SEPTIC TENOSYNOVITIS IN HORSES - 25 CASES (1983-1989)

The medical records of 25 horses with septic tenosynovitis treated over 7 years (1983 to 1989) were reviewed to determine clinical features of the disease and response to treatment. The median age of horses with septic tenosynovitis was 5 years (range, 1 month to 21 years). Fourteen fore limbs and 11 hind limbs were affected. Sepsis was located in the sheath of the digital flexor tendons of 22 horses. Sepsis was located in the sheath of the extensor carpi radialis tendon (1 horse), sheath of the long digital extensor tendon (1 horse), or sheath of the common digital extensor tendon (1 horse) in the remaining horses. Nine horses received only medical treatment, using a combination of broad-spectrum parenterally administered antimicrobial drugs (8 of 9 horses), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (8 of 9 horses), or irrigation of the wound (4 of 9 horses). Fourteen horses were treated surgically with either transection of the palmar/plantar annular ligament of the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joint (5 of 14 horses), lavage of the sheath after insertion of drains into the sheath (7 of 14 horses), or both (2 of 14 horses). All horses treated surgically were concurrently treated parenterally with broad-spectrum antimicrobial drugs and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Two horses with septic tenosynovitis were not treated and were euthanatized at the owners' request. Five horses were euthanatized before discharge from the hospital. Two horses (both treated medically) were lost to follow-up. Follow-up information was obtained for 18 horses, 6 to 55 months after discharge from the hospital. Of the 5 horses treated medically for which follow-up was available, 4 returned to their intended use (3 performance, 1 breeding), and 1 was being used for breeding rather than as intended for performance. Of the 13 horses treated surgically, for which long-term follow-up information was available, 6 returned to their intended use (3 performance, 3 breeding), 3 were unable to return to their intended use (performance), and 4 horses used for performance prior to injury were retired for breeding. Overall, 18 of the 23 horses (78%) for which long-term follow-up was available survived > 6 months after discharge from the hospital. Ten of these horses (56%) returned to their intended use (6 performance and 4 breeding).