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  Discussion on Can hoof re-grow after complete hoof sluff
Author Message
New Member:
Lcopps

Posted on Thursday, Dec 4, 2003 - 2:52 pm:

I have a 12 year old mare. When she about 4 years old, she coliced and kicked through some pipe fencing causing a significant amount of muscle and tendon damage to the inside of her rear right leg. She has not been used since that time. Several years ago, my sister, who raised her, gave her to my daughter after the mare and my daughter developed a close bond.

About 3 weeks ago, she developed some lameness in her back leg. There was swelling in the area around the coronary band and maybe 4 to 6 inches above. The initial vet exam said there was an abcess and we began the epsom salt soaking, treating with betadine and wrapping and giving her Tucoprim. After about a week, the swelling suddenly increased around the hock and it now appears certain she is going to sluff her entire hoof. She developed a large (about the size of a silver dollar) hole in the sole at her toe.

We had a second vet come check her today and he radiographed her. He says the navicular bone is completely degenetated and there is about a 2 inch subluxation between the coffin bone and the pastern. He also believes that when the hoof sluffs it will tear almost all the coronary band off as well. His recommendation is to euthanize her. I am not at the point to give up if there is any hope of her being able to grow a new hoof.

I understand that this involves a long term commitment. Is there any hope you can give?
Lonnie
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Dec 5, 2003 - 8:43 am:

Hello Lonnie,
Without seeing the horse and radiographs I cannot really make suggestions. YOur descriptios don't reall provide the needed information. But I will try to shed some light here.

I have seen a hoof wall regrow following sluffing secondary to infection, but the horse went through a long bad spell that I thought was unfair to the horse. Like this horse it was a hind leg which is critical as they cannot bear weight on just one leg without foundering on the other for very long. This may still happen if the horse is heavy. I don't think he will also loose the coronet band.

However that is not the only problem you describe: you also say the navicular bone has "completely degenerated". I assume this means the bone became infected and has severe osteomyelitis. Also you don't describe a cause for the subluxation which suggests a tendon disruption. Assuming you and your vets assesments are correct and my picture is correct, I think your vets suggestion would be the most humane.
DrO
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