Page 278 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

Variable degrees of lameness. Many ponies and donkeys develop seedy toe which does
• not cause lameness but is discovered by the farrier during routine trimming. As the

VetBooks.ir separation becomes more extensive, the animal may experience tender feet. Others
become acutely lame a day or two before pus bursts out at the coronary band if an

abscess has formed.
• Sensitivity to hoof testers in the region where an abscess is forming.

• A discharge of pus from the coronary band.

• If there is significant separation, the overlying hoof wall will sound hollow when tapped.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is usually made on the clinical signs. If the condition is extensive, radiographs
may be taken to assess the degree of separation of the hoof wall from the laminae. This also

allows any changes to the pedal bone or its position within the hoof capsule from previous
bouts of laminitis to be assessed.

Treatment

The key to successful treatment is prompt and adequate attention as soon as the condition is
diagnosed. If the condition becomes chronic, extensive areas of hoof wall may be

undermined. This means the weight of the horse will be supported by a considerably reduced
number of laminae resulting in inflammation and lameness. Rotation of the pedal bone can

occur.
• Any underlying conditions or predisposing factors should be treated. Long toes should be

trimmed and in previously laminitic animals, the foot should be trimmed to restore a
parallel relationship between the front of the hoof capsule and the pedal bone.

• As the separation is usually widest near the ground surface and narrows towards the

coronet, it is often necessary to remove a portion of the hoof wall to allow access to all of
the diseased tissue.

• All the dirt and any abnormal material are removed. In many cases, this is sufficient and
no medical treatment is necessary.

• Any pus should be drained and all infected horn removed. When infection is present, the

exposed insensitive laminae should be treated topically with a suitable hoof disinfectant.
• Once any infection has been dealt with, the foot should be kept clean and dry.

• A heart bar shoe may be used to provide support in cases where extensive areas of hoof

wall have been resected. As many of these lesions occur at the toe, a shoe with a squared