What is physitis?

Physitis is inflammation of the growth plates in the long bones of growing foals (physis = growth plate, -itis = inflammation). To help better understand this disease, let me first describe how bones grow and the growth plate’s role in the process. In utero, the skeleton of a foal is composed of cartilage.

What causes physitis in horses?

Physitis involves swelling around the growth plates of certain long bones in young horses. Suggested causes include malnutrition, conformational defects, excessive exercise, obesity, and toxicosis.

How is Epiphysitis treated in horses?

The treatment of physitis relies on two key components: box rest and diet restriction. In most cases drugs are not required, but if the foal is lame your vet may recommend anti-inflammatory medications. Box rest limits exercise, so limits the active compression when the foal is moving about.

When do growth plates close in horses?

The last plates will close somewhere between 5½ and eight years old – and it is specifically these growth plates that are found in the back of the horse – all 32 of them! Most growth plates lie across the weight bearing plane – think of knees, ankles, shoulders etc. – and are less affected by the carriage of weight.

What is septic Physitis?

Septic physitis is an infection of the growth plates in the bones of a neonatal foal. The infection typically occurs secondary to the foal failing to receive enough protective antibodies in the colostrum at birth (failure of passive transfer).

What causes joint ill in foals?

Joint-ill in the foal is usually a result of a blood-borne infection (septicemia), often associated with problems such as lack of the vital first milk, known as colostrum, without which a foal will have inadequate immunity to fight off infection.

What should I feed my yearling with Epiphysitis?

He should be fine with free-choice, good-quality grass hay. He should be fed little to no alfalfa hay. Supplement with 1/4 lb (0.1 kg) of a balancer pellet twice per day (total of 1/2 lb or 0.2 kg per day) to supply the necessary protein, minerals, and vitamins for a growing body.

What is equine Epiphysitis?

Epiphysitis, also known as physitis, is a generalized bone disease of young, growing horses that is characterized by the enlargement of the growth plates in long bones such as the tibia, radius, and cannon bones.

How do you tell if a horse’s growth plates are closed?

You can’t see the line where the cartilage was. If you think you can determine this by feeling the horse’s knee, think again. It’s tough to see any of this from the outside, said Ross Cleland, DVM, Carlton, Ore. He advises you to x-ray the knees to see how the closing is progressing around 24 to 30 months of age.

When do Trakehners stop growing?

Trakehners are late maturers, usually being turned out at around 2.5 years of age and continuing to grow up to the age of 6 or 7 years (hence their longevity).

Can foals recover from joint ill?

In most cases, if the joint ill is diagnosed quickly and aggressive treatments begun immediately, foals make a full recovery. As soon as you notice anything is off with your foal, make an appointment with your veterinarian to have a diagnosis made.

Can joint ill be cured?

Joint-ill is caused by bacteria, so treatment with high doses of antibiotics can be successful if the disease is diagnosed early. If there is an outbreak of joint-ill on your farm, you should consult your farm vet as the fate of the individual lambs depends on the stage of infection.

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis (PLAN-tur fas-e-I-tis) is one of the most common causes of heel pain.

How is a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis made?

A determination about a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis can usually be made based on a person’s medical history and physical examination. When a physician suspects a fracture, infection, or some other serious underlying condition, they may order an X-ray to investigate.

Can plantar fasciitis cause heel pain?

Plantar fasciitis can cause intense heel pain. Plantar fasciitis (PLAN-tur fas-e-I-tis) is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes (plantar fascia).

What is plaqueplantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the fibrous tissue (plantar fascia) along the bottom of your foot that connects your heel bone to your toes. Plantar fasciitis can cause intense heel pain.