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  Discussion on Thrush medications with formaldehyde
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Posted on Friday, Feb 18, 2000 - 7:22 pm:

The article on thrush mentions that formaldehyde medications are more effective than the copper based ones. I've searched saddle shops and feed stores in our area, and online catalogs and am unable to locate anything appropriate (general rundown is Kopertox, Thrush X, Thrush Buster, Absorbine Thrush Remedy which all contain the Copper nap... There's something called Thrush Magic but I haven't figured out the ingredients (saw in catalog)
Can you mention a few of the products that I can look for, or is this something available only from the vet. If all else fails, where do you buy just formaldehyde.
My mare tends to have deep grooves around her frogs and just had a little bit of thrush pared out. The barn I keep her at is meticulous with stalls, I pick it in the evening, and her hoofs are cleaned daily (but she does get turned out some and it can be wet). I figure it's mostly a problem that can take hold easily due to the structure of her foot AND (confession) we did go longer than normal between trimmings. It seems to be all cleaned out now, but I would like to make sure it does not take hold and have my arsenal ready.
Thanks a bunch
Sandi K.
FYI the horseshoes.com site which links from this one has great discussions. It seems like chronic thrush (which I desperately hope my horse never has)is a regular topic. But I couldn't find anything there either. It's a little confusing to navigate, so maybe it's because I didn't know where to look. Dr. O thanks for the good, easy to navigate organization on this site!

Posted on Saturday, Feb 19, 2000 - 8:02 am:

Thanks,
One of my projects for this year is to get into our sister Farrier Site and try to organize it within our directory structure.

Anyway, due to its caustic, toxic, and even carcinogenic properties it is increasingly difficult to get. I am surprised to hear about Thrush Buster as I believe it use to contain formaldehyde.

It sounds like your horse has contracted heels. I make up my own with one part formalin (37% formaldehyde), one part betadine, one part pine oil. Probably one part formalin to two parts water would be as effective. Be sure you use it carefully and keep it off your skin. I do not believe applying it to the horn of the foot harms the horse.
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Feb 19, 2000 - 6:18 pm:

Dr. O. THANKS a bunch especially for sharing your personal remedy.
Considering that I went out to the barn today and things were flooding, we may need it! Actually, we are pretty lucky. The creek wasn't up to the barn, it was just affected by the runoff from so much rain at once.
Alexa, if you are reading this I'm hoping that things are much better in Southern Africa. It sounds like it was a major disaster. Especially with drinking water affected. Unfortunately I know it will take years to get things back in order.
We had 3 people die in the area as a result of a rescue boat overturn. So I felt lucky just helping to dig a few ditches and scrape down stalls. I'm in a hilly area in the Eastern U.S. and one small stream can turn into a river very quickly.
Yes, Dr. O, you're right. The Thrush Buster has Formalin. I was going by memory but also didn't know that Formaline was a dilution of Formaldehyde. When I looked at it before, I thought that the active ingredient was the gentian violet (or maybe it was iodine, hmm any suggestions for improving memory on the human side?). Now I've been educated. Good thing we have this site to keep us new horse owners straight.
Yes, my mare has contracted heels. I've had her 8 months and with a different farrier. They are getting better. I'll keep cleaning out the sulcus and around the frog to make sure her feet stay as nice as they look right now.
Sandi K

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 23, 2000 - 4:04 pm:

My local pharmacist (chemist) made me up some 40% formaldehyde for thrush about a year ago which was good, after he had carefully looked it up in a reference book to check that it was not the same as thrush in humans. I also found hyDrOgen peroxide (not used too regularly) helped but without question dryness is the key. My horse is currently in a livery stable that uses shavings which means no thrus but her hooves are cracking up from the much dryer environment so you can't win...

The cost was infinitesimal. I think pharmacists/chemists/feed co-op stores etc. are a much under-used resource though of course no substitute for getting the vet if you don't know what the problem is or what you should do about it.

Imogen

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 25, 2000 - 12:46 pm:

I had someone recommend that when you smell 'the smell' pick them out good and squirt some clorox on the soles and around the frog. I have used this and it seemed to do alright but no one mentions it here so I thought I would ask.

Thanks.
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