Canker

[sundance]

Hi, I pick my horses feet out twice a day and at times they do get a bit smelly. He has been living out for about a week or so and tonight I have just discovered that he has canker in one of his hind feet. has anybody got any ideas as to how to treat this please?

 

[be positive]

If you are sure it is canker and not thrush then get the vet and farrier involved, having seen a horse with this condition at my local vet hospital I know how serious it is, the mare was in for many weeks having treatment with a poor prognosis for full recovery, the last I knew she was on the mend but it is not something to treat lightly as once it takes hold it can be impossible to get rid of.
I suspect it is just a nasty case of thrush but better safe than sorry.

 

[LittleOwl]

Without scaremongering, I knew a horse who was PTS due to canker being left untreated for too long and secondary infections arising. When his field mate subsequently got it, the vet was involved straight away and she made a full recovery

 

[Cobbytype]

There's a very good article by Stephen E O'Grady BVSc MRCVS, which gives a thorough explanation of the disease and how it can be treated successfully. If you google his name and 'canker', you should find it.

 

[bugs bunny]

Just to let you all know that I've set up a Facebook group for equine canker. I myself dealt with canker for 14 months and it was a rollercoaster ride. The group is there to support people dealing with equine canker and to swap information on treatment methods to beat this horrible disease.

Please take a look and join

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1059527797468834/