Posted by DeDe on May 22, 2003 at 21:34:26:
Someone recommended treating my horses severe (in my opinion, probably moderate in a professionals opinion)thrush with liquid Penicillin on the afflicted areas, after cleaning them, and debrasion (by a professional farrier of course).
I thought that thrush was an anerobic infection, comparable to a yeast infection? And in that case, it wouldnt make sense to treat it with Penicillin.
Unless, I am misinformed.....Is thrush microbial? Bacterial? Fungal? I know its not viral! Thats all I know for sure
I have been described as "fanatical", "obsessed" and "hardcore" about my horses hooves! I pick the darn things out twice daily, and treat them once daily.
I bought this horse around 9 months ago and rescued him from a neglectful situation.
I have had hoof problem after hoof problem with him. He had severe thrush, that was addressed with my first blacksmith immediately, where he used iodine crystals to eradicate it. He warned me that I would continue to have problems with it, and needed to keep to a antithrush regimen (which I have).
Anyway, every time it rains the darn horse gets thrush. I use that purple "Thrushbuster", when I believe there is thrush.
When I dont see (or smell) something nasty there, I still use a toothbrush to scrub his hooves with a mild bleachin soap, to clean out any and all crevices.
Sometimes, I even use a hairdye bottle (with a pointed tip) to flush suspicious areas out with hydrogen peroxide...
No matter which treatment I use, I ALWAYS make this horse stand until his hooves are dry. AND I make sure his stall is immaculate (well, as clean as possible for a 1200 pound poop machine).
He ususally gets it at the top of the frog, near the bulb of his heel, and it makes the bulb seperate. I have had the vet out to inspect it and showed him my regimen, and he said keep it up.
Any suggestions regarding proactive prevention would be appreciated, and information concerning reactive treatment would be gratefully received!