Cannon Keratosis??

[Polar Bear9]

When I bought my girl 8 years ago she had a large scab like thing on the front of a hind leg. It was noted on the vetting but the vet didn't know what it was and said as it had never bothered her not to worry. Since then 2 other vets have seen it and had no idea. We have tried various things which have been recommended such as Hibiscrubing regularly, none of which have worked. About 5 years ago she started getting it on the other leg as well. It is now about 2 inches square and raised a cm or so off the leg, the dead skin comes out it you pick at it but she gets touchy if you faff with it to much so I normally just leave it as its never affected her.

Yesterday I saw a mention of Cannon Keratosis online and looked it up, it sounds just like what my girl has. Basically I'm asking if anyone has had any experience of it and what you used to treat it? Obviously I wouldn't use anything on it without vet diagnosis and advice but just trying to get a bit of a better idea if this is likely to be what it is. Thanks!

 

[sprytzer]

Hi, yes we had one of the kids ponies with it...noticed scabby, yellow patches on the front of hind cannon bone.
I had the vet look at it on one of his visits, said he hadnt seen anything like it before so did a biopsy, it came back as exactly that..cannon keratosis.
It something we learnt to live with, unfortunatly we tried everything the vet said and nothing worked, so all we could do was keep it clean, i used to get a water brush and some salt water and give it a good brush when it was at its worst, ie, all the hair on raised patches of skin ready to peel off, then just give it a good dry.
Our lads legs never cleared up and he had it till the day he died.
It did mean we couldnt use boots on his hind legs due to the risk of them rubbing, but other than it being a pain it never caused him any problems or lameness.

 

[Polar Bear9]

We've thought about getting a biopsy but as its never bothered her there didn't seem any point. We don't put hind boots on her anyway as shes awful with them and kicks, possibly because they're uncomfortable. I'll try the salt water, thanks

 

[be positive]

One of mine used to have it, I didn't realise it was such a problem for some that it never got better, his went away after using Gold Label Wonder Gel I put it on then gradually started picking it off from the edges just a little at a time making sure I didn't make it too sore, it came and went for a couple of years but has not reappeared for several years now.

 

[Baydame]

My mare gets it if she's not getting all her supps, (flax, msm, pre/probiotic and hoof sup). Or if a lot of stress. I moved her to a new place just before the start of this month and it's cleared up already. It was mild to begin with tho.

So, good nutrition and 3 others mares to boss around works for my girl.