Septic Arthritis, Physitis, and Osteomyelitis in Foals

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Equine Health
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Musculoskeletal infections in foals present diverse etiologies and diagnostic challenges.
• Standard treatment involves local lavage, debridement, and antimicrobial therapy, mirroring adult protocols.
• Concurrent neonatal sepsis complicates the prognosis for foals with musculoskeletal infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prognosis for foals with musculoskeletal infections.
• To assess the impact of prompt and aggressive local therapy on survival and athletic potential.
• To compare current prognosis with historical data.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent literature on foal musculoskeletal infections.
• Analysis of treatment outcomes focusing on local therapies.
• Consideration of comorbidities and their influence on prognosis.

Main Results:

• Survival prognosis is fair when musculoskeletal infection is concurrent with neonatal sepsis.
• Prognosis is fair to good for survival of synovial, bony, and physeal infections with aggressive local therapy.
• Expedient local treatment in foals without comorbidities may lead to a more favorable prognosis than previously thought.

Conclusions:

• Local therapies are the cornerstone for treating foal musculoskeletal infections.
• Early and aggressive intervention is crucial for improving outcomes.
• Foals without comorbidities may have a better prognosis for survival and athletic function than historically reported.