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  Discussion on Lame after hoof injury
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New Member:
dani1980

Posted on Sunday, Apr 26, 2009 - 11:37 pm:

I'm new to horseadvice but have always referred to this site for information. I've just recently become a member. I have a almost 8 year old quarter/draft cross. After a trail ride back in january, she came back bleeding from her front left foot around the coronet band injury. I assumed she had just cut herself out on trail. Well after cleaning the wound I thought she'd be okay. The next day she was really lame on that foot. Fast forward to the vet coming out 3 weeks later. He said there was something in it and did some minor surgery cutting through the hoof wall and pulled out pieces of stick/twig. There was a heat for quite some time and she was still lame. There is still a hole in her hoof from the surgery (been working it's way to the bottom) Now she seems to be sound as of recent but in the last week or so has had some on/off lameness on that foot. Don't know if dirt could of gotten in and irritated it? I keep it pretty clean. Any suggestions or if anyone has had anything similar. Is the lameness normal after looking sound?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Apr 27, 2009 - 10:14 am:

Welcome Danielle,
Thanks for joining and supporting this project. Some may not realize we receive 2000-3000 unique visitors daily and 90,000 unique visitors last month (based on IP addresses). As we have about 3000 members most of the time we obviously get lots of visitors.

Is it normal? No, but it is not unusual for there to be some continued access to sensitive tissue by low grade infection. Particularly with the prolonged period before treatment. Symptoms would be similar to a low grade (draining) foot abscess and if this is the cause stepping up the cleaning and protection might prevent further episodes. For more on all this including recommended care see, Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Wounds / Burns » Coronary Band Injury. I have just upgraded this article to help folks with the problems you describe.
DrO
New Member:
dani1980

Posted on Monday, Apr 27, 2009 - 12:33 pm:

Dr.O, thank you so much for your quick reply. I really appreciate it. I just looked at the article on keeping her wound clean. I have been covering it w/ a bandage and duct tape while I have her out of her stall. The wound is open and uncovered when she is in her stall. The vet had said to let air get to it to heal. My farrier had asked me if the vet wanted him to patch it and close it, this was 6 weeks ago, at that time the vet still said no let air get to it. After I take the bandage off, I have been hosing the wound and washing w/ betadine. Do you think I should have my farrier patch it? In the article you said to use neosporin, should I just rub some on the inside of the hole and leave exposed or should I be wrapping her hoof while in her stall?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 28, 2009 - 8:26 am:

To help you answer these questions you have remember the goal: to keep the defect clean and dry until it grows out. The Neosporin is only used when sensitive (bleeding) tissue is exposed. If if can stay clean and dry in stall by all means let it "air out". I would be slow to patch it as this is sometimes a prescription for setting up a wall abscess. If the farrier is very experienced with the procedure or it can be done with the assistance of the veterinarian it would be one way to deal with it.
DrO
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