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  Discussion on Alternative to using hospital plate.
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 17, 2001 - 7:36 am:

My 16yr old TWH was diagnosed as having an infected "internal" quarter crack, medial sulcus left front foot. This is an old chronic situation. Radiographs showed no foreign objects. Infection likely caused by dirt etc. in the tract. The internal quarter crack is in line with a wound at medial bulb of heel.

We are soaking the foot daily with Epson Salts. Administering SMZ for 15 days. Support bandage on right leg. Hospital plate was put on last week per recommendation of vet. Important to keep dirt etc. out of area. Packing the crack with cotton and Betadine. Question is: Is there any other product on the market which could be recommended to cover this area besides the HP which would effectively keep dirt out of the tract once the infection is clear? Right now, we are removing the plate and treating the tract every two days.

We are talking about a long time preventive, as this crack was originally found on radiographs in 97, and then shown to have diminished in size on radiographs in 99 under my vets preventive foot care program.

Thanks,
Liz Anderson

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 18, 2001 - 6:33 am:

Without looking at the crack Liz, it is card to say but the covering has to have to properties of tough enough to withstand the h orse walking around on it while easily removed so the wound can be cleaned. Many have found a hospital plate best. I am sure you have considered the other possibilities like a foot bandage and Easy Boot but I am unsure why you not used them.
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 18, 2001 - 5:06 pm:

When this crack was originally found in 97, and then noted as diminished in size in 99, there were no complications from it. It was just there-located on the inside quarter in the sulcus of the frog. Both times it was pared into and checked on radiographs. To make a long story short-apparently dirt has worked its way up into the crack. There is an abscess about 1 inch above the medial bulb of the hoof which is in direct line with the crack. Hence the hospital plate. The underside of the foot has no oozing etc., the wound however does. We are taking precautions of packing and cleaning the crack.

As this crack has not completely closed up since first finding it five years ago, it is going to be important to keep dirt out. Wally will probably have to wear some sort of protection on that foot for a long time. So...that's why I was asking about other alternatives besides the plate as it seems somewhat cumbersome.

This little guy has been through a lot. We got him after coming off a "big time" show circuit. He was padded up as a 2 year old, has old scars from soreing, toes out, mismatched feet. He also has the biggest and kindest heart and the most intelligence of any horse I've been around. We're in it together for the long haul!

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 18, 2001 - 6:39 pm:

Hi Liz,

Sorry to read that Wally's hoof is acting up again.

Give him a TTEAM circle and scritch for me ...

Chris

Posted on Thursday, Apr 19, 2001 - 7:41 am:

You can sometimes be successful treating an abscess this way, but if it gives you trouble, I would consider removing significant amounts of undermined horm, particularly around the origin of the abscess.
DrO
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