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Discussion on Dry, flaky hoof at the coronary band
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Member:
Valerieg
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Posted on Thursday, Feb 27, 2003 - 5:14 pm:
My TB gelding's left hind hoof looks rather dry and flaky at the coronary band. I see he is growing new hoof on his hind feet - but the left hind doesn't look the same as his right. It looks somewhat stringy in composition - this is the new growth. He had a cut on his left ankle about 2 months ago - which got somewhat infected. He had a very warm hoof for a few days (that's when I found the cut). I treated the cut for about 2-3 weeks until it finally seemed to heal and cool off consistently (End of Jan-early Feb). It would be very warm one day - cool the next. He is presently stall bound (broken knee diagnosed in Dec). His only exercise while recuperating is a walk every day. His shoes were pulled in mid-Dec and has been barefoot since.
His diet is mainly hay. He gets about 1/2 lb of oats per day supplemented with rice bran, Platinum Performance, MSM, and cosequin. Since it is not bilateral, I don't think it is diet related. Could this be some kind of a fungus?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 1, 2003 - 12:55 pm:
It could be Anette, but then again it might not be. I have seen coronet infections characterised by flaky skin, hair loss and a irritated appearance to the skin. But I wonder if the treatment of the wound last month just left the skin dry?
DrO
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Member:
Valerieg
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 1, 2003 - 1:20 pm:
His cut was on his pastern - just below his ankle. The cut is fully healed and the skin is fine. It's the composition of the hoof wall itself-approximately the top quarter of the hoof. In looking at his RH hoof, it is present there as well - only a smaller section. The amount of growth could very well indicate the change due to his diet that I started 3 months ago. Prior to this change, his diet was hay, oats and Cosequin. I reduced his oats, added MSM and Platinum Performance since being stall bound. Since he is not getting out and getting his feet dirty - could this generally be normal hoof material that is growing?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 2, 2003 - 7:37 am:
As stated above, it could be but then again it might not be. Without looking at the hoof I cannot make these type judgements Annette. If the skin of the coronet looks OK then this is probably the result of the environment on the horn as it was being formed and it is still logical that your treatment of the wound above the hoof, effected the appearance of the horn and now that area has to grow out. If you are uncertain as to the reason and significance of these changes, and there is nothing in your posts to tell me what this might be, you should get your vet out to look at this.
DrO
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Member:
Valerieg
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 4, 2003 - 9:55 am:
Thanks for the advice - I'll have my vet take a look.
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