Stelzfuß- und Bockhufbehandlung mit Oxytetracyclin

Congenital flexural limb deformitie and clubfoot treatment with oxytetracycline: A retrospective study about effectiveness and risks of this treatment method The aim of this study was to evaluate effectiveness and risks of the intravenous application of high doses of oxytetracycline (3g) for the treatment of congenital flexural limb deformities and clubfoot via a survey including equine practioners. We want to give a review how widely used is this treatment method in veterinarian hospitals and practices. For this reason, a questionnaire was created and sent to veterinarians at different institutions. The following data were collected: number of treatments with different protocols as well as success, side effects and practicability of the treatments. In the surveyed period 2009 to 2010, 61 cases of congenital flexural limb deformities and 51 cases of clubfeet were diagnosed in a total of 1215 examined foals. The results indicate that the treatment of congenital flexural limb deformities and clubfeet with intravenous application of high doses of oxytetracycline has superseded conservative treatments and is now widely used in veterinarian hospitals and practices. It has been highly effective and there was no adverse reaction to the drug noticed. Conservative treatment yielded very good and good results, too. The findings of this study are in agreement with studies performed in the 70`s and 90`s (ZELLER u. HERTSCH 1976; PHILIPP 1991). So far, it could not be determined which treatment protocol had the lowest possible risk for the foals but conservative treatments also are not without risks. However, the treatment of foals with high doses of oxytetracycline has still to be seen critically from different aspects. Although it represents an useful alternative for the treatment of congenital flexural limb deformities and clubfoot, it cannot yet be recommended without limitations. Therefore, more studies are necessary to determine mechanisms of action, possible risks and benefits of high doses of intravenous oxytetracycline.