The constitutional disturbances which characterize this condition vary with the degree of distress occasioned.  As the infection is virulent and causes serious destruction of the affected parts, so does evidence of malaise and finally distress appear.  Detailed discussions of symptomatology in similar conditions have heretofore been given, and further repetition is unnecessary.

Treatment.—­The same general plan of treatment which is employed for handling open joint is put in practice in these cases.  Following the preoperative cleansing of the external wound and adjacent surfaces, where liberal drainage exists, tincture of iodin is injected into the sheath, the parts covered with a suitable dressing powder, and the entire member is carefully dressed with cotton and bandages.

Subsequent treatment is the same as has been outlined in the discussion of open fetlock joint on page 112.  The same general plan of after-care is necessary.  Recovery, however, does not require so much time ordinarily, yet punctures of the sheath occasioned by nails or other small implements make for long drawn out cases of infective synovitis.

Luxation of the Fetlock Joint.

Etiology and Occurrence.—­The manner of construction of the fetlock joint is such that disarticulation without irreparable injury resulting, is practically impossible.  Logically, this joint in the fore legs (not so in the pelvic limbs) should disarticulate in such manner that either all of the inhibitory apparatus (flexor tendons and suspensory ligament) must rupture or a lateral luxation is necessary.  Lateral disarticulation must necessarily sever the attachment of one of the common collateral ligaments.  Because of the width (transverse diameter) of the articulating surfaces of this joint, lateral luxation requires a great strain; and a force that is sufficient to occasion this trauma usually causes serious additional injury.  Therefore, the condition is considered one wherein prognosis is always unfavorable in so far as practical methods of treatment are concerned.

Mr. A. Barbier[22] reports a case of bilateral luxation of the fetlock joints of the hind legs in a horse.  This was done in jumping, and the extensor tendon of each leg was ruptured and the anterior portion of the metatarsus was protruding through the skin.  Profuse hemorrhage had taken place due to tearing of the blood vessels.

Symptomatology.—­Entire luxation of this joint when present is so evident that one cannot fail to recognize the condition.  Complete disarrangement of normal relation occurs and there is either a breaking down of the inhibitory apparatus, or if a lateral disarticulation exists, the normally straight line formed by the bones of the front leg, as viewed from the front or rear, is broken at the fetlock.

Often fracture of bones are concomitant and then, of course, mobility is increased and not decreased as is the case in uncomplicated luxation.