What's best to use on mild trush? Is formaldehyde safe ?

Porkie

Porkie

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 May 2007
Messages
581
Location
Kent
Visit site
Can anyone tell me if it is safe to use formaldehyde on horses feet for thrush ??

It has been suggested to my friend to use and she has ordered some from the chemist - only now I've googled it I'm worried ...........

What is best to treat mild trush ??
 
[ QUOTE ]
Do you mena peroxide? Formaldehyde is for preseving dead bodies, don't think it will kill thrush.

[/ QUOTE ]

I thought it was something used for embalming - but no she definitely said her farrier had told her to use formaldehyde for thrush - but when you google it it says some products for thrush contain it but then it also says it will kill living tissue !!!

I'm confused ...........
 
I'd be surprised if you could buy neat formaldehyde (since it is supposed to be a restricted substance and when I order it for my lab, I have to sign a zillion health and safety forms) anywhere but just in case you can, it is most definitely NOT safe! It is highly toxic and if inhaled causes sever lung disease and cancer... Keep it anyway from the horse!
 
Use hydrogen peroxide - fizzes up a treat
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
I'd be surprised if you could buy neat formaldehyde (since it is supposed to be a restricted substance and when I order it for my lab, I have to sign a zillion health and safety forms) anywhere but just in case you can, it is most definitely NOT safe! It is highly toxic and if inhaled causes sever lung disease and cancer... Keep it anyway from the horse!

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh good grief !!
blush.gif
My friend said she went into Boots at lunch time and they have ordered her a 2lt bottle for £8 !! They just joked and wanted to know what she was going to embalm ........
crazy.gif
crazy.gif
 
Both formaldehyde and hydrogen peroxide will kill off live tissue whilst trying to clear the thrush. Both are old methods and are now outdated with all the gentler products available.
 
I've used both - formaldehyde works quicker - this was also recommended by my blacksmith but I prefer hydrogen peroxide - with careful use - I scrub out all the dirt from the hoof, dry it and then just pour out a little peroxide into the hoof and hold it up while it fizzes - it clears thrush up a treat - I have never had any other problems whilst using it.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I'd be surprised if you could buy neat formaldehyde (since it is supposed to be a restricted substance and when I order it for my lab, I have to sign a zillion health and safety forms) anywhere but just in case you can, it is most definitely NOT safe! It is highly toxic and if inhaled causes sever lung disease and cancer... Keep it anyway from the horse!

[/ QUOTE ]


Formaldehyde is not a restricted substance (I sell the stuff and possibly to your lab
wink.gif
) It is available by prescription and otc.

It is commonly used as a disinfectant and does dry up the skin.

It isn't highly toxic, although it's not the safest of substances to use, it *can* be toxic at high concentrations, much higher than those used by embalmers, industry etc.

Did you know it's commonly used by egg producers to disinfect the eggs?

It is thought *probable* to be a carcinogen, although not 100% proven. It certainly doesn't cause lung cancer, although is an irritant if high concentrations are breathed in.

The concentrations that will be available to Joe Bloggs on the street will be entirely different to that available to a laboratory.

So, yes, it will dry up the skin, although I would recommend using something else.
 
my farrier reccommends neat bleach - only on the frog and sole . It is fantastic and works really well at preventing soft feet and thrush caused by us all using rubber mats now which cause the foot to sweat and not dry out naturally. My horses feet have never been better !!!!!
 
We borax soak once a week and use a topical application of sudocreme which does work wonders.

Not sure that a Borax soak would be good if the foot is shod though - a topical scrub on the affected area only would probably be best.
 
Farrier told me if mine ever got it to use milton fluid (the baby sterilising stuff). Go half price and buy Asda own stuff which funnily enough is the same.

Have to say I'd probably use tea tree oil which I reckon fixes most things!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
stockholm tar is very effective.

[/ QUOTE ]

Would you have to scrub out the hoof with something else first?

I know its sticky, anti-bacterial, water proof stuff so how long would one application last for?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top