An outbreak of Australian Stringhalt associated with skin lesions in Colombia

Abstract

SummaryAnamnesis: eight Silla Argentina breed horses imported from Argentina presented with an abnormal gait and skin lesions. Clinical and laboratory findings: all cases showed different degrees of hind limb hyperflexion, atrophy of the lateral digital muscles, skin lesions, and poor body condition. They underwent several clinical and laboratory examinations, including endoscopy of the upper respiratory tract, skin and liver biopsy, blood count, biochemical profile, and electromyography that showed evidence of a neuropathy and dermatitis. Treatment approach: the horses were treated with phenylbutazone and thiamine. The response was patient dependent with different degrees of recovery resulting. Conclusion: this is the first report of an outbreak of bilateral Australian Stringhalt in Colombia and the first associated to skin lesions according to the veterinary medicine scientific literature. Keywords: equine, hind limb hyperflexion, Hypochaeris radicata, neuropathy.Resumen Anamnesis: ocho caballos de raza silla Argentina importados de Argentina presentaron un andar anormal y lesiones de piel. Hallazgos clínicos y de laboratorio: todos los animales presentaron hiperflexión de los miembros anteriores de forma bilateral, en diferentes grados de severidad; atrofia del músculo digital lateral, lesiones de piel y condición corporal deficiente. Se realizaron endoscopias, biopsias de piel, hematología, química sanguínea, electromiografías que indicaron una neuropatía y dermatitis. ResumoAnamnese: oito cavalos de raça Silla Argentina foram importados a partir da Argentina por una marcha anormal e lesões cutâneas. Achados clínicos e de laboratório: todos os animais apresentaram hiperflexão bilateral dos membros anteriores com diferentes graus de gravidade; atrofia do músculo digital lateral, lesões de pele e condição corporal baixa. Foram efectuadas endoscopias, biópsias de pele, hematologia química sanguínea e electromiografias que indicaram uma neuropatia e uma dermatitis. Abordagem terapêutica: os cavalos foram tratados com fenilbutazona e tiamina obtendo uma resposta variável entre os animais. Conclusão: este é o primeiro relatório de arpejo Australiano reportado na Colômbia e o primeiro associado com lesões de pele de acordo com a literatura científica médico-veterinária.

Ultrasound diagnosis of lateral digital extensor muscle, tendon, and synovial sheath alterations in Colombian creole horses with clinical signs of tarsus hyperflexion.

“…Histopathological findings were possibly associated with axonal degeneration and vacuolization of nerve fibers, as previously reported in classic stringhalt in CCH (Duque et al, 2014). Similarly, these findings can be associated with axonopathy and neuromuscular deficit (Domange et al, 2010;Pennington et al, 2011;Oliver and Suarez, 2016). Therefore, a localized nerve dysfunction may be involved in the presentation of hyperflexion, which characterizes both stringhalt types.…”