Angular deformation of the tail in a young foal

Abstract

SummaryA 1‐week‐old Warmblood female foal was presented for evaluation of an angular deviation of the tail to the left. The foal was able to defaecate normally. Manual straightening of the tail was possible but not completely to its normal position. Radiology revealed a growth deformity of coccygeal vertebrae 6 and 7 (CoV). Spontaneous correction of the tail angle was not expected, and surgical correction was advised. At that moment, the owner decided to wait and the operation was postponed until further notice. After 10 weeks, surgical correction of the angular deviation was undertaken by transphyseal screw placement with hemicircumferential periosteal transection and elevation on the left side of both vertebrae as well as inserting a temporary external fixator in which the end was distracted. Three weeks after surgery, the pins were removed. At the follow‐up examination 12 months after initial surgery, the deviation was nearly corrected and reduced to ca. 10 degrees deviation, and the owner was satisfied with the obtained result. No loss of sensory or motor function had occurred.