Factors associated with prognosis for survival and athletic use in foals with septic arthritis: 93 cases (1987-1994)
Steel, C.M.; Hunt, A.R.; Adams, P.L.; Robertson, I.D.; Chicken, C.; Yovich, J.V.; Stick, J.A.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 215(7): 973-977
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 10511863 Document Number: 499418
Medical records of 93 Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds foals with septic arthritis were reviewed to evaluate clinical findings, laboratory test results, radiographic findings, treatment method and outcome. 43 foals had 1 affected joint, 44 foals had multiple affected joints, and number of affected joints was not recorded for 6 foals. The femoro-patellar and tarso-crural joints were most commonly affected. Osteomyelitis or degenerative joint disease were detected in 46 of 78 foals (59%). Failure of passive transfer, pneumonia and enteritis were common. Foals were treated with lavage, lavage and intra-articular administration of antibiotics, lavage and arthroscopic debridement with or without partial synovectomy, or lavage and arthrotomy to debride infected bone and systemic administration of antibiotics. 73 foals survived to be discharged from hospital, and approximately a third raced. Isolation of Salmonella spp. from synovial fluid was associated with an unfavourable prognosis for survival and multi-system disease was associated with an unfavourable prognosis for survival and ability to race; other variables were not significantly associated with survival and ability to race. With treatment, the prognosis for survival of foals with septic arthritis was favourable, whereas prognosis for ability to race was unfavourable. It is suggested that multisystem disease, isolation of Salmonella spp. from synovial fluid, involvement of multiple joints, and synovial fluid neutrophil count >=95% at admission may be of prognostic value.