Infection alert
Horse & Hound|April 18, 2024
Infection of synovial fluid can present a threat to life, but the prognosis is usually good with prompt care. Therese de Souza MRCVS explains
Infection alert

SYNOVIAL sepsis is when there is infection or contamination within a structure that contains synovial (joint) fluid.

The structures that can be involved include (see box, right):

  • Joints
  • Tendon sheaths - sleeves of fluid through which tendons run
  • Bursa a sac of fluid that contains synovial fluid, normally over a bony prominence.
  • It is recognised as a frequent cause of injury, disease and, sadly, death in horses.

HOW DOES IT OCCUR?

IN the adult horse, synovial sepsis usually results from a direct penetration of the synovial structure following a wound. Sometimes no wound is clearly visible, but the infection may have resulted from a penetration, such as in the case of blackthorn injuries. Often the wound can be very small, or not dramatic to look at, but it overlies an important structure.

Horses can also develop synovial sepsis after medication or surgery into a joint, tendon sheath or bursa but this is very rare, occurring in less than 1% of cases.

Foals can contract synovial sepsis due to similar causes as adult horses, but a case in foals would normally result from infection spread from the bloodstream. This is sometimes called "joint ill" and can be accompanied by other sources of infection in the foal, such as an umbilical infection or pneumonia.

THE SIGNS

THE signs of synovial sepsis vary, but normally involve a collection of the following:

A wound overlying a synovial structure

A swollen and painful synovial structure

Lameness – this can vary from mild to severe non weight-bearing lameness

Fluid leaking from a wound overlying a synovial structure

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HORSE & HOUNDView all
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Horse & Hound

'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'

Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start

time-read
2 mins  |
November 07, 2024
New pair pull off a win
Horse & Hound

New pair pull off a win

A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons

time-read
2 mins  |
November 07, 2024
Lording it over the rest
Horse & Hound

Lording it over the rest

Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season

time-read
3 mins  |
November 07, 2024
Smith hits flying form
Horse & Hound

Smith hits flying form

A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot

time-read
3 mins  |
November 07, 2024
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Horse & Hound

Jankorado hits the jackpot

Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps

time-read
4 mins  |
November 07, 2024
Peanut
Horse & Hound

Peanut

From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character

time-read
3 mins  |
November 07, 2024
She's a corker
Horse & Hound

She's a corker

Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers

time-read
8 mins  |
November 07, 2024
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
Horse & Hound

Access all areas Cavalier Centre

The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit

time-read
7 mins  |
November 07, 2024
'Use it or lose it'
Horse & Hound

'Use it or lose it'

Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity

time-read
6 mins  |
November 07, 2024
A new way forward
Horse & Hound

A new way forward

Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change

time-read
3 mins  |
November 07, 2024