Posted by Alexandra Wikner on July 16, 2003 at 05:06:24:
In Reply to: And that means? posted by Alexandra Wikner on July 16, 2003 at 02:07:42:
I think I have sorted it out now. Bilateral = on both legs (front in this case). contracture of DDF = The deep digital flexor tendon is too short compared to the bone, ie the bone has grown faster than the bone.
And this will, if left untreated, lead to clubfoot? Right?
In Sweden we treat clubfoot with either trimming of the heel, lowering the heel every 3-6 days in mild cases. Or as the next step by fitting a glue-on shoe with toe extension (Dalric type of shoes). Walk the foal on hard ground (prefferably tarmac) for 10 minutes twice a day and then increase it, to stretch the DDF. If noone of this helps, they do a surgery and cut off the DDF.
But when I have searched on the internet, the english and american sites recommend as much turnout as possible. In Sweden the opinion is that excessive motion actually can CAUSE clubfoot. So I am a bit confused there? A friend of mine had a colt that developed clubfoot on first one forleg and then the other. In his case the vets said the cause was the mare giving to much and too rich milk, and that the mare was walking around to much in the field due to the flies, and therefore the foal didnīt get enough time to rest properly, and that stressed the legs and worsened the clubfoot condition.
I donīt like to get "stuck" with one wiew only, so I would really apprichiate more experiences and wiews on how to treat it and so.
: And what does that mean? (English isnīt my first language you know).
: : These pictures depict a foal with bilateral DDF contracture - Grade 2 on the left and 2 to 3 on the right.
: : M. W. Myers, D.V.M.