Osseous pathologic changes in the thoracic region of the equine
vertebral column: A descriptive post-mortem study in three breeds.
Abstract
Background: Data on equine thoracic pathology hardly exist in
other breeds than Thoroughbreds. Objectives: To
describe pathological changes of the osseous thoracic vertebral column
in Warmblood horses, Shetland ponies and Konik horses, and to compare
prevalence and severity. Study design: Descriptive post-mortem
study. Methods: Computed tomography examined the thoracic
vertebral column of 34 Warmblood horses, 28 Shetland ponies, and 18
Konik horses. Osteoarthritis (OA), periarticular osteolysis (PO),
cyst-like lesions (CLL) and fragments of articular processes (APJs),
costovertebral (CVJs) and costotransverse (CTJs) joints, soft tissue
(ST) mineralisation surrounding these joints, intervertebral disc (IVD)
mineralisation, impingement of spinous processes (SPs) and spondylosis
were scored. Results: APJ aplasia (98%; 58/ 59) occurred in 14
Shetland ponies. OA predominated in Warmblood horses across all joints
(45% vs. 29 and 32%, p<0.001). OA and PO were particularly
found in CTJs (p<0.001) across all breeds. Warmblood and Konik
horses showed more and severe ST mineralisation than Shetland ponies
(2.3%, score 1.5 and 3.2%, score 1.3, respectively, vs. 0.3%, score
0.9, p<0.01). Mid location was most often affected with
highest severity score (4.2%, 1.5, p=0.001). Konik horses displayed the
highest IVD mineralisation (20%, p<0.001), which notably
increased with age (p<0.001) compared to Warmblood horses
(4.5%) and Shetland ponies (1.1%). SPs impingement was absent in
Shetland ponies, and most prevalent in Warmblood horses (11.2%,
p=0.0004) compared to Konik horses (2.2%). CLL, fragments and
spondylosis were minimal in all breeds, nearly absent in Shetland
ponies. Main limitations: Clinical histories were unavailable.
Conclusions: Distinct breed differences exist in prevalence and
severity of thoracic vertebral column osseous pathologies. CTJ pathology
prevails over APJ in all breeds. Warmblood horses are prone to OA,
spondylosis and SPs impingement; Konik horses exhibit significant IVD
mineralisation, and Shetland ponies demonstrate high APJ aplasia
. PO, CLL, fragments and ST mineralisation are notably
low in Shetland ponies.