Management Plan

	The foal will be treated with systemic antibiotics for a four to six week period 
depending on the foalÕs response to the antibiotic therapy.  We will be using a potassium 
penicillin/amikacin combination therapy.  The amikacin will be given once daily and the 
potassium penicillin will be given three times daily.  Joint lavage will be done to help 
remove the products of inflammation.  However, antibiotics will not be added to the 
solution used for the lavage in hopes of avoiding chemical synovitis which is a possible 
complication.  NSAIDs will be prescribed to limit the inflammatory response and reduce 
pain.  The foal should be kept from exercise so that the tissues can heal, but passive 
motion is important in rehabilitation of the joint and maintaining the range of motion.  
Once the infectious arthritis has resolved, we will determine if PSGAG or hyaluronan are 
necessary in the treatment of the joint.  The PSGAG is ÒchondroprotectiveÓ, while the 
hyaluronan helps to ÒnormalizeÓ the synovial fluid and limit the inflammation.