Oct2012_DAYBORO VETERINARY SURGERY
On Lameness in Horses:
Ella Dean is a beautiful thoroughbred mare that we recently went out to see because she was lame. She showed obvious signs of pain when pressure was applied to her hoof with hoof testers. Rasping across the sole revealed a distinct black track at the toe, which upon paring back with a hoof knife revealed an abscess.
Ella Dean is a beautiful thoroughbred mare that we recently went out to see because she was lame. She showed obvious signs of pain when pressure was applied to her hoof with hoof testers. Rasping across the sole revealed a distinct black track at the toe, which upon paring back with a hoof knife revealed an abscess.
Hoof abscesses are a common cause of lameness in horses in this area, particularly after rain when the ground is wet. This creates the perfect opportunity for infection to enter the hoof, forming a pocket of pus. The resulting pressure causes severe pain.
Ella Dean’s abscess was drained, a poultice applied and she was given some pain relief. Usually this would be enough but Ella Dean didn’t improve right away as expected. We did an X-ray at the farm to get a better picture, so to speak. Lucky we did, because what appeared to be a straight forward hoof access turned out to be far worse. The infection ran a lot deeper and had involved the bone. This is a rare but serious complication of infections in the hoof, and can start from something simple like seedy toe or a routine hoof abscess.
To complicate matters, Ella Dean was in foal (putting extra weight on her sore foot) so we didn’t want to float her more than was absolutely necessary. Being able to X-ray her in her stable meant less stress for her and a quicker diagnosis meaning a quick change in her treatment and a more rapid recovery. It took a couple of weeks of regular bandage changes (lots of pus!) and lots of antibiotics but Ella Dean’s lameness resolved and that nasty bone infection was under control.
Everyone is happy to see Ella Dean sound and cantering around in the paddock, and we are excitedly awaiting the arrival of her foal.
Whether it is a paddock pony or a performance horse, if you suspect you have a lame horse please contact us at the Dayboro Vet Surgery and our specially trained vets are happy to discuss this with you.
Dayboro Veterinary Surgery
125 McKenzie Street
Fax: 07 3425 1107
Email: dvs@uq.edu.au
Website: www.dayborovet.com.au
Ella Dean’s abscess was drained, a poultice applied and she was given some pain relief. Usually this would be enough but Ella Dean didn’t improve right away as expected. We did an X-ray at the farm to get a better picture, so to speak. Lucky we did, because what appeared to be a straight forward hoof access turned out to be far worse. The infection ran a lot deeper and had involved the bone. This is a rare but serious complication of infections in the hoof, and can start from something simple like seedy toe or a routine hoof abscess.
To complicate matters, Ella Dean was in foal (putting extra weight on her sore foot) so we didn’t want to float her more than was absolutely necessary. Being able to X-ray her in her stable meant less stress for her and a quicker diagnosis meaning a quick change in her treatment and a more rapid recovery. It took a couple of weeks of regular bandage changes (lots of pus!) and lots of antibiotics but Ella Dean’s lameness resolved and that nasty bone infection was under control.
Everyone is happy to see Ella Dean sound and cantering around in the paddock, and we are excitedly awaiting the arrival of her foal.
Whether it is a paddock pony or a performance horse, if you suspect you have a lame horse please contact us at the Dayboro Vet Surgery and our specially trained vets are happy to discuss this with you.
Dayboro Veterinary Surgery
125 McKenzie Street
Fax: 07 3425 1107
Email: dvs@uq.edu.au
Website: www.dayborovet.com.au
