P‐80 Clinical aspects of chronic progressive pastern dermatitis in Belgian draft horses

Abstract

Chronic progressive pastern dermatitis is a condition characterized by progressive swelling, hyperkeratosis and fibrosis of the distal limbs. The clinical entity has been recognized in adult Shires and Clydesdales. To our knowledge, there is only one reported case in Belgian draft horses. Here we examined 14 Belgian horses from 6 months to 9 years of age for the presence of chronic progressive pastern dermatitis. All distal limbs were shaved and clinically examined. Skin scrapings of the pastern region were taken. One adult and six foals had no clinical signs. One foal and one adult had one thick skin fold at the rear of the pastern region. In the foal, the lesions were limited to the front limbs. Three adults had two or more thick skin folds extending to above the fetlock. Two severely affected adults had general firm swellings that extended up to the carpal and tarsal joints. They had multiple dermal nodules and small well‐demarcated ulcerations, some of them covered with adherent crusts. The skin folds were numerous, surrounding the entire pastern region. Five of the adults and four of the foals had chorioptic mange. In conclusion, chronic progressive pastern dermatitis is a common finding in these 14 Belgian horses. Mild lesions were already present in one foal. It is unclear whether the chorioptic mange plays a role in the onset or the exacerbation of the condition. Funding: Equine Research Funds, University of Ghent.