Conditions of the equine hoof

Question 1

What is the most common cause of lameness in the horse?

Answer 1

• sub solar abscess
  
  • ascending infection to the chorium (solar dermis)
    
    • penetrating injuries
    • nail
    • white line lesions
    • seedy toe
    • poor foot confirmation
    • muddy/ wet
    • PPID

Question 2

Treatment for subsolar abscess?

Answer 2

• DRAINAGE
• take off shoe
• pare and clean the sole
• explore any discoloured tracts in white line
  
  • POULTICE
    
    • soften the sole prior to curetting
    • allow continued drainage

Question 3

What colour pus would you see?

Answer 3

• grey/black
• no vessels between ep and dermis
• so no influx of neutrophils
• bad smell

Question 4

What is the 3rd most common cause for euthanasia?

Answer 4

• laminitis
• after colic and chronic lameness