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Equine Canker In Horses
This is a severe bacterial/ fungal infection which affects the frog, heal and underlying structures of the hoof.
Symptoms
- Canker has a very foul smell and secretes a lot of puss from the affected areas.
- The horse will often stamp their feet due to the discomfort.
- There will be fragments of crusted over hoof horn growing excessively at the back of the frog
- In extreme cases as the canker takes hold a cauliflower like growth will appear in the affected areas of frog and heel.
- Horses by this stage will often also have swollen fetlocks and be reluctant to stand or move on there feet.
Horses At Risk
- Those kept in unhygienic environments.
- Very hot environments that will cause the frog to sweat.
- Horses with long heels are also at risk.
Treatment
Due to the fact that canker can infect the very inner parts of the horses hoof it can be very difficult to treat. If caught early enough then all the diseased parts of the infected hoof are removed and a careful antiseptic cleaning program begins along with antibiotics to help the structures to rebuild.
However once canker has taken hold it can take several weeks/months for the horse to recover depending on the severity of the canker.
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Prevention
Good stable management that ensures that stables are regularly mucked out and the horses are kept on clean dry bedding along with regular hoof care such as regular farrier visits and daily picking feet out will all help to prevent this infection from occurring. Quick treatment of any infection is essential as it will prevent the infection from damaging internal structures for which sometimes there is no return.
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