Very Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Breakdown Injury, Traumatic Disruption of Suspensory Apparatus
Synonyms: Catastrophic Breakdown
Summary
The suspensory apparatus supports the fetlock. In racehorses and sometimes in foals, the entire structure of the suspensory apparatus can rupture, causing collapse of the fetlock to the ground.
Breakdown can occur due to complete fracture of the sesamoids, rupture of the suspensory ligament, or rupture of the distal ligaments of the proximal sesamoids, or a combination of injuries.
This catastrophic injury occurs in racehorses when the tension in the suspensory apparatus is overloaded, usually due to over-fatigue of the system.
A similar syndrome is seen in foals that have been confined for long periods of time and then overexert.
Breakdown can occur due to complete fracture of the sesamoids, rupture of the suspensory ligament, or rupture of the distal ligaments of the proximal sesamoids, or a combination of injuries.
This catastrophic injury occurs in racehorses when the tension in the suspensory apparatus is overloaded, usually due to over-fatigue of the system.
A similar syndrome is seen in foals that have been confined for long periods of time and then overexert.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
The prognosis for this injury is generally grave. In many cases, the blood supply to the lower limb is lost. In cases in which the blood supply still exists, the only course is usually fetlock fusion (arthrodesis), leading to an animal that may be breeding sound.my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
Less Common
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Very Common
Less Common
Related References:
Higgins AJ, Snyder JR eds. The Equine Manual. 2nd Ed. Edinburgh: Elsevier Saunders 2006.