DR WAQAS NAWAZ PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi Pakistan

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This is a real problem on stud farms & small breeders. A lame foal has joint ill until
proven otherwise. It has been estimated to have prevalence of 0.5-1% in Thoroughbreds (Breed
of Horses). It can result in loss of the foal for future athletic performance and in most serious
cases, Euthanasia may be the end result. Joint ill is the most common cause of lameness in foal.
“It is an infection of joints & adjacent bones caused by a variety of the bacteria”
The term joint ill is somewhat misleading because the infection may spread to bones on either
side of the joint resulting in an Osteomyelitis & more commonly more than 1 joint is involved.
Etiology:
 Salmonella
 E. coli
 Actinobacillus equuli
 Staphylococcus
Predisposing Factors:
Most commonly preceded by Septicemia  this is systemic bacterial infection
o Source of bacteria
 Skin of normal horses
 Environment
 Genital tract of mare
o Bacteria gain access to blood circulation by variety of routes i.e GIT, Respiratory
tract, umbilicus & Placenta
o Bacteria then enter the joint & establish a focus of infection (focal infection)
o Failure to acquire sufficient colostral immunity is probably the leading or
contributory cause of neonatal infection. Other factors which predispose to the
development of septicemia, and thus joint ill, include
Causes:
Environment
o Poor sanitation
o Poor ventilation
o Over-crowding
Infection of placenta
Inappropriate umbilical cord disinfection
Prematurity

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Symptoms:
 Lameness is often the first recognized sign
 Infected joint becomes hot, Painful & Swollen
 Swelling of the tissue around bone
Diagnosis:
 Blood sampling
 Culturing of bacteria to identify the septicemia & increased WBCs count can occur. It
indicates infection.
 Joint fluid examination
 If there is a suspicion that a foal has joint ill, a sample of joint fluid is taken preferably
before the start of antibiotics.
 Normal joint fluid is clear with low cells & protein level but elevated in case of infection.
The elevated level of proteins & PCV indicates dehydration.
 Gross examination: Pus formation by bacteria in joint fluid & change in color occurs.
 Radiograph
 X-rays are useful not only for initial diagnosis but also for the monitoring the progression
of disease & is also used to rule-out a fracture.
 Monitoring of Foal
 Palpation of joints & monitoring of rectal temperatures
 Early diagnosis & treatment can be conducted by this
Treatment:
Treatment depends on;
How early treatment is initiated
Number of joints involved
Bone involvement is suspected or confirmed
Severity of the disease
Antibiotics should be started as soon as the disease is suspected. Broad spectrum
antibiotics should be used & if the culture results are available, the antibiotics regime (medicine)
can be altered accordingly. Antibiotic therapy should be done for 2-3 weeks after clinical signs.
 Drainage of the joint fluid if excessive swelling
 NSAID for pain relief
 Rehydration
 Nutrition
 Good nursing practice