Posted by Jenni MacPhail on March 23, 2003 at 13:15:17:
I have a 10 year old Lipizzan gelding who's been fighting canker for about a year (we think much longer, he had severe "thrush" before I got him that was put into remission with epsom soaks). 2 days ago he was diagnosed with Phemphigus, which is an autoimmune skin disease than can manifest in the coronary bands. The canker is still there in all 4 feet but he recently started oozing and bleeding from the coronary bands. In retrospect, he had a couple periods of coronary bands oozing last year too, I think when the canker was really flaring up.
The vet (also a CJF) feels the horse now has hoofrot, not canker, and that the primary problem is the Phemphigus. We're going to treat with Bluestuff topically (frogs and heel cracks) but if the coronary bands don't clear up, she'd like him to have some xrays. The coronary stuff is creating a separation at the top of the hoof, which makes me pretty nervous.
Has anyone out there seen this and how was it treated? Any ideas appreciated!!!!!!
Jenni in AZ