A filly born at 280 days of gestation: Management, Complications and final outcome

A mix breed filly was born after only 280 days of gestation in a spontaneous delivery. The filly was small, had a weak suckle reflex, very thin hair coat, severe tendon laxity and carpi valgus but was bright and alert and without respiratory difficulties. The filly was treated with plasma and prophylactic antibiotics and was fed via an indwelling naso-esophageal tube until she was able to suckle from the mare at the age of 2 weeks. The cause for the premature parturition was not determined, however, placentitis was highly suspected due to the apparent precocious in utero maturation of the filly that allowed for her survival without severe complications during the neonatal period. The filly consequently suffered from a traumatic fracture of the third metatarsal bone in the left hindlimb at the age of 3 weeks, which was treated conservatively with external fixation and healed. As a yearling, she developed severe degenerative joint disease in the left shoulder joint which was attributed to osteochondral changes that may have been related to her prematurity. The degenerative changes and chronic severe left forelimb lameness resulted in severe angular limb deformities in both front limbs which eventually led to the euthanasia of the filly at the age of 2.5 years. This case may suggest that severe developmental orthopedic deformities may be a late sequel of prematurity that may eventually hinder the long term survival.