Common Diseases of Farm Animals

by Robert Alexander Craig

The lameness resulting from an inflammation of tendons resembles that resulting from strains and injuries to the fetlock joint, especially in the region of the sesamoid bones.

INFLAMMATION OF THE SESAMOID BONES differs slightly from the former. Pressure over the posterior region of the fetlock may cause the animal pain. The lameness shows a tendency to disappear with rest and reappear when the animal is again worked. Lameness is most prominent in some cases when the animal is first moved out. There may be a lack of local symptoms, such as heat and swelling. It is not uncommon for a bony enlargement to form on the sesamoid bone after a few months or a year.

The following treatment is recommended. Horses that have a poor quality of tendon and weak fetlocks and pasterns should not be used for breeding purposes. Careful driving would prevent a large percentage of injuries to tendons. The most important treatment for all injuries due to strains is rest. In all cases of severe strain to the structures in this region, it is very advisable to apply a plaster bandage. This should be left on for at least two weeks. When the acute inflammation has subsided, counterirritants may be applied. Either cold or hot applications are recommended. Cold applications are to be preferred at the beginning of the inflammation. Covering the tendons with a cold bandage, or with a heavy layer of antiphlogistin, is recommended. The horse should not be worked until after the tendons have had an opportunity to completely recover from the inflammation.

CONTRACTED TENDONS, KNUCKLING-OVER.—New-born foals are sometimes unable to stand on their front feet because of the excessive knuckling-over. The colt may walk on the front of the pastern and fetlock. This sometimes results in severe injury to the skin and the underlying tissues.

Knuckling-over in the mature horse is not always due to contracted tendons. It may occur as a symptom of inflammation of the flexor tendons, ligaments of the fetlock joint and the articulation as well. It may be noticed in animals that have ring-bone, or coffin-joint lameness.

The most common cause for this unsoundness is inflammation of the muscles and tendons of the flexors of the digit. As a result of long standing or severe inflammation, shortening of these structures occurs in consequence of the contraction of the inflammatory or cicatricial tissue. Knuckling-over in the newborn colt is commonly caused by a weakness or lack of innervation of the extensor muscle of the digit. Judging from the quick recovery that usually occurs, other causes for this condition are seldom present.

The treatment recommended for the new-born colt is supporting the fetlock with a light plaster bandage. This should be applied very soon after birth in order to prevent bruising of the fetlock. A light cheese-cloth bandage should be applied to the limb from the hoof to the knee. The colt is laid on its side, the toe extended as much as possible, and the plaster bandage applied. This should be removed in about one week and fresh bandages applied. In about two weeks the young animal is usually able to walk on the toe. As soon as it is able to do this a bandage is unnecessary. It is not advisable to turn the colt outside if there is any chance for the bandages to become wet.

Knuckling-over due to faulty conformation is difficult to correct. Light work and careful shoeing are the most valuable preventive measures in young horses. Sprains and injuries to the region of the fetlock should receive the necessary treatment. The treatment for contracted tendon is largely surgical and consists in sectioning it.

INJURIES CAUSED BY INTERFERING.—Horses that have faulty action may strike the opposite fetlock with the moving foot, the inside of the opposite limb in the region of the knee, and the quarters of the front foot with the shoe of the hindfoot. It is very common for horses to "brush" the inside of the hind fetlock with the opposite foot when trotting, especially if tired. Interfering in the front feet is less common. Striking the inside of the region of the knee with the opposite foot or "speedy cutting" occurs in driving and speed horses. Both of the latter forms of interfering may be considered unsoundnesses.

The most common cause of interfering is faulty conformation, such as narrowness of the chest or pelvis, faulty conformation of the limbs and irregularity in the action of the joints. Shoeing and the condition of the feet are also important factors. Animals that have a narrow chest or pelvis interfere because the legs are placed too closely together. Turning in of the knees or "knock-kneed," winging in or out of the feet, or any other defective conformation of the limbs that tends to prevent the animal from moving the feet in line, lead to serious interfering. A wide-spreading hoof, an unbalanced condition of the foot and improper fitting of the shoes are common causes for interfering in horses that would otherwise move the feet in line. Debility from disease and overwork may cause the animal to interfere temporarily. An unbalanced gait and shortness of the body are the common causes for injuries to the quarters.