Deep Bulb Thrush

[mares of epona]

For several months, my boarder's 18 yo draft cross gelding has been lame in the front left. She uses a different farrier than I do. She also has to have the vet come out to tranquilize him for the farrier to even work on him. Despite this problem, both the farrier and vet have told her that the horse has deep bulb thrush. Now I know what thrush looks like and I pick out this horse's feet almost every day and have never seen thrush. I have tried to find information on deep bulb thrush but have not been able to find any. But he is in so much discomfort that he has a hard time standing on the front left. I have alot of problems trying to get him to pick up the right hoof and shift his weight to the left. We have tried soaking his hoof in a weak bleach solution for several weeks with no improvement. Recently she purchase some cream from the vet that I must administer twice a day along the sides of the frog. My boarder doesn't know what kind of medication it is.
I want to know if anyone has any suggestion of treatment or is the farrier and vet taking her for her money. I believe that it is a joint problem because I haven't seen any evidence of thrush. However she doesn't have the money to invest for x-rays. I have done all I can to treat it for typical thrush with no improvement. If there is a problem such as deep bulb thrush, what are the signs and symptoms.
Thanks
Mares of Epona

[caballus]

When you clean out the bulb do you get white, cheesy like stuff on the pick? If so, you're not dealing with thrush but with Yeast infection. Borax and water will clear that up along with correct trimming to form and function for the horse. You can also give Borax30C Homeopathic remedy to help the body get rid of the yeast that is systemic.

-- Gwen

[calshoer]

Thrush is black, liquidy and resides NOT along in the sides of the frog but would be in a deep cleft down the center.
There are some terrific photos on deep thrush here in a recent thread, (thanks Roy Amaral) showing how to pack and treat it.
As well, if the foot is not balanced correctly, the heels not trimmed back enough for the frog to function well, or the toe long, the thrush will never get better because the horses heels and frog will not function correctly.
Also if the horse has other lameness issues such as serious sidebone or ringbone , his foot may not function correctly and the thrush may never go away. It can be managed though. I am a little bit suspect about the diagnosis since the vet is having you treat alongside the frog....not really the right place for thrush. The dark stuff you pick from alongside the frog is usually just normal "barn goo" that turned black in there overnight.
Patty

[mares of epona]

I have never found anything other that typical dirt and manure while cleaning out his feet. His feet also do not give off an odor. I have never watched her farrier work on him but his feet look well trimmed. Wouldn't the vet pick up on sidebone or ringbone?

[mares of epona]

Today I re-evaluated his hoof and found the deterioration of the central sulcus. Roy's pictures really helped. I'm upset that I have wasted so much time and medication applying it the wrong way. I cleaned out the frog with a syringe of peroxide and re applyed the medication and packed it out. However, I'm a little concerned about all the bleach soaking we have done. My boarder was suprised when I showed her Roy's pictures, especially the contrast of his directions.

[caballus]

Remember that all the meds and all the cleaning will not help if the hoof is not trimmed up properly so the heels can decontract. Once the hooves are trimmed, that, alone, will help rid the system of the bacteria or yeast.

--Gwen