Prognosis

This foal has septic arthritis due to traumatic injury to the distal physeal region of the 
right metatarsus with environmental contamination. The prognosis for septic arthritis if 
caught early is good, because the animal is only two weeks old and will have plenty of 
time to recover. There is possible involvement of the cannon bone, with possibility of 
inflamed physis (physitis) or fracture. We are not certain that there is not a fracture, 
because growth plates are very large is young foals and there is less calcified bone and 
more cartilage is an immature foal. We feel that the radiographs are consistent with the 
distal growth plates of a normal immature foal, but it is possible that a fracture exists. 
Fractures are difficult to diagnose in young foals, and progression of the metatarsus with 
time and therapy will help to determine the extent of the injuries. Joint sepsis is an 
emergency, and therapy, if started immediately, will give the foal a good chance to 
recover normally.