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  Discussion on Preventing bacteria in sole
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Member:
Tmb2006

Posted on Sunday, Oct 15, 2006 - 9:31 pm:

Hi!
My mare is currently convalescing from bilateral subsolar abcesses with septic pedal osteitis of her right front foot. She had to undergo surgery to currette a portion of her diseased coffin bone as well as have a "window" drilled through her dorsal hoof wall (a "mini" wall resection) to allow for better access to a pus pocket.
Now, I'm told to keep this foot bandaged and the pared out holes packed with Metronidazole paste. My next recheck at OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY vet hospital is for 2 weeks.
My question is this: Does there exist an expoxy that can be used to coat the bottom of horses' hooves such that bacteria can't gain access into every little nook/crany defect along the white line?
Seems to me that after carefully paring out and treating the areas suspicious for WLD, that a sealant of some sort or epoxy ought to be invented that could act as a "barrier" to help prevent future fungus or bacteria from invading the foot. Of course, it would have to be re-applied frequently. Does such a product exist, if not, why?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Oct 16, 2006 - 7:05 am:

Because it is near impossible to sterilize the surface Theresa, epoxy type coatings actually trap in moisture and infection Theresa and so will worsen the problem. This is a common complication to hoof repair with these products. Instead concentrate on correcting problems and then keeping the horn healthy with proper nutrition, trimming, and hoof care. These topics are covered at:
  • Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Poor Horn Quality: problems with the wall and soles
  • Horse Care » Hoof Care
DrO
Member:
Cpacer

Posted on Monday, Oct 16, 2006 - 1:43 pm:

My farrier (a barefoot guy) has all his clients spraying their horses feet with a mixture of Apple Cider Vinegar and Tea Tree Oil to kill bacteria.

Not sure what others might think of this concoction, but the mixture is 2 oz of T.T.O. in a 32 oz spray bottle filled the rest of the way up with A.C.V..

I wouldn't put it on anything open and wound-like though.

Interested to hear if DrO will call hooey on this.
Member:
Ajudson1

Posted on Monday, Oct 16, 2006 - 2:16 pm:

I use TT Oil and ACV in my home made fly spray. I also add some TT Oil to our dogs shampoo. It does have antiseptic properties.
Member:
Vickiann

Posted on Monday, Oct 16, 2006 - 5:45 pm:

My farrier suggested the apple cider vinegar (spray it onto the soles) whenever you have your horse on the wash rack, because it makes an inhospitable environment for fungus, etc. I personally worry about the over use of tree tea oil. It supposedly has a "positive charge" -- whatever that means, and some believe it has carcinogenic properties.
Member:
Tmb2006

Posted on Monday, Oct 16, 2006 - 10:29 pm:

Thank you to everybody for taking time out to respond to my post. I really appreciate it.
I'm disappointed to think that an epoxy coating of some sort wouldn't help our horses. Ugh!
With some unfortunate horses so predisposed to foot problems, it is very hard to keep recurrances of abscesses, WLD, etc for flaring up, despite very diligent cleaning and hoof maintenance. It just doesn't seem fair!! If an owner tries to follow all the recommendations for healthy hoof care and their horse still suffers from recurrent hoof problems, etc. Then what do you do for your horse? If Cushings and/or Metabolic synDrOme aren't to blame, what is?

Thank you,
Theresa
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Oct 16, 2006 - 10:39 pm:

Don't be disappointed, but change your thought processes from one of "I can create a bacterial proof fortress around my horses hooves" to one of "I need to create the proper environment and condition of the feet to one that resists these problems".

I don't have any support for the above formula and recommend you stick with the ones in the article I reference above if you have problems as described for their use. As to the causes of these type problems they are also covered in the article. On the first exam of the abscessed foot usually the cause is evident from the exam. Did those who treated your horse give you no idea.
DrO
Member:
Tmb2006

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 - 8:17 am:

Thank you, DrO, for your response and encouragement. I have to admit though, that I am fast losing my optimism. This entire ordeal has been so depressing for me and my mare.
No, the doctors didn't or couldn't give me an exact scenario of what series of events occurred first for my mare.
That is....did she founder, then develop subsolar abscesses? or the doctors believe she may have been "brewing" subsolar abscesses that were so bad and damaging to the lamina, that it lead to her foundering? Her later x-rays show a mild bilateral sinking of P3. The infection/condition is worse in her right foot resulting in septic pedal osteitis and necessitating removal of a portion of her P3.
What remains a MYSTERY to me is the fact that my mare showed no outward signs of trouble leading up to her apparent acute onset of non-weight bearing lameness in her right foot. She and I had done some trail riding the days leading up to her crisis and she showed no signs of problems.
When she first became acutely non-weight bearing lame in her right front foot, the doctors felt it could be a stone bruise, or early abscess, but in just 72 hours, her clinical signs worsened to the point she was recumbant. It wasn't until a complete nerve block was done on her "bad" right foot that it was discovered she was grade 3/5 lame on her LEFT FRONT foot as well.
It was then, that the word "laminitis" or "founder" was mentioned. The University doctors were the ones to pare out very extensive subsolar abscesses in both front feet in the early days of her hospitalization.
I've owned my mare for almost 3 years and this is the first lameness issue we've had.
Thank you again!
--Theresa
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 18, 2006 - 11:14 am:

There is no MYSTERY Theresa, that is exactly how most abscesses behave (see abscess article for more on this). It is unusual to have bilateral abscesses but it happens and usually seen in horses with poorly trimmed feet where defects and weak areas are left in particularly around the white line. Alternatively the feet became bruised and the bruising became infected.
DrO
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