Page 442 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

inflammation and pain.

• Box rest to start with and introduction of controlled exercise as advised by the vet.
VetBooks.ir • Physiotherapy.

•
Corrective foot trimming if necessary.
• Topical anti-inflammatory medications can be applied.

The period of rest depends on the severity of the injury. When the horse is brought back into

work, the exercise programme should be modified. Swimming is helpful in some cases if the
facilities are available.

Chronic cases are difficult to treat successfully. Shock wave therapy is used with variable
results.

PROGNOSIS

The prognosis depends on the severity of the injury. It is generally guarded as the condition
tends to recur.

PHYSITIS

Physitis is the name given to the condition where there is inflammation and abnormal bone

activity in the growth plates of foals and young horses. The growth plates most commonly
affected are:

• the distal (lower) end of the radius just above the knee
• the distal end of the cannon bone in the fore and hind limbs

• the distal tibia.

As with osteochondrosis, there is a disturbance of endochondral ossification of the growing
bones. The condition usually occurs in the fetlock region of foals aged between 3 and 6
months and at the distal radius in animals between 8 months and 2 years.

Causes

Physitis is a developmental orthopaedic disease thought to be a consequence of overloading

and compression of the affected growth plates. This may occur owing to:
• overfeeding of foals and yearlings