Very Common
Rare
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
Hypertrophic Osteopathy
Synonyms: Marie's Disease, HO
Summary
Hypertrophic Osteopathy is a rare disorder that manifests as hard, bony swellings on the lower legs usually, but sometimes on the head or elsewhere.
This strange bone proliferation usually results from a tumor somewhere in the horse, most often in the lungs or chest. It can also be caused by abscesses and other chronic infections in the lungs or chest, and sometimes unrelated to the chest.
The tumor produces substances that are similar to a certain hormone that is involved in calcium regulation, called PTH (parathyroid hormone). The tumor-produced substance (called is similar enough to PTH that it causes similar effects, causing bone resorption and release of calcium into the blood.
Why bone is laid down in the locations it is in HO is not entirely understood at this time.
DIAGNOSIS is usually made by X-ray appearance of shells of bone laid down around the long bones or joints, and correlation to other predisposing conditions present in the horse.
TREATMENT is limited to treating whatever the underlying cause is. Often it is untreatable.
This strange bone proliferation usually results from a tumor somewhere in the horse, most often in the lungs or chest. It can also be caused by abscesses and other chronic infections in the lungs or chest, and sometimes unrelated to the chest.
The tumor produces substances that are similar to a certain hormone that is involved in calcium regulation, called PTH (parathyroid hormone). The tumor-produced substance (called is similar enough to PTH that it causes similar effects, causing bone resorption and release of calcium into the blood.
Why bone is laid down in the locations it is in HO is not entirely understood at this time.
DIAGNOSIS is usually made by X-ray appearance of shells of bone laid down around the long bones or joints, and correlation to other predisposing conditions present in the horse.
TREATMENT is limited to treating whatever the underlying cause is. Often it is untreatable.
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 is generally poor because cancer of the lung or chest is usually the cause. It can be difficult or impossible to address the causative cancer. If the condition is caused by some other treatable condition, then the HO might resolve once the predisposing condition resolves.my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- What is the causative problem for the Hypertrophic Osteopathy?
Prevention
There is no known prevention. Removal of treatable cancers or treatment of any other causative diseases would prevent the development of HO
Related References:
Schleining, J Voss, E. Hypertrophic osteopathy secondary to gastric squamous cell carcinoma in a horse. EQUINE VETERINARY EDUCATION
Equine vet. Educ. (2004) 16 (6) 304-307
Schleining, J Voss, E. Hypertrophic osteopathy secondary to gastric squamous cell carcinoma in a horse. EQUINE VETERINARY EDUCATION
Equine vet. Educ. (2004) 16 (6) 304-307