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Discussion on Foal lameness
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New Member:
Pasocrzy
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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 27, 2006 - 8:03 pm:
I have a 2 month old foal who's legs above the front hoofs are very noticeably larger than the hoofs themselves. I had noticed that he seemed to move stiffly when he was let out each night, but had no sign of limp or anything. He seemed to be "ouchy" when he was turned out yesterday and upon close examination of his front feet, I discovered that his fetlock on both feet are swollen out over the hoofs. It's as though his legs have grown but the hoofs haven't. He is also walking on his toes, as the angle is not correct - he isn't putting any weight on the heels at all and seems ouchy to walk on concrete. I am extremely worried about this little guy. Has anyone ever experienced this problem with a foal?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 28, 2006 - 6:48 am:
Terry, this sounds very serious and needs to have a vet out today to examine the foal. The swelling you describe can be a number of things and requires observation, palpation, and possibly radiographs to diagnose. It may be secondary to the flexor tendon contracture you are experiencing that is causing him to walk on his toes. For more on this see, Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Muscle & Tendon Diseases » Tendon Laxity and Contracture.
Posting some good photos from both the front and sides and a detailed description of the mare and foal's diet may help us help you further but you need to get some local professional help for the sake of this little guy.
DrO
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Member:
Pasocrzy
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 28, 2006 - 7:19 am:
The vet was called as soon as I observed this and is scheduled to come out at noon to do exam and x-rays. I will make and post pictures later today. I'm not sure that our vet has the experience to deal with this extreme problem, but it's a starting point. I may end up at the UT vet school before week's end. The mares diet consists of approximately 3 cups a day of 12% protein grain twice daily (dry) and 1 flake of 18% protein orchard grass hay plus 12 hours of pasture daily. We constantly fight weight here as our pastures are lush - thus the small amount of grain. The foal is given 1/2 cup of grain and foal pellets 2 times per day. He usually eats only half of the offered amount. He has grown pretty fast, but then again all our previous foals have as well, so he doesn't stand out in that regard as having abnormal growth rate. Thank you so very much for your interest and reply Dr. O.
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Member:
Pasocrzy
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 28, 2006 - 10:37 am:
Here are the pictures I promised. It looks as if his hoof started growing straight down out of the foot recently as I can clearly see an angle in the front of the hoof. His left leg seems to be turned out to the left also, which we had noticed at birth but were told by the vet at that time "these things tend to correct themselves". I will have to send 2 postings in order to upload these 4 pictures due to file size. Any help or observations would be greatly appreciated. BTW, his pasterns swelling has decreased over the night but I attribute that to being out in the cool damp grass. Thanks for your help Dr. O.
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Member:
Pasocrzy
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 28, 2006 - 10:38 am:
2nd set of pictures
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 28, 2006 - 6:56 pm:
They looked nothing like I thought and this is fairly easy to diagnose : the bulge you see at the coronet is from the subluxated coffin joint poking forward (actually hyperflexed is a more accurate description) secondary to the flexor contracture. There is deformation of the wall also from the long term stress on the toe that accentuates the appearance of swelling. Unless there are some bony changes in the extensor procdess this will resolve when you get those DDF's fixed. The article I reference above discusses therapy but certainly start with slowing down this foal's growth by cutting out the concentrate. Let us know what your vet says but by reading the article first you should be better prepared to discuss this with him.
DrO
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Member:
Erika
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 28, 2006 - 10:35 pm:
Dr. O, how lucky are we to have a vet on call such as you! After hearing all the trouble so many people have about getting ANY vet to come...thanks for a great site.
Erika
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