Acta Vet. Brno 2026, 95: 135-139

https://doi.org/10.2754/avb202695020135

Morphological finding of a large osteochondral defect of the trochlea tali in a foal – a case report

Filip Korim1, Filip Koľvek2, Michaela Karamanová2, Zuzana Čriepoková2

1University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Department of Morphological Disciplines, Košice, Slovak Republic
2University Veterinary Hospital, Equine Clinic, Košice, Slovak Republic

Received July 11, 2025
Accepted June 15, 2026

Septic arthritis is the most common result of the passive transfer failure (PTF) of immunoglobulins in foals. Immunoglobulins G play an important role in foal immunity, and they are the first mechanism of protective humoral immunity. In our report, we documented a morphological finding of the PTF in a 16-day-old colt foal admitted at the Equine Clinic with onset of septic arthritis of the right tarsal joint. Due to a bad prognosis even for pasture soundness despite arthritis therapy and antibody supplementation, we decided for euthanasia. Necropsy of the limb revealed a huge osteochondral defect in the lateral talar ridge, which extended into the adjacent bone tissue.

Funding

The authors express their gratitude to all medical and supportive staff of the clinic.

References

25 live references