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  Discussion on Diagnois Help Pls. - Lameness in the foot (I think) -
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 12, 2002 - 2:51 pm:

A 7 year old warmblood just purchased one month ago has bi-lateral front lameness. His thorough pre-purchase exam showed good front leg and navicular radiographs. Flexion tests and palpations were all negative. Horse also passed a European vet (before importation) with flying colors as well.

The horse was shod 4 days prior to the lameness. Was ridden three days in a row after getting shod, and was very sound. Lameness is obvious at the walk (stilted/short strided) and right front is worse than left.

Farrier was called back today to examine and found no heat (used the light sensor) and nothing really significant on hoof testers. This horse was lame on right front a few months ago (before I bought him) and was said to have had a bruise and became sound after brief stall rest.

The day the lameness was noticed, I was riding him. It became apparent while making a corner at the trot. It felt like the right front stepped in a hole; then he went sound until the next corner. I have experienced this before a couple of times, but attributed it to the indoor ring footing getting packed in his foot. This horse is not turned out and only worked indoors.

Does this sound like a foot problem? I am in a quandary about how to proceed. I can't speak with my vet until Tuesday. Personally, I don't think it is a bruise or a farrier mistake. I think it is something obscure, but what I don't know. Would you advise a scintigraphy for this? What are your thoughts? Thank you.

Posted on Sunday, Jan 13, 2002 - 12:05 am:

Hello Marion,
It does sounds like it might be a foot problem and acute onset bilateral front limb lameness is likely to be one or a combination of problems on the list below:
1) cut too short
2) shoes fitting poorly
3) bilateral bruising
4) founder
It will take an examination for a correct diagnosis however. As to whether scintography should be used it strikes me as a bit early to draw out the elephant guns but when your vet gets out and looks you will know more.

In the meantime see, Equine Diseases: Lameness: Foot and Sole Problems: Problems Following Shoeing or Trimming for suggestions on diagnosis and first aid treatment. I would also consider the treatment recommedations for mild founder, from here I cannot be sure that is not the problem.
DrO
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