A single screw technique is described as a temporary transphyseal bridge for the treatment of fetlock varus angular limb deformity in foals. This has been compared to tension band wiring with regards to rate of correction, cosmetic result and incidence of complications. The single screw was found to be an effective technique resulting in more rapid improvement of deviations in foals aged up to 5 months. Complications were minimal following both techniques and the final cosmetic result was better following single screw surgery.

Background: There is little consensus on factors associated with survival in foals with septic arthritis and limited data on long-term racing performance of Thoroughbred foals treated for septic arthritis. A more thorough understanding of short-and longterm outcome is necessary to help inform owners, and subsequently guide treatment.Objectives: To investigate factors associated with survival, and to analyse racing performance of foals with septic arthritis compared with their maternal siblings. Study design:Retrospective cohort and a case-control study.Methods: Veterinary clinical records of Thoroughbred foals ≤180 days old that underwent arthroscopic, cannulae or through-and-through needle lavage for the treatment of septic arthritis between 2009 and 2015 were reviewed. Data included signalment, and clinicopathological information. The dam's foaling records were reviewed and the lifetime racing records were obtained for affected foals and two of their maternal siblings. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with survival to discharge or racing. Comparisons between treated foals and their maternal siblings were made.Results: Ninety (78%) of 115 foals diagnosed with septic arthritis were discharged alive. Foals <26 days old at the time of admission were five times less likely (P = .003) and foals with concurrent multisystemic disease were six times less likely (P = .02) to be discharged alive. Sixty (67%) foals discharged alive started in ≥1 race, and there was no difference in the proportion of foals that started in a race or racing performance between foals treated for septic arthritis and their maternal siblings. Main limitations:Retrospective study design, limited number of foals with multiple joint involvement and failure to accurately record duration of clinical signs.Conclusions: Foals treated for septic arthritis at the Scone Equine Hospital, New South Wales, Australia had a good prognosis for survival, and for this cohort, foals that survived to discharge had a similar ability to race as their maternal siblings.

Septic osteitis of the distal phalanx should be considered as a source of lameness in foals with signs referable to the foot and does not necessarily preclude a career in racing. Although infection may occur secondary to bacterial penetration of the hoof or sole, the distal phalanx should also be considered as a potential site for hematogenous septic arthritis or osteomyelitis in foals.

Summary This case report is the first published description of a minimally invasive transurethral endoscopic‐guided approach to repair multiple bladder tears in a standing mare. The mare was diagnosed with a ruptured bladder 48 h post‐partum based on clinical signs, transabdominal ultrasonography, serum and peritoneal fluid analysis, and cystoscopy. Under sedation and epidural anaesthesia and with cystoscopic visualisation, two bladder tears were sutured using an articulating endoscopic suturing device. The device was placed transurethrally and a simple continuous pattern of 2‐0 braided lactomer used to close two full‐thickness tears. The surgery time was 50 min and no complications were encountered. Cystoscopy 60 days post‐operatively confirmed complete healing of the tears and no evidence of urolithiasis.

Summary This report describes and evaluates the use of a single‐positional absorbable screw (Smart Screw)1 as a temporary transphyseal bridge of the lateral aspect of the distal metacarpus in 6 foals with fetlock varus deformities. Using radiographic and visual assessments, an improvement in the severity of the deviation was identified in all cases. There were no complications encountered during screw placement or post operatively. The use of absorbable screws in the treatment of angular limb deformities in foals has potential and offers several advantages over the use of traditional stainless steel implants.