Unknown lameness

Paint Me Proud

Paint Me Proud

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Kasper presented as lame on tuesday before christmas. I checked hoof and found a large pointy stone in the white line area, which i removed and purple sprayed, and turned out, before him coming back in overnight.

Wednesday i checked hole and turned out again, seemed okay, then was hoping lame at bring in.

Thursday (xmas day) he was still lame so i kept him in. Farrier had a look and dug out where the stone had been finding a deep but small hole and removed some black gritty stuff. He hoof tested the hoof for a reaction but Kasper didnt react at all. Farrier advised to poultice as thought it was an abscess. I duly hot tubbed and poulticed.

Friday - still lame, heat in hoof, but nothing drawn out. Repoulticed
Saturday - still lame, heat in hoof, but nothing drawn out. Repoulticed
Sunday - still lame, heat in hoof, but nothing drawn out. Repoulticed

Monday - vet called out. vet examined with hoof testers, and again no reaction. Dug slightly more at hole but again found nothing. Kasper trotted up sound (we think due to adrenaline as he had a slight freak out at the vet). Vet advised he felt it was a deep hematoma and a few more days box rest should see he come sound, said to trot him up on wednesday and phoen him to let him know how he was. Also advised no further need to poultice.

Tuesday - lame again! heat in hoof
Wednesady - still lame, heat in hoof. Vet phoned again who wanted to take xrays to ensure no pedal/coffin bone fractures

Thursday (new years day) - didnt trot up but hoof felt much cooling in the afternoon.

Friday (today) - Vet came to take xrays, heat back and Kasper still 1/10ths lame. Xrays taken that didnt show any apparent fractures, just a ittle area of slight mishape on the coffin bone by where the hole is. Vet has bandaged his hoof up to provide support for it and prescribed 6 days box rest before he comes back to see how we're getting on. Vet still thinks it may be some sort of hematoma but they're not 100% sure. One thing vet wants is for kasper to have front shoes on when he is back sound to support the hoof better.

So now it's just a waiting game to see if the support bandage works and gives enough comfort to allow healing.

No real point to this post i guess just fed up of not really knowing what's going on.
 
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Sounds awfully like when mine - fractured his pedal bone. Had him shod with two fronts with eight toe clips in each ( right around the hoof). Box rest for three months and it has fully healed. horse way better than it has ever been, was always bolshy, lazy , reluctant to canter but apparently sound ( passed two full lameness workups) Different horse now, he too has bursas of new bone on his navicular bones , the vet thinks caused by him walking toe first due to his pedal bone. Been in full work for three months and no signs of navicular in his work, so we are hoping x rays will show bursas have reduced in the spring. Happy now, forward going enjoys learning and not even grumpy!
 
I'd ask how shoes will 'support' the hoof.

And also make note that sometimes abscesses in unshod horses can take a bit longer as due to thicker soles they can often track upwards and come out of the coronary band. I think it depends if the pedal bone is actually affected/changed rather than an abscess/haematoma being in the x-ray.

Sadly I think you will just have to wait and fingers crossed it resolves.
 
Xrays showed no problems with navicular bone, vet sad no fractures in the foot, only slighty mis-shape of the coffin bone in one area, vet wasnt overly concerned by this though, he's going to phone me back tomorrow once they've looked at it on the big screen.

He recommends getting him shod as he wants more protection for the white line area. I dont mind as i want him shod this year anyway for eventing.
 
Fair enough, just wanted to check exactly what he was helping ;). I don't think anything could get through Frank's white lines these days if it tried so I don't always think about that. If vet not too concerned you shouldn't be yet either ;)
 
ester said:
Fair enough, just wanted to check exactly what he was helping ;). I don't think anything could get through Frank's white lines these days if it tried so I don't always think about that. If vet not too concerned you shouldn't be yet either ;)
Click to expand...

I did initially think 'oh great shoes' but to be honest if i want to compete this year on grass he needs them, i was just trying to hold out as long as possible before admiting the inevitable!

I will know more when vet phones me tomorrow and he said he will email me the xrays so will pop the offending image up if he does.
 
Vet phoned today, x-rays all clear :D

Vet said most likely cause is soft tissue damage in the hoof and he fully expects it to resolve with the support and rest.

Fingers crossed
 
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