Welcome to 2011!! Due to the workload here I will now spend the next few days uploading the lecture notes, enjoy!
Sole Bruises
Are basically Haematomas beneath the sole They are more common in thin soled horses (TB's and in Heavy horses).
Bruises can be caused by:
- Constant Low Grade Trauma
- Single Episode (stone bruise_
- Repetitive trauma to a single area (corn)
- Rotation/sinking of the pedal bone
Pedal bone fracture needs to be ruled out, hoof testers can be used, a localised area will suggest a bruise while a generalised reaction over the sole may suggest Fracture. This is not fool proof...because sole briuses can present with extreme lameness (what the vet would call fracture lame, or grade 5)...an xray is needed to confirm a fracture.
If in searching for bruising a hole is made in the sole, fresh blood indicates bruising...this blood will be red.
Old blood (pooled) is darker, brownish or grey, purple.
**Be wary of making large holes, and avoid it if possible Don't guess !! Small holes heal quick but all holes raise the risk of further infection and tetanus. A hole must be wrapped until the sole fills in a bit, or packed with sole pack or similar.
Corns
Primarily caused by shoes.
Flaring and excessive exfoliation that remains can mimic a shoe left on.
The discolouration will look reddish
Corns ordinarily resolve on removal of the shoe and correct trimming
Foot Abscesses
Abscesses are tissue fluid, white blood cells, cell debris and bacteria...creates an inflammatory response.
Because there is no room for swelling within the foot they are extremely painful.
Not all abscesses are the same....
SUBSOLAR..........
puncture or infected sole bruise. When a bruise occurs bacteria can enter through the sole, it is permeable. Infection can also enter the bruised area via the bloodstream.
No swelling usually presents but an advanced abscess can cause cellulitis, which is a bacterial infection under the skin. Swelling begins at the coronet and spreads upwards. There is often confusion with tendon or fetlock issue. The swelling around the coronet will be the worst area of swelling in an abscess...the swelling will be worse around the fetlock or injured section of the tendon otherwise.
