Surgical Conditions of the Equine Foot Flashcards
Runs from the distal 1/3 of the cannon bone to mid-P2
DDFT
How much of P2 is contained within the hoof (distal to the coronary band)?
1/3
The T ligament is the junction between what structures?
Coffin joint synovial capsule, navicular bursa, DDFT
What keratolytic bacteria is responsible for thrush?
F. necrophoum
What causes thrush?
Manure/urine accumulation in sole dissolves frog sulci
What does thrush predispose to?
FB penetration, lameness
What predisposes to thrush?
Poor env hygeine, contracted heels, individual predisposition
What leads to contracted/sheared heels?
Poor hoof care/trimming and lack of exercise
What hardening products can you use to treat thrush?
Copper, idodine
10% benzoyl peroxide + acetate + metronidazole
How much bacteria is present in a thrush wound?
10^11
Colonization of poor quality horn by bacteria and fungi
White line disease
Bacteria and fungi only affect keratinized tissue
White line disease
What factors predispose to white line disease?
Nutritional deficiency, damage to hoof wall, excessive dry or wet environment
What is the “hollow” hoof of white line disease caused by?
Loss of bond between hoof wall and sole
How is white line disease usually diagnosed?
Incidental finding @ trimming
What are radiographic differences between laminitis and white line disease?
WLD = more radiolucent, closer to hoof wall, extends all the way to the ground
How can you re-establish stability of a white line diseased hoof?
Artificial hoof or rest
Why must the keratinized tissues of the hoof be intact to place an artificial hoof?
Exothermic reaction will kill sensitive lamina if exposed
Are horizontal or vertical hoof wall cracks more problematic?
Vertical
What direction do horizontal hoof wall racks run?
Parallel to coronary band
What causes horizontal hoof wall cracks?
Trauma or severe abscess
Do horizontal hoof wall cracks require treatment?
Not usually
Damage to coronary papillae causes what?
Disrupted horn produciton
What are the main contributors to vertical hoof wall cracks?
Abnormal hoof angles, poor shoeing, long shoeing intervals
How are vertical hoof wall cracks named?
Based on location (toe, quarter, heel, bar)
What are the two types of vertical hoof wall cracks and which will present with lameness?
Superficial vs full thickness (lameness)
Why might instability of a full thickness vertical hoof wall crack cause pain?
Pinching of sensitive lamina
How do you manage full thickness vertical cracks?
Correct underlying predisposing factor
What treatment can you do to decrease pressure on the coronary band?
Bar shoe + sole pad
Soft tissue mass between the hoof wall and P3
Keratoma
Where do keratomas originate?
Coronary band
What causes a keratoma?
Local inflammation and trauma create scar tissue that develops and grows distally
90% of keratomas are assoc. w/_______
Abscessation
Is a keratoma neoplastic?
No
What radiographic change can you see with a keratoma?
Lysis of P3 @ toe
How will the coronary band appearance be affected by a keratoma?
Bulging coronary band
Semi-circular radiolucent defect of P3
Keratoma
How do you treat a keratoma?
Complete surgical removal
What is the success rate of a keratoma removal?
80%
What part of the hoof should you leave intact when removing a keratoma to keep limb stability?
Most distal 1cm of hoof wall
How long does it take the horn to cover a surgical defect in the wall or sole?
Several months
Why must a keratoma patient be rested for a month prior to being rehabbed?
Allow keratinized tissue to regrow
Infection in the sensitive lamina
Hoof abscess
How lame will a horse with a hoof abscess be?
4/5 or 5/5
What causes a hoof abscess?
FB or sole bruise (more common)
Why is lameness so severe with hoof abscesses?
Swelling of the hoof capsule (cannot expand) = increased pressure
How do you treat a hoof abscess?
Pair sole @ white line and drain
What do you soak/flush a hoof abscess with?
Hyperosmotic solution
Why will topical tx or abx have decreased efficacy against a hoof abscess?
pH of abscess is very low/acidic
Will you need abx for hoof abscesses?
Not usually
Often assoc. w/pedal osteitis and bone sequestrum of P3
Chronic abscess
Why are puncture wounds so severe?
Deep seeding of infection
What kind of environment results from a puncture wound and why?
Horn contracts and seals quickly to create an anaerobic env.
Where do you do a synoviocentesis for cytology sample of a puncture wound?
Navicular bursa
How do you distend the centesis site and why?
LRS to assess for leakage from inside out
Sole bruise
Aseptic pododermatitis
Reddening of the sole
Aseptic pododermatitis
Sometimes shows thin soles on rads
Aseptic podermatitis
Is there drainage assoc. w/aseptic pododermatitis?
No
How do you treat aseptic pododermatitis?
Soft rides, sole padding, NSAIDs
