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  Discussion on Hoof Lameness - Question about diagnosis
Author Message
Member:
Allenpor

Posted on Friday, Aug 15, 2003 - 9:17 am:

My 4 year old filly is very lame (I'd say 4 out of 5) in one front leg. I suspect this lameness has been progressing over a week or more, but the weather has prevented me from observing/riding.

My primary vet is on vacation and not able to see her until next week. Two days ago, I called a local vet to look at her. This vet immediately diagnosed a hoof problem, and said there was some heat, a stronger digital pulse in that foot and a positive on the hoof testers. (I couldn't feel heat or pulse.) The vet recommended calling the farrier and having the shoe removed, suspecting that an abcess was forming.

The farrier came right away, removed the shoe, and there was no evidence of any bruising or abscess. He did not get any significant positive on the horse testers either.

Three days have now past since the shoe was removed, and the filly is still very lame. Wouldn't you suspect a lameness this severe would get a VERY positive on the hoof test and would be noticeably warm???

At this point, I am waiting for my vet to get back from vacation. What can I do anyway? I don't see anything suspicious in the leg.

I guess my question is: Can a horse be incredibly lame and not show a strong positive on hoof testers?

p.s. Yes, I have read all your articles on Diseases of the Hoof
Member:
Dommay

Posted on Friday, Aug 15, 2003 - 9:24 am:

Hi there,
I would expect the filly to show something with the testers if this lame. I have a yearling who recently stocked up in both rear legs and was super stiff. He has Mud Fever; scratches; or dew poisoning as it is referred. His swelling is down but still sore on the feet. Check your filly to see if there are any scabs behind the pasterns. If not, I can't wait to hear what this may be.
Thanks and good luck!
Member:
Presario

Posted on Thursday, Aug 21, 2003 - 1:20 pm:

From what you describe I'd suspect an abcess. And yes, they can have a nasty abcess and not react at all to hoof testers. It wouldn't hurt, and can surely help, to start soaking as if it is an abcess.
Member:
Vhascup

Posted on Friday, Aug 22, 2003 - 8:24 am:

Dear Marion: Your situation sounds very similar to what I am experiencing at the moment. My Morgan gelding came up lame suddenly. He tripped outside, then came up lame. He never before has had any lameness issues. He never trips; he is extremely sure footed. I called the vet, who tested the foot with hoof testers, and he said the right foot was tender at the toe; there was a slightly stronger pulse. Left foot was fine. Diagnosis was a stone bruise. We did the regime of soaking, poulticing, and bute for 5 days, at which time he was no better, but not worse. The vet said to give it time, these things can be frustrating. Bottom line, he became suddenly worse, and the emergency vet came out; no pulse or heat in the right foot, but the frog was very tender. He though perhaps Navicular disease, but wanted the shoe pulled, x-rays, and then corrective shoeing, which we did. Bottom line, founder in the right foot, with significant rotation of the coffin bone. He was started on bute, banamine and isoxuprene. The next day he was significantly worse, and now the left foot was involved. He is still unstable at this point. Without the x-ray we never would have known it was founder. His symptoms were not typical, although I suspected founder, the vets did not. I wish you luck in diagnosing you lameness.
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