Septic tenosynovitis secondary to porcupine quills in a horse: case report

Authors

  • Isadora Kleinubing da Silva Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária
  • Juliana de Moura Alonso Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8664-5963
  • Emanuel Vitor Pereira Apolonio Universidade Estadual Paulista. Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7403-1203
  • André Lucio Fontana Goetten Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6276-2882
  • Giulia Canale Medeiros Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0651-0955
  • Guilherme Alberto Machado Clínica Veterinária Guadalupe
  • Renan Felipe Parizotti Clínica Veterinária Guadalupe
  • Pablo Antônio Machado Bitencourt Clínica Veterinária Guadalupe
  • Giuliano Moraes Figueiró Federal University of Espírito Santo image/svg+xml https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9264-748X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1678-4456.bjvras.2026.244404

Keywords:

Digital flexor tendon sheath, Horse, Porcupine, Tenography, Tenoscopy

Abstract

Digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) tenosynovitis represents one of the most prevalent tendon sheath disorders in horses. Its occurrence as a consequence of accidents involving porcupines is relatively uncommon. Therefore, this paper aims to report the case of a mare who had sustained multiple puncture wounds in the hind limb, resulting in septic tenosynovitis of the DFTS due to an accident with a porcupine. The mare was referred to an equine hospital, exhibiting grade 4/5 lameness (American Association of Equine Practitioners scale) and effusion in the DFTS region. The ultrasound examination identified a porcupine quill within the DFTS, while contrast tenography corroborated the diagnosis of a synovial fistula. The quills were surgically removed via tenoscopy. Postoperative antibiotic therapy was conducted via systemic administration, intravenous regional limb perfusion, and intrasynovial medication into the DFTS. This report contributes new information and images, which are useful for the diagnostic and treatment approach.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

American Association of Equine Practitioners. Guide to veterinary services for horse shows. 7th ed. Lexington: AAEP; 1999.

Beccati F, Gialletti R, Passamonti F, Nannarone S, Di Meo A, Pepe M. Ultrasonographic findings in 38 horses with septic arthritis/tenosynovitis. Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2015;56(1):68-76. https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.12183. PMid:25046562.

Bonilla-Gutiérrez AF, López C, Carmona JU. Regenerative therapies for the treatment of tenodesmic injuries in horses. J Equine Vet Sci. 2019;73:139-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2018.12.010.

Cender AN, Mählmann K, Ehrle A, Merle R, Pieper L, Lischer CJ. Diagnosis and outcome following tenoscopic surgery of the digital flexor tendon sheath in German sports and pleasure horses. Equine Vet J. 2023;55(1):48-58. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.3856. PMid:35822486.

Colahan PT. Equine medicine and surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Mosby; 1999.

Daoust PY. Porcupine quill in the brain of a dog. Vet Rec. 1991;128(18):436. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.128.18.436-a. PMid:1853545.

Fraser BSL, Bladon BM. Tenoscopic surgery for treatment of lacerations of the digital flexor tendon sheath. Equine Vet J. 2004;36(6):528-31. https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044877396. PMid:15460078.

Frees KE, Lillich JD, Gaughan EM, DeBowes RM, Frees KE, Lillich JD, Gaughan EM, DeBowes RM. Tenoscopic-assisted treatment of open digital flexor tendon sheath injuries in horses: 20 cases (1992–2001). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002;220(12):1823-7. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2002.220.1823. PMid:12092956.

Garcia da Fonseca RM, Evrard L, Rabba S, Salciccia A, Busoni V. Dynamic flexion/extension and non-weight bearing ultrasonography is helpful for identifying manica flexoria tears in horses. Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2019;60(1):65-74. https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.12675. PMid:30121953.

Gillis C. Soft tissue injuries: Tendinitis and desmitis. In: HinchcliffKW, Kaneps AJ, Geor RJ, van Erck-Westergren E, editors. Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery. Missouri: Elsevier; 2004. p. 412-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-7020-2671-3.50024-6.

Honnas CM, Schumacher J, Cohen ND, Watkins JP, Taylor TS, Honnas CM, Schumacher J, Cohen ND, Watkins JP, Taylor TS. Septic tenosynovitis in horses: 25 cases (1983-1989). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1991;199(11):1616-22. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.1991.199.11.1616. PMid:1778749.

Kent AV, Chesworth MJ, Wells G, Gerdes C, Bladon BM, Smith RKW, Fiske-Jackson AR. Improved diagnostic criteria for digital flexor tendon sheath pathology using contrast tenography. Equine Vet J. 2020;52(2):205-12. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13166. PMid:31429480.

Lescun TB, Vasey JR, Ward MP, Adams SB. Treatment with continuous intrasynovial antimicrobial infusion for septic synovitis in horses: 31 cases (2000–2003). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2006;228(12):1922-9. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.228.12.1922. PMid:16784387.

Lopes MAF, Sullins KE, Walker BL. Tenoscopy in 33 horses with septic and nonseptic digital tenosynovitis (1997-2001). J Equine Vet Sci. 2006;26(1):27-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2005.11.013.

Lugo J, Gaughan EM. Septic arthritis, tenosynovitis, and infections of hoof structures. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2006;22(2):363-88, viii. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2006.03.005. PMid:16882480.

Magee AA, Ragle CA, Howlett MR. Use of tenoscopy for management of septic tenosynovitis caused by a penetrating porcupine quill in the synovial sheath surrounding the digital flexor tendons of a horse. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1997;210(12):1768-70. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.1997.210.12.1768. PMid:9187727.

McIlwraith CW, Nixon AJ, Wright IM. Endoscopic surgery in the management of contamination and infection of joints, tendon sheaths, and bursae. In: McIlwraith CW, Nixon AJ, Wright IM, editors. Diagnostic and surgical arthroscopy in the horse. St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier; 2015. p. 407-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-7234-3693-5.00014-X.

McIlwraith CW. Diseases of joints, tendons, ligaments and related structures. In: Stashak TS, editor. Adams’ lameness in horses. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2002. p. 459-79.

Miagkoff L, Archambault M, Bonilla AG, Miagkoff L, Archambault M, Bonilla AG. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bacterial isolates cultured from synovial fluid samples from horses with suspected septic synovitis: 108 cases (2008–2017). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2020;256(7):800-7. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.256.7.800. PMid:32176585.

Ortved KF. Regenerative Medicine and Rehabilitation for Tendinous and Ligamentous Injuries in Sport Horses. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2018;34(2):359-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2018.04.012. PMid:29803299.

Park RD. Diagnostic Imaging. In: Stashak TS, editor. Adams’ lameness in horses. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2002. p. 153-276.

Pilati N, Pepe M, Gialletti R, Moriconi F, Beccati F. Septic tenosynovitis caused by porcupine quills: clinical and diagnostic findings, treatment, and long-term outcome in seven horses. J Equine Vet Sci. 2015;35(4):321-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2015.01.012.

Schneider RK, Bramlage LR, Moore RM, Mecklenburg LM, Kohn CW, Gabel AA. A retrospective study of 192 horses affected with septic arthritis/tenosynovitis. Equine Vet J. 1992;24(6):436-42. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1992.tb02873.x. PMid:1459056.

Schramme MC, Smith RKW. Diseases of the digital flexor tendon sheath, palmar annular ligament, and digital annular ligaments. In: MW Rosse, SJ Dyson, editors. Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse. 2nd ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2010. p. 764-76.

Tannahill VJ. Diagnosis of digital flexor tendon sheath conditions in the horse. UK-Vet Equine. 2021;5(1):24-31. https://doi.org/10.12968/ukve.2021.5.1.24.

Thünker F, Oosterlinck M, Vanderperren K, Martens A. Langetermijnresultaten van tenoscopische behandeling van letsels in de sesamschede: een retrospectieve studie van vijftig paarden. Vlaams Diergeneeskd Tijdschr. 2019;88(1). https://doi.org/10.21825/vdt.v88i1.16039.

Wereszka MM, White NA 2nd, Furr MO, Wereszka MM. II NAW, Furr MO. Factors associated with outcome following treatment of horses with septic tenosynovitis: 51 cases (1986–2003). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007;230(8):1195-200. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.230.8.1195. PMid:17501662.

Downloads

Published

2026-08-25

Issue

Vol. 63 (2026)

Section

CASE REPORT

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

The journal content is authorized under the Creative Commons  BY-NC-SA  license (summary of the license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0 | full text of the license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/legalcode) 

How to Cite

1.
Silva IK da, Alonso J de M, Apolonio EVP, Goetten ALF, Medeiros GC, Machado GA, et al. Septic tenosynovitis secondary to porcupine quills in a horse: case report. Braz. J. Vet. Res. Anim. Sci. [Internet]. 2026 Aug. 25 [cited 2026 Sep. 17];63:e244404. Available from: https://revistas.usp.br/bjvras/article/view/244404