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Discussion on Cut through coronary band & into hoof
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Member:
Lanna1
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Posted on Monday, Dec 15, 2003 - 4:24 pm:
DrO,
What is the prognosis of a horse who has a cut through their coronary band & into the hoof that produced a significant crack into the hoof as well?
My yearling filly cut the entire length across the back of her front right hoof which severed one of the arteries. Because she was bleeding out & I wasn't certain that my tight wrap was successful in stopping the bleeding I had to take her to my local Vet clinic. (Against my better judgement)
Needless to say, the wrap had stopped the bleeding & they were able to proceed with stitching the wound. They also suggested we cast her leg because of the constant movement and flexion of the area it was highly susceptible to blowing the stitches.
I've never had to cast any of my horses before, but their logic seemed to make sense, as I have had the experience of stitches blowing apart!
We stitched her & put her in a cast from below the knee to half way down her hoof.
She became completely non-weight bearing on that leg during the 6th day - so back to the clinic we went to have it removed.
My confidence is low with this particular Vet clinic (if I'm allowed to discuss this online) because of past experiences of mis-diagnosis & mis-treatment of horses...
They were attempting to cut the cast off & used what seemed to be extreme force with the "saw" which I was readily informed WOULD NOT cut the skin, but it was designed to cut the cast with vibration...
Once the cast broke apart on one side the blood came RUSHING through at the fetlock joint! They assured me that it was simply from "nicking" the bad cast sore that was created from the cast which was causing the discomfort which is why she went non-weight bearing.
Once the cast was finally removed you could CLEARLY see a cut line from below the cast all the way down the length of the leg, through the coronary band and into the hoof - on both sides of her leg!
Now I was left dealing with the severe cast sores along with the fear of this slice down her leg and into her hoof.
The sores have mostly healed now but the cut into her hoof is approx. an inch from hitting the ground and I'm worried about the effect of her weight with that significant of a split. Will she lose her hoof from the point of the split back to her heel?
I noticed that the cut down each side of her leg only resulted in cutting through the coronary band on the outside of her leg. So I'm certain the inside of her hoof will be okay - there is only a hairline cut through that side of the hoof.
Also, I've heard stories of continual improper hoof growth if there's significant injury to the coronary band - is this true?
I'm planning to take this filly with me to the Vet this coming weekend as well, he's familiar with what happened & I'm hoping to get a second opinion from my trusted out of town Vet (he's also aware of some of the situations that have been dealt with with our local Vet)
My other question is this: This filly's right leg also appears significantly larger than her left, more so around the fetlock joint and through the pastern.
Of course, the cast sores were on either side of her fetlock joint and just below the cast line which was slightly below the knee - her original injury was to the back part of her foot from pawing at wire & pulling her foot back.
Any information on this matter will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Lanna in BC
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Dec 16, 2003 - 6:05 am:
Clean, sharp cuts through the coronet have a good prognosis of healing with good care. The hoof wall will be functional though there may be irregularity in the hoof wall that grows out here. With good quality care and healing it may be little more than a narrow ridge.
We really cannot assess the significance of the swelling from here, it depends on the cause. We presume it is either infection of one of the wounds or pressure damage to a soft tissue structure but without looking at it, it is hard to say more.
DrO
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Member:
Christos
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Posted on Tuesday, Dec 16, 2003 - 8:23 am:
You need to consult a competent farrier, Lanna, and, of course, your vet.
There are many different ways to support such a cut so that the two "parts" of the wall do not move independently and worsen the situation.
Packing the hoof, a full pad, a light glue-on shoe and fiber/epoxy reinforcement are relatively simple and effective, but only a good farrier and a vet that have seen the injury can tell you what is the best way to go.
Sure thing is that it will take months to recover completely, so think long term rather than temporary treatments.
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Member:
Lanna1
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Posted on Tuesday, Dec 16, 2003 - 10:44 am:
Thanks DrO & Christos,
I will be taking this filly to my Vet this coming weekend to get his opinion & I plan to have my farrier out as well. I was just looking for input in the meantime & I thank you for that.
Though I should clarify on the concern of the size of the injured leg - it's not swollen, it is actually larger than the other one. This isn't proud flesh/scar tissue - it simply appears larger all the way around?!?
I'm thankful to here that the cut through the coronary band should heal completely, that's a huge relief!
As for the concern with the hoof splitting farther once it hits the ground, I'm sure my farrier and Vet will help me with that as far as what type of product will work the best.
DrO, you mentioned "proper treatment" with the cut to the coronary band. What should I be doing with that?
Thanks again for your suggestions,
Lanna in BC
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Dec 16, 2003 - 7:53 pm:
Lanna see, » Equine Diseases » Skin Diseases » Wounds: First Aid Care.
DrO
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Dec 16, 2003 - 7:57 pm:
For information on taking care of the wound see, » Equine Diseases » Skin Diseases » Wounds: First Aid Care.
DrO
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Member:
Lanna1
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Posted on Wednesday, Dec 17, 2003 - 11:32 am:
 Thanks DrO,
I'm heading to that topic now!
Lanna in BC
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