Clinical Signs

CLINICAL
SIGNS

Diagnosing Developmental Orthopedic Disease

There are many general signs that horse caregivers can look for to identify a potential DOD case. These include lameness, stiffness, and inflammation. Other signs to watch for are difficulty moving, and limb abnormalities [3]. Identifying DOD earlier can improve the welfare of your horse through quicker treatment and not causing worsening pain, improve the likelihood of recovery, and save the horse owner money by avoiding severe outcomes requiring surgical intervention. Although using preventative practices may reduce the chances of worsening clinical signs, they do not serve as a proper treatment or cure. A concerned horse caregiver should seek professional medical assistance through a veterinarian.

Always consult with your veterinarian if you suspect your horse has orthopedic concerns so that the issue can be diagnosed and the horse can be treated accordingly. General diagnosis methods for DOD include nuclear imaging and blood tests [3]. However, there are various diagnostic methods available for the various forms of DOD. The optimal time for early detection of DOD is 6 months via x-rays [4].

Please see the different clinical signs and diagnostic tests for common forms of DOD below. It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, but it is a good starting point.

Photo By: Vet Choice

Osteochondrosis

Clinical Signs:

Up to 6 months old [10];
- Trouble keeping up with other animals
- Laying down more often
- Joint swelling
- Stiffness
Age one year and up [10];
- Stiffness of joints
- Lameness
- Pain occurs when bending the joint
Signs regardless of equids’ age:
- Please note that many foals may not show any signs [10]
- Non-painful joint swelling [10]
- Observation of lameness [13]
- Altered performance [10]
Fragments of detached cartilage can result in osteochondritis dissecans and cause pain and lameness [11]
- Clinical signs for this can vary based on the activity level of the horse and degree of detachment [11]