Lameness Flashcards
How do hoof abscesses form?
Damage to the sole or white line of the hoof. Results in bacterial invasion and colonisation and localised infection.
What are the predisposing factors of hoof abscesses?
Poor hoof quality
Unhygienic environment
History of laminitis
What initial clinical signs are seen with hoof abscesses?
Acute onset of severe lameness.
Bounding pulses of affected limb
What poultice(s) should be used with a hoof abscess?
Wet poultice replaced daily
Dry poultice after 1-2 days for 2 days
What are some causes of P3/sesamoid fractures?
Acute onset fractures, developmental/osteochondral fragments
Repetitive wear and tear.
Chronic disease
What clinical signs can be associated with P3/sesamoid fractures?
Heat, pain, swelling, lameness, synovial effusions
What is the standard foot radiographic series?
- Lateromedial
- Dorsopalmar
- Dosroproximal palmarodistal 60o oblique on A)pedal bone and B) navicular bone
- Palmaroproximal palmarodistal 45o oblique
What are the clinical signs of sole bruising and corns?
Acute, severe unilateral lameness
Mild bilateral pain
Increased digital pulses
Increased hoof temperature
Sensitivity to hoof testers
What is a keratoma?
Hyperplastic keratin mass within hoof originating from epidermal horn at coronary band.
How do keratomas typically form?
Following insult to the germinal cells at the coronary band - hoof abscess, crack, trauma
What are the clinical signs of a keratoma?
Raised digital pulses
Mild intermittent long term lameness
Recurrent hoof abscess
Hoof wall distortion
Deviation of the white line
Localised pain
What normally causes septic pedal osteitis?
Follows solar penetration which penetrates the distal phalanx.
What factors can be linked to osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint?
Genetic predisposition
Concussive activities
Hoof imbalances
Nutrition and injuries
What is commonly seen on the lunge with osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint?
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
What are the treatment options for osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint?
`Oral NSAIDS or intra-articular corticosteroids
Corrective farriery - shorten toe, support heel, add cushioning
Surgery - arthroscopy, palmar digital neurectomy
What is the pathophysiology of navicular degeneration?
Focal loss of the medullary architecture with medullary sclerosis. Fibrocartilaginous change to the flexor surface of the bone.
What are the risk factors for navicular degeneration?
Genetic component
Typically older horses >10
Conformation very important
What conservative management can be used to manage navicular degeneration?
Analgesics
Corrective farriery
Corticosteroids
Bisphosphonates
Vasodilators
What is laminitis?
Degeneration the failure of interdigitation between P3 and the inside of the hoof causes breakdown and separation
What metabolic conditions can result in laminitis?
EMS/obesity and PPID
How does support limb laminitis occur?
Severe lameness in 1 limb causes excessive weight bearing in the contra-lateral limb.
Prolonged pressure reduces blood flow to the laminae causing hypoxia.
What diet should be adopted for the treatment of laminitis?
1.5-2% body weight dry weight hay, soaked for an hour to reduce sugar content.
Vitamin/mineral balancer
What is the other name for sporadic rhabdomyolysis?
Tying up
What are the clinical signs of sporadic rhabdomyolysis?
Stiff, stilted gait. Excessive sweating, increased respiratory rate after exercise causing painful, firm muscles with a reluctance to move forward.
Dark urine
