens and septicum)

Question 34

How often after an injection can myonecrosis?

Answer 34

Occurs 6 to 72hours post injection

Question 35

What are the clinical signs of myonecrosis?

Answer 35

Fever, stiffness, severe pain, gangrene, crepitation

Question 36

What occurs to tendon crimp in the initial phase of tendon loading?

Answer 36

Straightens out