Treatment with continuous intrasynovial antimicrobial infusion for septic synovitis in horses: 31 cases (2000-2003)

OBJECTIVE-To determine clinical findings, complications, and outcome of septic synovitis in which continuous intrasynovial antimicrobial infusion (CIAI) was used for local antimicrobial delivery in horses. DESIGN-Retrospective case series. Animals-22 adult horses and 9 foals (horses<1 year of age). PROCEDURES-Records of horses with septic synovitis that had CIAI during treatment were reviewed. The association between clinical variables and whether horses performed their intended use following treatment was determined. RESULTS-42 synovial cavities were treated via CIAI. Twenty-nine cases were chronic (>7 days) in nature, 15 had been refractory to standard treatments, and 13 synovial infections had associated osteomyelitis. Mean duration from infection to initiation of CIAI was 19.7 days, and mean duration of CIAI was 6.1 days. Temporary discharge from the catheter site at the time of removal was evident in 8 horses. Dysfunction of the infusion system occurred in 2 horses and was corrected during the course of treatment. No long-term complications were reported. Thirty-nine (93%) synovial infections in 29 (94%) horses were resolved. Twenty adult horses and 8 foals were discharged from the hospital, and 19 of 24 horses with long-term follow-up performed their intended use. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE-CIAI was a useful adjunctive treatment for septic synovitis and allowed intrasynovial antimicrobial delivery into a variety of synovial cavities.