URGENT Questions about feet- WLD/increasing pulse/disapearing soles!

[seabiscuit]

Horse has White line disease in all 4 feet - absolutely nothing obvious to see in his feet just yet apart from a very slight crumbling and cracking.Ive been disinfecting the feet regualrly for the past few weeks. BUT In one hoof when I run the hoof pick along the outside of the frog, the gap (Im talking about the 'V' crease that surrounds the frog) that surrounds the frog seems completly bottomless-I.E normally the gap would only be about half an inch deep but its now just disspears into the foot. Foot very sore to touch in that part. Have been trying to ring farrier all weekend am quite worried- its like his foot has two huge cracks in the sole basically and am thinking about all that dirt and bacteria that must be getting into the bones in the feet!

Also is a raging pulse from the foot symtonmatic of white line disease? Owens had this pulse in his back feet for MONTHS now, (before the frog problem above)vet is not worried...
He is not lame and seems comfortable.

 

[brightmount]

It's the collateral groove. If it is very deep it is symptomatic of the heels being too long. But maybe not in your case if it's only one foot, unless they are badly balanced. You need your farrier's opinion. It does sound like you have some thrush in there if it's sore. I use Absorbine Hooflex Thrush Remedy in this area.

I would be concerned about a raging pulse, but if it's been going on for months his feet aren't likely to drop off before you see your farrier which it sounds like will be this week - I would definitely mention it, he will be in the best position to advise.

 

[Rockchick_uk]

I wouldnt keep washing his feet as this will make the bacteria worse and will make the hooves weak (just like out nails when we continually wash our hands)

I think i used something called Dr Bacons ointment that my farrier gave me (sorry cant remember exactly)

I think you should speak to your farrier as well as your vet and see if they can suggest something that can help.

 

[lisaward]

if it looks infected you could put some hydrogen peroxide in a syringe and flush the frog out.
but i would ask the farrier i find they know more than most vets regarding feet,well mine anyway

 

[coedcae]

It sounds like thrush in the groove around the frog. The only thing that I have found to work is thrush buster which is formadelyde based. White line disease is as it suggest found between the white line and the hoof wall, milton sterilising fluid or any other sterilising fluid for babies bottles works briliantly on WLD. You need to get your horse to stand with his feet in a bucket of diluted sterilising fluid for about 10 mins daily if possible for it to clear. If its already created a large hole you may need more radical treatment from your farrier.
You can have a raging digital pulse from bruised soles, abscesses as well as laminitis but if your vet isnt worried and its a horse with fairly skinny TB legs, you may have just become very adept at feeling for it and its perfectly normal