Posted by Gary on April 08, 2004 at 22:24:15:
In Reply to: Re: Yearly Abcess in Front Feet posted by Jay on April 08, 2004 at 05:14:25:
: : I have an 8 year old running QH gelding that is keep in pasture year round. It first occurred last year during the first week of April (Spring up here in Manitoba, Canada). He came up very lame on his front right side. There was some swelling in the fetlock, but no heat or any indications of trauma to the sole of the foot. About 2 days later, an abcess burst at the cornary band. The lameness cleared up, and about a week after he was fine. About 2 weeks later, he became abruptly lame on his left front. Again, after 2-3 days, and abcess burst at the cornary band. Again, no heat or indications of trauma. At no time were the soles of either front feet overly sensitive to pain. The horse is trimmed regularly and feet are in good shape. There was no change in his feed or the environment he was in. After 2 weeks, he was fine except for the scars of the abcess that had to grow out. Now, almost an exact year (within a few days)after last years abcess, he became abruptly lame on his front right side. Again, and abcess has broken at the cornary band. Same as before, no signs of any trauma. I will wait and see if it happens to the left side. Has anyone every heard of such a thing! The vet has no idea what the problem is and has found no problems with the foot itself. At a loss as to how to stop this from happening. Any suggestions or experiences with this? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks very much for checking this out.
: Sounds like "gravel"=(similar to quittor)=an infection within the hoof capsule. With gravel it is believed a small piece of sand or gravel enters thru the white line and travels upwards and breaks out at the cornary band as you have described. Quittor involves the lateral cartilidges and is extremely painfull. Either or and it requires antibiotic use. At this time of year what type of new plant growth is the horse exposed to? Plus wetter conditions, softer hooves ect... as well as an old abcess tract.
: Best of luck and explain this condition to your farrier and Vet
: Jay
Jason, does this horse paw quite abit with that one foot? I have a client that has a colt that paws the ground digging all the time, and you know he gets gravels all the time also. Just wondering? Good Luck! Gary