Developmental Orthopedic Diseases (DOD)

DOD is a complex of clinical syndromes expressed in the musculoskeletal system of young horses during their growth and development. DOD is considered a multifactorial disease because many factors have been identified in association with the clinical signs, including nutrition, exercise, genetics, and trauma. The clinical syndromes usually included in DOD are growth plate abnormalities (physitis) and osteochondrosis (defective conversion of cartilage to bone). Angular limb deformities, flexural deformities, and collapse of the carpus (knee) and tarsus (hock) are also referred to as part of the DOD complex.
There are different treatments for DOD depending on what type of DOD you are dealing with. Some forms of DOD can be treated as simply as controlling the young horse’s exercise while others may require surgery and corrective shoeing. It is important to have the youngster looked by a veterinarian as soon as any abnormality is seen. Many times a prompt diagnosis and treatment will mean a high percentage chance for a successful sound career.
An example of a foal with a flexural deformity and an angular limb deformity is shown here. This foal was brought to us earlier this year when he was 4 weeks old. He was walking on his “tip toes” because his flexor tendons were tightly contracted. His heels could not touch the ground. This is considered a severe case. It was complicated by the fact that the colt also had an angular limb deformity. His knees were “knocked kneed” or bending towards each other. Dr. Fisch performed a surgery called a check ligament desmotomy to correct the flexural deformity and a periosteal stripping surgery to correct the angular limb deformity.
The colt responded perfectly to the surgery. The second photo is just a week later when he left AVS EQUINE to go back home. The key to a good outcome like this is early diagnosis and treatment. If this foal had waited much longer for treatment, the outcome would probably not have been as good. The timely diagnosis was the result of an alert farrier, Bill Wilkins, taking action. (This is another example of farriers and veterinarians working together for the good of the horse.) Make sure that if one of your foals has any type of leg problem, that you get it examined by a veterinarian soon. A little time can make a big difference.

Photo DOD 1A & 1B caption
Boo, owned by Candy James of Albany, Ga. The tendons were contracted so she had to walk on her toes, photo left. One week post check ligament desmotomy surgery, the heels are flat on the ground and she is walking normally, photo right.

 Not All Kentucky Derby Horses Live in Kentucky!

Shown here is a 2002 son of Arazi. This colt’s dam, Bull’s Crown, is a daughter of Holy Bull. Holy Bull won the Florida Derby, the Travers Stakes, and is a multiple Grade I stakes winner. Arazi won the Bold Ruler Stakes and close to $300,000. This handsome yearling is owned by Rosewood Stable in Thomasville, Georgia. Rosewood Stable breeds many mares to their own and outside stallions. One of their well known runners includes Cherokee Run.
In mid February, Dr. Malphus of Clanton-Malphus Veterinary Hospital made a quick and accurate diagnosis of an entrapped intestine in a hernia that the colt had. She referred the colt to AVS Equine for emergency surgery. Dr. Short examined the colt on arrival at AVS Equine , confirmed the diagnosis, and started him on IV fluids. Dr Steve Fisch and the AVS Equine veterinary technicians performed the surgery and found the reason the intestines were trapped is there were multiple adhesions around the hernia sac that were holding them in the sac. The adhesions were broken down, the intestines replaced, and the hernia repaired.
Fortunately, AVS Equine offers our clients peace of mind that their horse will receive the best possible care in the event of colic or colic surgery. Our doctors have a multitude of experience with colic and colic surgery. Dr. Aric Adams and our other doctors have a special interest in colic surgery and post surgical care that drives them to continually seek out new techniques to improve each patients’ surgical and post surgical care.

 Zazoo

Zazoo, a 2001 filly owned by Margaret & Allen Smith of Tallahassee went on to be a top 10 finalist in the John Deere Amateur Hunter Under Saddle Stakes and the 2 Year Old Hunter Under Saddle Stakes at The All American Quarter Horse Congress after having arthroscopic surgery of a hock and fetlock joint at AVS Equine Medical & Surgical Hospital. Way to go Zazoo!

 Curits

Curtis, owned by Krissy and Benny Pinckard of Troy, Alabama was 3rd (missing the win by 1 point) in open cutting at the 2004 All American Quarter Horse Congress. Curtis had his feet computer hoof balanced in 2003 and won several regional cutting events. He began having problems again and had his feet rebalanced in August 2004 and then went on to the great run at the Congress. Curtis is unstoppable when he is “in balance”. Congratulations to Krissy and Benny.