Bog spavin report published
A survey conducted by Martin Weaver and Laura Wilant of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies has suggested that owners of Clydesdale horses need to be more aware of the causes of bog spavin.
The survey looked at the commonness of bog spavin and how owners of Clydesdale horses deal with it. The survey, conducted in both the UK and the USA, indicated that 10% of the 935 horses show signs of bog spavin, a problem affecting the chronic fluid distension of the hock joint.
The owners' approach to the condition in the UK indicated nearly half of the affected horses were not investigated at all and with just 12.2% receiving radiographic examination. However, in the USA over 75% of horses received some investigation and 37.7% of affected horses underwent radiographic examination.
It is believed some of the cases of bog spavin identified in the survey could be due to undetected osteochondrosis. The authors argue that if more owners knew about the possible causes of bog spavin they might be more likely to investigate and therefore identify those horses with osteochondrosis. Arthroscopic surgery could then be offered to appropriate cases to reduce the risk of this condition.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
