Lameness of the Horse: Veterinary Practitioners' Series, No. 1Lacroix, John Victor
Science
Lameness of the Horse: Veterinary Practitioners' Series, No. 1
Lacroix, John Victor
Horses -- Health; Lameness in horses
This condition is undoubtedly of more frequent occurrence than we are
wont to grant when one considers the comparatively small number of cases
that are actually recognized in practice. It does not follow, however,
that iliac thrombosis rarely exists. Probably in the majority of
instances there is insufficient obstruction of the lumina of vessels to
provoke noticeable inconvenience. Or, if circulation is hampered to the
extent that function is impaired and manifestations are observed by the
driver, the subject may be permitted to rest a few days and partial
resolution occurs, so that further trouble is not noticeable.
As judged by lesions of the aorta and iliac arteries in dissecting
subjects, the conclusion that arteritis and resultant disorders are of
rather frequent occurrence, is logical.
Etiology.--Inflammation of the vessel walls and resultant
prolifieration of tissue together with the accumulation of clotted blood
becoming organized, serve to obstruct the lumen of the affected artery.
The cause of arteritis is unknown in many instances, but parasitic
invasion and contiguous involvement of vessels in some inflammatory
injuries are etiological factors.
Symptomatology.--A characteristic type of lameness signalizes iliac
thrombosis and the following brief abstract from a contribution on this
subject by Drs. Merillat[45], clearly portrays the chief symptoms:
[Illustration: Fig. 48--Exposure of aorta and its branches, showing
location of thrombi in numerous places. In this case (same as Fig. 49)
Dr. L.A. and Dr. Edward Merillat found the cause of the condition to be
due to sclerastomiasis.]
The seizures are accompanied with profuse sudation, tremors,
dilated nostrils, accelerated respirations and other symptoms of
pain and distress, all of which, together with the lameness,
disappear as rapidly as they had developed, leaving the animal in
an apparently perfect state of health, ready to fall with another
attack of precisely the same kind, as soon as enough exercise is
forced upon it. The rectal explorations may reveal a pulseless
state of one or more of the iliac arteries and a hardness and
enlargement of the aortic quadrifurcation, but sometimes this
palpation fails to disclose any _perceptible_ diminution of the
blood current of these vessels. The obturation being incomplete, it
may be impossible by palpation to decide that thrombosis really
exists. In this event and, in fact, in all eases, the clinical
symptoms are sufficiently characteristic to make a diagnosis
without reservation. It cannot be mistaken for any other disease,
once properly investigated. Any given seizure may easily be
mistaken for azoturia, at first, but a better examination soon
excludes that disease.
[Illustration: Fig. 49--Illustrative of thrombosis of the aorta, iliacs
and branches. Photo by Dr. L.A. Merillat.]
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