Equine Lameness

Equine Lameness Exam One of the most common (if not the #1) body systems evaluated and treated is the musculoskeletal system Detecting the source of lameness can be daunting – many probs. have no obvious external signs Common Clinical Signs include swelling, heat Discharge muscle atrophy lameness (#1)

Equine Lameness Exam

Equine Lameness Exam 3 reasons for lameness include: Pain (#1) Mechanical interference w/out pain (scar tissue) Neurological

3 goals of a lameness exam Equine Lameness Exam 3 goals of a lameness exam Identify the location Diagnose Treatment plan

Equine Lameness Exam 1st step is to obtain a complete history - Signalment - Length of issue - Previous health issues - Speed of onset - Exercise induced - Known trauma - Any treatment started - Pattern to the lameness

Equine Lameness Exam Next the horse is observed at rest & in motion Observe from a distance for any obvious abnormalities, confirmation, how horse stands (holds legs) Motion Observe horse walking to & from the clinician, may need multiple surface types, may need to remove shoes, observe head & neck carriage

Equine Lameness Exam Motion (cont.) 1. Walk In a straight line Up & down an incline Backing up 2. Trot – usually the most informative gait In a circle (both directions) Flexion tests

Equine Lameness Exam Palpation – feeling for any heat, swelling, or pain The wear pattern of the hoof or shoe is evaluated Hoof test for pain Nerve blocks may be used to localize the area of pain

Equine Lameness Exam Misc. tests include - X-rays - Ultrasound - Thermography - Nuclear scintigraphy - MRI - CT - Arthrocentesis - Rectal exam - Biopsy - Force plate gait analysis - High speed cinematographic gait analysis

Hoof Testers

Equine Lameness Predisposing factors to lameness Heredity – Very few are directly inherited, but confirmation types that often lead to lameness are inherited (small feet, straight pasterns, cow-hocked) Congenital – Bone, tendon, joint, & ligament development may be impaired while in utero

Equine Lameness Predisposing factors to lameness cont’d: Negligent or improper foot care infrequent trimming unbalanced trimming poor fitting shoes shoeing aids

Equine Lameness Predisposing factors to lameness cont’d: Improper training methods or over training over use of a lunge line lunging in small circles one direction lunging poor footing in training area training too early, training too rapidly

Lunging

Equine Lameness Predisposing factors to lameness Nutrition of the growing horse – feeding high levels of protein, improper mineral content, overweight Wounds Overuse – racing, jumping, barrel racing, roping

Equine Lameness http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH4YySG1D_w http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4B8yNJUn-U

Equine Lameness The Laminae is a structure between the hoof wall and coffin bone (P3) composed of a network of interlocking blood vessels and tissue (epidermis) that serve to connect the hoof to the foot and to provide blood supply

Laminitis/Founder Equine laminitis is a vascular disease Associated with areas of ischemia or hemostasis within the laminae The laminae secure the coffin bone/distal phalanx to the hoof wall

Laminitis/Founder Inflammation associated with delamination interferes with the wall/bone bond In advanced laminitis, the coffin bone becomes detached from the horny wall and may rotate or sink. In lay terms, this is known as “founder”

Laminitis

Laminitis Three phases of laminitis in horses are identifiable: Developmental Acute Chronic

Laminitis

Laminitis Since pre-existing illness leads to laminitis, the symptoms of early laminitis are also the symptoms of the precipitating illness. Digital pulses and distal limb temperatures may be increased or decreased but no lameness is evident Occasionally, no development phase can be recognized; the horse is simply found to be in the acute phase with no apparent ill health preceding or accompanying it

Laminitis - Treatment Treatments for laminitis vary according to the severity of the condition but include: Encouraging the horse to lie down to relieve pressure on the hoof/hooves. Imposing dietary restrictions to prevent overeating and obesity. There is a strong link between excess blood Glucose and laminitis Administering fluids if the horse is ill or dehydrated. Administration of painkillers, since moderate to intense pain often accompanies laminitis and founder