## Overview Bog spavin is effusion of the tarsocrural joint, appearing as soft swellings around the hock that communicate when pressed. Causes include osteochondrosis, osteoarthritis, trauma, or poor conformation. It is common in performance horses. Mild cases may cause little lameness. Chronic joint disease worsens the outlook. ## Causes Joint inflammation from developmental disease, trauma, or strain. ## Diagnosis Clinical appearance and radiographs or ultrasound to identify the underlying cause. ## Treatment Rest, anti-inflammatories, and joint injection for inflammatory cases. Address osteochondrosis lesions surgically if present. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good for mild idiopathic effusion. Guarded when significant osteoarthritis is present. ## Prevention Early treatment of hock inflammation.
soft swellings around the hock that communicate when pressed; variable lameness; may indicate osteochondrosis or arthritis
## Overview Bog spavin is effusion of the tarsocrural joint, appearing as soft swellings around the hock that communicate when pressed. Causes include osteochondrosis, osteoarthritis, trauma, or poor conformation. It is common in performance horses. Mild cases may cause little lameness. Chronic joint disease worsens the outlook. ## Causes Joint inflammation from developmental disease, trauma, or strain. ## Diagnosis Clinical appearance and radiographs or ultrasound to identify the underlying cause. ## Treatment Rest, anti-inflammatories, and joint injection for inflammatory cases. Address osteochondrosis lesions surgically if present. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good for mild idiopathic effusion. Guarded when significant osteoarthritis is present. ## Prevention Early treatment of hock inflammation.
soft swellings around the hock that communicate when pressed; variable lameness; may indicate osteochondrosis or arthritis