Osteochondral dysplasia of the coxofemoral joints in a Friesian foal: Clinical findings and methods of diagnosis

Diseases of the coxofemoral (hip) joint are infrequently
diagnosed in horses. Most cases are presented as an unilateral
condition and usually are of traumatic origin. This case
report describes a Friesian foal with a clinically obvious
thoracolumbar kyphosis, combined with a weight-shifting
stance and a shortened stride of both hindlimbs. General
clinical and lameness examinations, computed tomographic
examination of the pelvis, and macroscopic and
histopathological examinations of the coxofemoral joints were
performed. This revealed a final, phenotypical diagnosis of a
primary osteochondral dysplasia of both coxofemoral joints
with secondary osteoarthritis. Similar to the occurrence of this
condition in other species and considering the small genetic
basis of the Friesian horse breed, a genetic predisposing factor
is suspected to play a key role in the developing mechanism
of dysplastic coxofemoral joint disease in horses as illustrated
with this case. Computed tomography scanning appears to be
a useful imaging technique in the detection of coxofemoral
joint disease in small horses and foals.