DIAGNOSIS AND PREDICTION OF CERVICAL VERTEBRAL MALFORMATION IN THOROUGHBRED FOALS BASED ON SEMIQUANTITATIVE RADIOGRAPHIC INDICATORS

Over a period of 5 years on a central Kentucky Thoroughbred stud farm 132 foals were evaluated for the presence of cervical vertebral malfor mation (CVM). Lateral cervical vertebral radiographs were obtained on 70 standing foals. These radiographs were evaluated semi-quantitativel y and scored numerically for the presence of stenosis of the vertebral canal, enlarged physeal growth plates, caudal extension of the dorsal border of the orifice of the vertebral canal, angular fixation, delay ed ossification of bone and degenerative joint disease. From these sco res a total CVM score was given for each set of radiographs. All foals were repeatedly examined for clinical signs of neurological disease. Foals with no clinical signs of CVM had maximal total CVM scores (mean +/- sd) of 5.7 +/- 2.8 and foals affected with CVM had maximal total CVM scores of 17.0 +/- 2.8. Determination of the total CVM score was n on-invasive, inexpensive and a very accurate procedure for predicting and diagnosing the presence of CVM in Thoroughbred foals up to 1 year of age.