A study of ten cases of focal peritarsal infection as a cause of severe lameness in the Thoroughbred racehorse: clinical signs, differential diagnosis, treatment and outcome

Abstract

The differential diagnoses of tarsal joint infection, fracture and peritarsal focal infection are of particular importance in practice. The objective of the present report is to provide additional clinical data to assist in the understanding of one of these conditions. The haematological parameters, clinical signs, treatment and outcome of 10 cases of severe lameness associated with peritarsal infection are reviewed. All horses had a significant rise in rectal temperature. The majority of cases (6/10) had haematological changes consistent with acute bacterial infection on the day of first examination. In the remaining cases these changes were not apparent on a blood sample taken on the first examination, but became so after 24 h. Nine out of 10 cases made a complete recovery on a regimen of i.v. antibiotic therapy, in conjunction with administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and repeated forced exercise. One case developed osteomyelitis of the third and fourth metatarsal bones, but made a full recovery in due course. It is concluded that, in the majority of cases, prompt treatment with antibiotic therapy, analgesics and forced exercise results in complete resolution of the condition.