A withers fistula refers to any disease of the horse's withers that is accompanied by inflammation and fistula formation.
The withers are located between the shoulder blades and represent the transition from the cervical to the thoracic spine of the horse. The nuchal ligament, which runs from the back of the horse's head along the cervical spine towards the horse's back, begins here. The withers are made up of the spinous processes of the front thoracic vertebrae, which can be up to 30 cm long. At the highest point of these processes, the withers are covered by a bursa, which cushions the movements between the tendons and bones.
The cause of inflammation in the withers area is often poorly fitting saddles or harnesses, which lead to permanent irritation of the bursa. Even the smallest wounds, bruises, or punctures can cause these inflammations to become infected and lead to abscesses or fistulas. Depending on the location of the fistula, prolonged inflammation can lead to necrosis (tissue death) of the neck ligament, fascia (connective tissue), cartilage caps, and bony ends of the spinous processes.
At the onset of the disease, only slight swelling in the withers area is usually observed. In some cases, the lymphatic vessels appear as circular patterns on the surrounding skin. As the disease progresses, purulent discharge may emerge from fistula openings on the sides of the withers and run down the chest wall. This results in hair loss and weeping skin inflammation. Affected horses show signs of severe pain in the area of the inflammation and difficulty in moving their front limbs.
In most cases, the veterinarian can make a diagnosis based on the clinical symptoms and your preliminary report. By probing the fistula canal, the veterinarian can get an initial impression of the extent and location of the fistula.
However, to determine the exact location and course of a fistula, it is necessary to fill the fistula with a contrast agent and then perform an X-ray examination. The X-ray image can also be used to determine whether any bone structures have already been affected.
Treatment depends on the extent and severity of the disease. In most cases, local rinsing and cleaning treatments are combined with the general administration of high-dose antibiotics. In order to provide targeted treatment, the choice of the right antibiotic should be determined by an antibiogram (a laboratory test to determine the sensitivity of microbial pathogens to antibiotics) if possible.
In severe cases and those that do not heal with conservative therapy, surgical intervention may also be necessary. The fistula is opened and cleaned using special incisions.
The chances of recovery depend greatly on the extent of the disease and the time of diagnosis. Superficial fistulas with only minor tissue changes usually heal with consistent and intensive treatment, whereas deeper fistulas involving the fascia (connective tissue) or pocket formation often do not heal completely even after intensive treatment lasting several months.
If the pus-causing bacteria are washed away with the blood, life-threatening general infections and extensive organ damage (e.g., pneumonia) can further worsen the prognosis.
Thanks to a much greater awareness of the importance of a well-fitting saddle or harness, withers fistulas are much less common today than in the past. Have the fit of your saddle or harness checked regularly by a specialist to prevent pressure points or chafing around the withers. In the event of open wounds or punctures in the withers area, it is advisable to refrain from using a saddle, lunging girth or harness for a certain period of time to prevent additional irritation and allow injuries to heal without complications.
Birds such as budgies, beos, and parrots can not only learn to talk, they are also capable of performing small tasks. With enough patience and a few training tricks, humans and birds can have a lot of fun together. And the results are often impressive!
Inflammation of the testicles and epididymis, which usually occur together and are medically referred to as orchitis and epididymitis, are rare but can lead to reduced or even complete infertility in stallions.
Leptospirosis is a contagious infectious disease of dogs that is widespread worldwide and can also be transmitted to humans, which is why it is also referred to as a zoonosis. This bacterial disease was first discovered in dogs in 1852. Almost half a century later, it was observed at a dog show in Stuttgart, which is why it was initially called Stuttgart dog disease. In Germany, leptospirosis is a notifiable animal disease.
Both dogs and cats can have allergic reactions to certain ingredients in their food. This causes the immune system to overreact to certain ingredients in the food. Between 1 and 5% of all allergic skin diseases in dogs are caused by food allergies. Animals of all breeds and ages are affected. As in humans, an increase in allergies can also be observed in dogs and cats.
To the left and right of the anus, dogs have two anal sacs, which contain the anal glands. The foul-smelling secretion produced by these glands is collected in the anal sacs and serves as the dog's individual scent mark, which is released with each bowel movement. Inflammation of the anal sacs can be very unpleasant and painful for dogs.
Lip chewing, medically known as cheylitis, describes a common condition in domestic guinea pigs characterized by weeping eczema around the lips and corners of the mouth, which in advanced stages can spread to the mouth, nose, and entire face.
The puppy has moved in and everyone is thrilled! This is an exciting time, when your new family member has a lot to discover and learn. Of course, as a new dog owner, you also have a responsibility to ensure a good start to a happy future together. One of the most important tasks is to house-train your dog as quickly as possible.
When a cat is in heat, it can be exhausting for the people who live with her, because she will suddenly change completely. However, her instinct to mate also causes her distress.
Scintigraphy uses substances labeled with weak radioactive isotopes to visualize pathological changes in the body. The image produced is called a scintigram.
Dental disease is one of the most common reasons for visits to the vet for both rabbits and guinea pigs. Since their teeth grow throughout their lives but are not sufficiently worn down in their current living conditions, pathological changes to the teeth often occur.
Ectropion is a malposition of the eyelid that mainly affects the lower eyelid. The outer edge of the eyelid is turned outward and hangs down, which is why it is also referred to as a "drooping eyelid." This malposition prevents the eyelid from closing normally, leaving the eye permanently slightly open.
Tracheal collapse is a condition in dogs that causes the windpipe (trachea) to collapse. It mainly affects small breeds such as Yorkshire terriers, miniature Spitz, poodles, and Pekingese. The condition often manifests itself in the first few months of life, sometimes with severe breathing problems.
