Foot penetrations (Yr 4)

Question 1

what direction do hoof cracks usually run?

Answer 1

proximo-distally (with horn tubules)

Question 2

what are transverse cracks for the hoof wall associated with?

Answer 2

coronary band injury

Question 3

what are some possible sequelae of hoof cracks?

Answer 3

forces lead to further separation causing infection and pain

Question 4

how are hood cracks treated?

Answer 4

characterise depth/direction (is it effecting sensitive tissue?)
farriery - debride, filler to stabilise, trim and shoes
treat underlying causes and antibiotics if infected

Question 5

why is severe haemorrhage common with hoof injuries?

Answer 5

digital cushion is highly vascularised (lot of blood flow to the foot)

Question 6

what structures are a concern with laceration/overreach injuries to the hoof?

Answer 6

coronary band
DIP/PIP/NB/DFTS
DDFT/SDFT/extensor tendons/collateral ligaments

Question 7

what do you need to consider when treating lacerations/overreach injuries of the foot?

Answer 7

close by secondary/primary intention - size, contamination…
preserve coronary band as best as possible
antibiotics, NSAIDs
flush synovial structures
casting/bandage to protect and prevent movement

Question 8

what is the DIP joint known as?

Answer 8

coffin

Question 9

what is the PIP joint known as?

Answer 9

pastern joint

Question 10

what are the two penetrating injuries associated with shoeing?

Answer 10

nail bind
shoeing prick

Question 11

what is nail bind?

Answer 11

nail of shoe placed close to sensitive structure causing mild lameness

Question 12

what is shoeing prick?

Answer 12

nail places into sensitive structures of hoof causing immediate pain/bleeding and can develop into an abscess

Question 13

what are the clinical signs of a subsolar abscess?

Answer 13

severe acute lameness
increased digital pulse
increased hoof temperature
sensitive to hoof testers

Question 14

how are subsolar abscesses treated?

Answer 14

drainage!!
poultice (magnesium sulphate)
bandage when draining
tetanus prophylaxis
NSAIDs/antibiotics if required

Question 15

where is the impar ligament found?

Answer 15

between navicular bone and P3

Question 16

what are some possible underlying causes of chronic hoof abscesses?

Answer 16

insufficient drainage
immunesuppression
keratoma
sequel to laminitis
bone sequestrum/collateral cartilage infection
infective osteitis

Question 17

what is quitter?

Answer 17

infection of collateral cartilages

Question 18

what is the typical cause of quitter?

Answer 18

trauma/wound (leads to swelling and chronic discharge from coronary band)

Question 19

what is a keratoma?

Answer 19

benign tumour of the hoof or solar horn

Question 20

how does a keratoma appear on radiographs?

Answer 20

smooth radiolucent defect in P3

Question 21

what are the main clinical signs of a keratoma?

Answer 21

chronic intermittent lameness with discharge and abnormal area of keratinisation

Question 22

what is canker?

Answer 22

chronic hypertrophy of germinal layer of frog epithelium often linked with Fusobacterium necrophorum (causes a hyperkeratotic horn)

Question 23

how can canker be treated?

Answer 23

improve environment
debride topical formalin and metronidazole
may need surgery

Question 24

what is white line disease?

Answer 24

progressive crumbling and poor hoof quality with separation at the white line

Question 25

what factors can contribute to white line disease?

Answer 25

warm, wet weather
zinc/selenium/biotin deficiency
(secondary bacterial infection)

Question 26

how is white line disease treated?

Answer 26

remove abnormal horn then support remaining horn with bar shoe and hoof acrylics
(prevent progression with feed supplements and environmental modification)