When a veterinarian suspects a horse’s joint is infected, but it is not practical or feasible to obtain a joint fluid sample, he or she should consider using ultrasound to image the joint. Alex Young, BVSc, of the University of California, Davis’ William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital made this recommendation during a presentation at the 2010 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention, held Dec. 4-8 in Baltimore, Md.

Synovial sepsis, or infection of a synovial structure such as a joint in a horse’s limb, is common in equine practice.

"Properly diagnosing the condition can be challenging, particularly if the horse has a laceration or cellulitis (a diffuse bacterial infection of the skin and associated tissues) because synoviocentesis, or a ‘joint tap’ (and subsequent examination of the joint fluid), can be difficult or even contraindicated in these situations," said Young.

In these cases, an ultrasound examination is a worthwhile endeavor