Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Temporohyoid osteoarthropathy in two young horses.
- Journal:
- Australian veterinary journal
- Year:
- 2013
- Authors:
- Readford, P K et al.
- Affiliation:
- School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences · Australia
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This report discusses two young Australian horses diagnosed with temporohyoid osteoarthropathy, a condition affecting a joint in the head. The exact cause of this condition isn't fully understood, but it might be related to an infection from ear problems or a non-infectious degeneration in the joint. Both horses showed some improvement after being treated with a combination of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications, along with care for a separate eye issue. One horse also received gabapentin, a medication that helps reduce pain and discomfort, to manage severe head shaking. Overall, the treatment worked partially for both horses.
Abstract
Two cases of temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO) in young Australian horses are described. The pathogenesis of THO is yet to be fully elucidated, but current theories include extension of infection from otitis media or interna to the temporohyoid joint or a primary but non-infectious degenerative condition within the temporohyoid joint. The young age of the horses and the unilateral distribution suggested an infectious aetiology. Both horses partially responded to treatment with broad-spectrum antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drugs with concurrent management of ulcerative keratitis. The management of violent head shaking in one horse included the administration of gabapentin, an anticonvulsant known to have antihyperalgesic effects and reduce neuropathic pain.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23614517/