Juvenile osteochondral conditions in yearling thoroughbred racehorses

In Brazil, the equestrian industry generates about US$ 4.0 billion per year, employs around 610,000 people directly and indirectly, and involves about 5 million horses. The state of Parana in southern Brazil is the second largest breeding center of Thoroughbred (TB) racehorses in the country. Thoroughbred racehorses have a great number of regions in the musculoskeletal system that could potentially encounter problems requiring veterinary medical attention, which can affect their performance and limit their sports career. Among them, joint diseases are particularly important and may occur during skeletal development (osteochondrosis and bone cysts) or because of excessive acute impact or repetitive strain resulting from training and racing. Juvenile osteochondral conditions (JOCCs) encompass osteochondrosis, avulsion fractures of the ossifying epiphyseal or metaphyseal bone, and physitis in young horses.

This study demonstrates the prevalence of radiographic findings related to JOCCs in Brazilian TB yearlings. Most of the radiographic findings observed in the TB weanlings were maintained or worsened as yearlings, but there were a few improvements and even resolutions. 

Mais uma pesquisa realizada no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal (PPGCA), da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), disponível na íntegra em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.102997