Foot Abscesses in the Horse by Max Hannan BVMS MRCVS


commonly seen in the front feet, probably because the front feet take more weight than the hind feet. The right front foot seems to be more frequently affected but why this is remains unclear.


F Cause


Many factors play a role in the formation of foot abscesses including the environment, hoof quality and shoeing. While it is oſten thought abscesses occur more oſten in wet winter months, recent American research showed that more cases were seen during the summer months. Wet ground is thought to soſten feet and help introduce bacteria, but equally dry ground can lead to hoof cracks which can also contribute to the formation of a hoof abscess.


Abscesses occur when bacteria penetrate the outside of the hoof and enter into the more sensitive inner hoof layers. These bacteria can be introduced via a wound or a crack in the hoof, but sometimes there appears to be no apparent reason for the abscess. The bacteria set up an inflammatory response which causes the abscess to form. As the abscess grows, it exerts pressure within the hoof and becomes progressively more painful. Chronic hoof abscessation is oſten linked to an underlying condition, such as PPID (Cushings), laminitis, or infection of the pedal bone itself.


oot abscessation, or pus-in-the-foot, is a common condition of the equine hoof causing acute, non- weight bearing lameness. The condition is most


Clinical signs and Diagnosis


Signs of a hoof abscess are a moderate to severe lameness which comes on suddenly, increased digital pulses and sometimes heat in the foot.


Diagnosis is made through presenting signs and examin- ation of the foot with hoof testers. Using hoof testers to squeeze the foot, the abscess can be localised to the spot


Hoof testers being used to test for pain over the sole THE WINTER SPECIAL 2019


16


For the latest news visitwww.centralhorsenews.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92