WLD prevention after founder

[LFEquines]

Hi Everyone, I am back and happy to report my mini-mule is healing nicely from a case of laminitis/founder back in January. She was x-rayed for the 2nd time last month, is growing out new hoof and my farrier is keeping her trimmed every 3-4 weeks. My question is: the farrier just trimmed her yesterday and said there is a gap in the white-line due to the dead laminae(sp?) growing out. He said to be real careful as the mule could develop a case of white-line disease in this critical point of healing. He mentioned that there was a special concoction/solution to keep WLD at bay, does anyone have the recipe or a product name? Thanks in advance.

[Rick Burten]

Hi Everyone, I am back and happy to report my mini-mule is healing nicely from a case of laminitis/founder back in January. She was x-rayed for the 2nd time last month, is growing out new hoof and my farrier is keeping her trimmed every 3-4 weeks. My question is: the farrier just trimmed her yesterday and said there is a gap in the white-line due to the dead laminae(sp?) growing out. He said to be real careful as the mule could develop a case of white-line disease in this critical point of healing. He mentioned that there was a special concoction/solution to keep WLD at bay, does anyone have the recipe or a product name? Thanks in advance.

Glad to hear that your mini is recovering well!

Since this gap is apparently the result of the laminae stretching and tearing, your mule will not be subject to WLD in this area. What could occur is Seedy Toe, which is treated by cleaning out as much of the infection as possible, reducing the pulling/tearing of the laminae by pushing the breakover further back, reducing the dorsal wall to remove as much of the stretched laminar connection as is possible and practicable, and by keeping the area clean, dry and generally speaking, treated with betadine or merthiolate or the like.

WLD on the other hand will occur in the Zona Alba(the innermost, non-pigmented layer of the Stratum Medium), also called by some, the water line. It is the truely white area you see just contiguous to the true laminar connection(which is for some reason called the white line though it is generally yellowish in color). Usually if a foundered horse gets WLD in the toe area, it is going to be basically removed(to one degree or another) during the trim process . I have had good luck treating minor infections of WLD with either Clean Trax or Fungidye or merthiolate. Advanced cases should be resected and treated. Which gets a bit tricky if the animal has foundered and is to be left barefoot. WLD can occur anywhere around the hoof capsule.

Rick

[LFEquines]

Thanks Rick for the information. I am quite sure my mini-mule does not have WLD or seedy toe but I sure don't want anything "popping" up while she is healing and vulnerable to bacteria/fungi in the gap area. I will keep a close eye on her, thanks again.