Retrospective study on clinical findings, treatment details and outcome in foals with rupture of the common digital extensor tendon
Anna Mokry1* (DVM, Resident ECVSMR), Camille Bernhard2 (Cand.Med.Vet Student), Michèle Dumoulin1 (DVM, PhD), Astrid Mievis1 (DVM), Frederik Pille1 (DVM, PhD, Dip ECVS, Uta Delling2§ (DVM, Dr.med.vet.habil. Dipl ACVS/ECVS), Maarten Oosterlinck1§
(DVM, PhD, Dipl ECVS, Dipl ECVSMR)
§ Shared last authorship
1Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology of Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
2Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
Introduction:
Rupture of the common digital extensor tendon (CDET) in foals is sparsely documented in lit- erature.
Materials and methods:
Retrospective study of foals with CDET rupture presented to the University of Ghent and Hannover between 2009 and 2020. History, clinical examination and treatment details were retrieved from clinical records, and outcome was based on telephone questionnaire with the owner.
Results:
Twenty foals were identified. The sample consisted of mostly Warmbloods (15/20), with an equal distribution between male and female foals. Median age on admission was 7.5 days (range 1–21). Twelve foals presented with concurrent flexural deformity. In two cases, no treatment was performed due to financial restrictions. Treatment included medical support, immobilization (bandage/splint/cast, tailored to the individual case and stage of healing), and box rest. The foals were hospitalized for a median of 27.5 days (range 7–76); all foals sur- vived to discharge. Follow-up was obtained for 18 horses. Three horses were euthanized for reasons unrelated to CDET rupture. All foals treated in 2020 (n=6) presented excellent short- term functional and cosmetic outcome (median follow-up 6.5 months, range 4–8), whereas 5/9 foals treated in preceding years (median follow-up 33 months, range 12–90) were reported to have limitations in performance, which owners attributed to CDET rupture earlier in life.
Conclusion and discussion:
Rupture of the CDET is a rare condition often requiring prolonged veterinary care, especially in cases with concurrent flexural deformity. Further research is required to investigate the po- tential association with limitations in athletic performance later in life.
