Ciência Rural (Dec 2007)

Exame clínico e radiológico do terceiro metacarpeano em potros Puro Sangue de Corrida em treinamento Clinical and radiographic evaluation of the third metacarpal bone in 2-year-old thoroughbred horses in raining

  • Flávio Gomes de Oliveira,
  • Karin Erica Brass,
  • Flavio Desessards De La Corte,
  • Carolina Roxana Greig,
  • José Henrique Souza da Silva,
  • Carlos Antonio Mondino Silva

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782007000600030
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 37, no. 6
pp. 1701 – 1707

Abstract

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A avaliação clínica e radiológica do terceiro metacarpeano (McIII) de 42 potros Puro Sangue de Corrida de dois anos de idade, em treinamento, realizou-se a cada 15 dias. Vinte e cinco potros foram acompanhados durante dois meses e 17 durante os quatro meses anteriores a sua participação na primeira corrida. Nas radiografias (projeção lateromedial), foram avaliadas o córtex dorsal (CD) do McIII e a espessura do CD, do córtex palmar e da zona medular para determinação do índice radiológico (IR). Não foram observadas alterações radiológicas no CD do McIII nos potros que manifestaram periostite metacarpeana dorsal (PM) aguda. O aumento tanto do CD, como do IR, entre as avaliações foi significativo (PThe third metacarpal bones (McIII) of 42 2-year-old thoroughbreds in training were evaluated clinically and radiologically every 15 days. The evaluation was performed during 2 and 4 month, prior to the first race of 25 and17 horses, respectively. X-rays were taken using latero-medial projection. Dorsal cortex (DC) was evaluated on the X-rays and DC, palmar cortex and medular zone were measured in order to determine the radiologic index (RI). No radiographic changes were observed on the DC of the McIII of horses clinically affected by dorsal metacarpal disease (DMD). There was a significant increase (P<0.05) in DC thickness and RI between evaluations of both, healthy and DMD affected McIII. DC thickness also showed a significant increase between affected and not affected McIII. A larger increase in DC thickness was observed at evaluation before the one in which DMD was diagnosed. In conclusion, the increase in DC thickness could be used as a diagnostic tool for early recognition of DMD allowing adoption of preventive measures.

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