This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Thrush »
  Discussion on Thrush in front heel
Author Message
Member:
Skeller

Posted on Saturday, Apr 19, 2003 - 11:09 pm:

I need some suggestions on treating thrush in the heels. We purchased Cody last year. He does have small feet, came with contracted heels and deep sulcuses, and is prone to thrush. He’s in a stall, with shavings. The stall is cleaned daily and kept dry. He is also on Biotin Plus (1/2 dose which has 25 mg biotin). And currently has on plates, no pads. Right now I’m not allowing my daughter to bathe or spray him off. (she tends to focus on scrubbing his white legs which is the one thing I want to keep the water away from).

He’s been treated for thrush for about 9 months. I’ve tried using preparations with formaldehyde as suggested in the article. This has been successful in clearing up two of his feet.

What bothers me most is where the thrush is. In his front foot, it is more in his heels than the sulcus (I’m thinking the reason it’s cleared up in the sulcus is that it’s easier to treat). On one side the crack goes up from the back of the sulcus to within ¼ “ of the band.

I don’t believe the farrier can par out tissue in the heel area (or can he?). So I really can’t tell if sensitive tissue is exposed (the frog is ok). Cody does exhibit some tenderness one feet, but not drastic when we try to dig into these areas. (mostly just less pulling his foot away). I’m thinking it might not be exposed, but pretty near.

FYI, as I regularly apply thrush buster, every 2 – 3 days, the area is not oozy. If I do get anything out of the crack it is black, but does not smell like thrush. More just like old frog tissue.

I’m wondering if I should switch to betadine or chlorhexidine as mentioned in the article. Should I use any packing material in the cracks (as some people mentioned in the articles.) I’m also worried that if I dig excessively it will make the crack worse.

Another related question, we walk down two gravel hills to the outdoor arena (leading him) so I would like to put a thin pad on him. I’m thinking about asking the farrier to do this and cut out the area around heel and sulcus. But I’d really like to get this cleared up first so I don’t create another place for the bacteria to hide.

Thanks a bunch for your help and suggestions.
Member:
Skeller

Posted on Sunday, Apr 20, 2003 - 8:40 am:

After my long post I forgot to ask my intial question! Should we be applying the thrush buster more frequently? (I saw where chlorhexidine and betadine are daily). I was worried about drying the area out too much and causing more cracks. We initially did take Cody's shoes off to see if his feet would expand. However he developed some splits on the side of his heel, outside back corner (not the middle where the thrush is). We put the shoes back on to stabilize it and it's almost grown out. I plan to take the shoes off again in October but feel I need to keep them on right now since he walks on gravel to get to the ring. I considered boots but thought they'd contribute to keeping the moisture in even though they'd be on a short period. Also I figured that one reason for the "black" crud from this area is because of the purple thrush buster! Thanks! SK
Member:
Mindy

Posted on Sunday, Apr 20, 2003 - 8:48 am:

I've used Kopertox with success. I don't know if you have tried that. It is what my farrier recomends. Also once a week or so in the wet months as a preventative.
Member:
Dres

Posted on Sunday, Apr 20, 2003 - 10:21 am:

i have a mare that has one front contracted hoof that is a bear to keep from getting thrush... when i first got her she was off on that hoof becus of the deep thrush in the cliff of her frog, it seemed to be all the way to the bone...

anyway what i was told was to pack it daily with a benedine/splash of coppertox solution...the packing made the tight area open and breath better thus healing...

i was told that the thrush buster and some other products were caustic on healthy tissue so this was not a good idea, as we are hoping for healthy tissue...

i stuck to this routine, and after a very long wet winter she healed.... but... i do have to pack her every now and again to keep the frog open or it will start again...

hope this helps..
Ann
Member:
Skeller

Posted on Sunday, Apr 20, 2003 - 1:12 pm:

Thanks Ann and Mindy.
Ann what type of packing material did you use? Gauze pads?
Member:
Mwebster

Posted on Sunday, Apr 20, 2003 - 3:54 pm:

My gelding used to have recurrent thrush in just his left front foot -- he'd had a very bad case in that foot 14 years ago when his prior owner got him, and until maybe 3 years ago it would reappear when the weather got very wet and the paddocks got muddy.

I tried all the thrush stuff, and Thrush Magic worked the best. I also soaked that foot using ClearTrax from Equine Technologies Inc., 416 Boston Post Rd., Sudbury, MA 01776-3016
Phone (978)443-8078.

I haven't seen any evidence of thrush since then. Can't say for sure it was the ClearTrax, but it's gone! Note, the company that makes it insists you treat the other feet too, strip the stall, disinfect the aisle, etc. -- I never did any of that "extra work". I figure the spores are in the environment, and that would be a huge and impossible task.

Melissa


Member:
Dres

Posted on Sunday, Apr 20, 2003 - 9:47 pm:

SK, i used old t-shirts, clean ones, i have tons of them so i just cut them up in strips and used for packing or tack cleaning, tail braids.. you name it, they get used for it... after packing i just threw the strip away...

the key to getting rid of the thrush is AIR.. so pack it daily and let the frog open some.. it works..

Ann
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Apr 21, 2003 - 7:02 am:

Hello SK,
I am trying to picture this from your description and if I understand this right the crud is coming from the cleft between the bulbs of the heels that are close together because of the contraction?

You could try applying the formaldehyde more often but if this area is closed up and trap moisture you will always have to be vigilant about recurrence. Also the rest of the foot that the formaldehyde runs on to my become very hard. Packing does help as Ann states. As long as the formaldehyde is placed on horn you do not have to worry about its caustic properties.

If frequent treatment is continued to be needed you could try something milder and more pleasant to work with to see if it too might help.
DrO
Member:
Skeller

Posted on Monday, Apr 21, 2003 - 11:03 am:

Yes, you are correct Dr. O, the crack is in between the bulbs of the heel.
Hmm this is starting to make sense.
My guess is that the Thrush Buster which has formaldehyde is contributing to the cracking in this area since it's soft/leathery tissue instead of horn. And Ann is right, we really need to get some air in that area. I'll go ahead and switch to betadine or chlorhexidine daily (any better success with one than the other or should I alternate?)with the packing. T-shirt materil is a a great idea. I've got plenty of those!
Member:
Skeller

Posted on Friday, Apr 25, 2003 - 6:33 pm:

I've got the chlorhexidine but thought I'd alternated some with the betadine a week. I went to the feed store and accidently got Tincture of Iodine. OOPS. I just now realized my problem. Can I cut the Iodine with something or should I return it and buy the Betadine/Providone Iodine.

THANKS again for the help. The packing is really helping to open up the crack in the heels. I hadn't realized it was quite as deep as it was. I'm so glad we caught it before he started being lame.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Apr 26, 2003 - 8:36 am:

Since the skin is unbroken you could use the iodine I think.
DrO
Member:
Skeller

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 9, 2003 - 9:05 pm:

Just an update. Ann your solution worked like a charm! The packing was the key. (I was embarrassed and amazed at how the crack opened up and how deep it was). Anyway, I've stopped packing his feet about 3 weeks ago but continue to treat about 3x week with iodine or chlorhexidine. The farrier feels the thrush is gone. Thanks again. Sandi
Member:
Scline

Posted on Friday, Oct 24, 2003 - 12:22 pm:

Could anyone describe exactly how the foot is packed? I'm a very novice horse owner. Also, what product has the least amount of "sting" to it?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Oct 25, 2003 - 12:18 pm:

Hello Susan,
The best way to pack may depend on the conformation of the bottom of the foot. Above Ann describes packing a horse with a deep cleft in the sulcus: the cleft alone held the sulcus. Betadine is the least stinging but this is described in the article.
DrO
Member:
Skeller

Posted on Saturday, Oct 25, 2003 - 11:31 pm:

Susan, here's what I did. Use something that you can easily pick out of the hoof (old t-shirts like Ann, I used pieces from an old flannel sheet). I cut them into pieces about 2 x 3 inches. It really depends on how big the crack is. I really like the hoof picks with the brush on one end. Be sure to pick the crack as clean as you can and remove all loose debris.

First, I put whatever I was using at the time (betadine or chlorhexidine)in the crack. Then I placed the material on the pick so that the point was in the middle, stuck this in the crack and then folded and stuck in the edges. packing it with the pick until it looked like nothing was going to fall out. Like Dr. O says, the crack held the material in place. I felt that if it opened up enough to where the stuff fell out, things were going good.

Cody's feet are still doing great. We are not trail riding right now (since it's hunting season) so I'm going to take his shoes off next trim. I've been applying thrush buster about once a week now, but only on the frog. The cracks haven't reoccured in his heels. I hope this helps.

This does take a bit longer than just cleaning the foot so some horses get impatient. Cody didn't like a spray bottle so I put the stuff I was using in a bottle that I could squirt(like an old dishsoap bottle).
Let us know if you have more questions.
New Member:
Ramonah

Posted on Friday, Dec 12, 2003 - 4:53 pm:

Do you wash the feet with water before applying the betadine and packing? My farrier wants me to wash my horses feet out daily with a brush, to remove all dirt. Wouldn't the constant wet dry hurt his feet?

My horse is stalled 20 hours a day, and turned out for four. Turn out is a covered arena (I live in Western Washington).
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Dec 13, 2003 - 9:17 am:

I would just use a brush to clean out all the dirt and forget the water.
New Member:
Hobbs1

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 - 9:02 am:

My horse is prone to thrush..came w/it, I am trying to stay on it. Right now he has problem in deep cleft and frog. I am cleaning area daily and using Cefa-Lak packed w/cotton at night while in stall.Is it ok to use Chlorhexadine in the a.m before turnout? Don't want to Undo any tx benefits. Or should I use the Cefa-Lak b.i.d? I would really like to get rid of this recurring stuff..his stall is kept dry,w/ clean shavings but this time of yr. in North AL it's wet..I pick and dry feet daily thanks. L.
New Member:
Cletus

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 - 12:37 pm:

We use chlorox (50%) to pour over loosely packed cotton in the cleft of the frog. Let soak for a couple of minutes. Repeat daily and in a couple of weeks you will have a frog that is relatively hard, and clear of thrush. Daily cleaning, and paring of the dead tissue is important, as are dry ground/stable conditions.
New Member:
Hobbs1

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 - 12:52 pm:

Thank you.I'll give it a try..I am meticulous w/his feet, stall and turnout, but occasionally this happens. I had gathered from other discussions that bleach can be too caustic,perhaps not
Member:
Lilly

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 - 2:51 pm:

I thought I would throw in my treatment here. I thoroughly clean the hoof with a pick, rinse with a diluted bleach solution, and then pack the cleft of the frog with cotton that has been rolled in Biozide Gel. I have to purchase the Biozide Gel from the vet. I live on the East coast of Virginia and it's really wet and muddy here.

Ann
New Member:
Hobbs1

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 - 3:16 pm:

Thanks Ann,i'll try that. I have also been told to try boric acid powder packed into sulcus w/cotton moistened w/Absorbine..makes sense just wonder if anybody has had good results.The Biozide will be good..certainly less expensive than using cefa-lak or Today
Member:
Frances

Posted on Thursday, Jan 26, 2006 - 2:53 am:

We use copper sulphate crystals dissolved in water (in plastic bottle only). Soak a small piece of cotton in the solution and try to pack it into the sulcus with a hoof pick. If it stays in for 15 mins, that's great, but even just painting the solution onto a well-cleaned frog works well. Once-daily application for two days (or three if really necessary) is enough, otherwise the effect can be too drying/hardening.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jan 26, 2006 - 7:18 am:

Hobbs which ever treatment you use I would stick with it and not mix different therapies. Our suggestions for treatment are in the article, Equine Diseases » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Thrush.
DrO
New Member:
Hobbs1

Posted on Thursday, Jan 26, 2006 - 8:15 am:

thanks guys..,guess there are so many indians and not enough chiefs,so to speak, that I was somewhat confused..i appreciate the help..after reading all the info here,and the article... I will just have to be more vigilant during the wet weather,,since that seems the culprit here.L.
Member:
Angel77

Posted on Saturday, Feb 18, 2006 - 4:41 am:

To all,

Two years ago I took on a 28 yr old mare who was lame on 2 maybe 3 legs. She had many problems most of which were superficial. Except for the Cushins disease.

She had no frogs in any of her 4 feet that were thrush ridden for many years. She had bar shoes for years on all 4 feet. I personally have never seen any horse with bar shoes on the hind feet. When she came to me she was barefoot and in the worst condition possible.

I started with her stall a 24X48 open pipe corral 1/4 covered bedding it with several bags of dry stall then on top of that 32" of cedar wood chips(that I got for free from our local tree trimmer) and on top of that 5-6 bags of shavings to ensure a dry environment for her feet.

Every day I applied Thrush Buster sometimes twice daily. A couple of shoeings later the thrush stopped and her frogs began to grow.

In addition, the people taking care of her before me were over feeding her Senior Equine by 3 times the amount.

I am surprised she did not founder. Her feet would crumble away when I would carefully pick them twice daily.

I cut the sweet feed by 1/3 which helped to harden her feet almost immediately. I also added Focus SR(a senior supplement) which seemed to help grow her feet out more quickly.

Proper shoeing, diet and lots of tender loving care brought back this sweet old mare to 98%-99% sound.

She now has 4 fully grown frogs. She also now wears regular shoes. The transformation has been amazing.

She loves children and can now carry anyone under 75lbs (without a saddle-just a very thick bareback pad)of course mostly walking with a couple times around the arena at a trot.

I have always followed the mantra of no foot no horse. There is hope, just keep up the vigilant attention to proper foot care and you should be on your way to better feet in no time.

I can see from your posts you are doing everything possible. Keep up the good work.

Good luck,

WTG
New Member:
Hobbs1

Posted on Saturday, Feb 18, 2006 - 8:15 am:

You're right..keeping up w/the feet is the important part..rain or shine. I ended up using an antibiotic for mastitis packed w/cotton and daily flush w/chlorhexidine.once a week w/1:1 mix formalin and betadine in wet weather..also found the Farrier's Formula to have a major impact on frog growth..my guy's 16,like people, good nutrition helps all the body..thanks for the story,sometimes ya think Ur the only one w/the problem!! LH
New Member:
klboso

Posted on Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 10:30 pm:

Soak his feet with Clean Trax (Clorpactin). You can buy it in most catalogs now. A pain in the butt because you need to soak each foot for about 40 minutes and then put plastic bags to hold fumes in for another 30 minutes. Takes patience but works wonders. Perfectly safe to use - non-necrotic. Most thrush remedies are necrotic. The fungus that isn't killed thrives on dead tissue.

Good luck.
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC