Draft cross...presented with a crack at the toe and a minor distortion in the hoof wall... They will be taking the horse for rads sometime next week for suspected karatoma. Finished with casting material. Equi-pak under the hoof.
Thanks David. Yes there is a clog on the other foot as well. It also had some WLD trying to start, though not nearly as involved as this right hoof.
Funny sometimes what's lurking under those "toe cracks" , huh? Shane, was the clog your weapon of choice or prescribed by an attending Vet? Also, did you go ahead with this resection of your own accord or was there a Vet calling the shots. Just curious, as I find myself in this situation a lot and always wonder about crossing that "line". "If it's gonna get red, the Vet's gotta get outta bed", is my usual MO...... Nice work.... Dave
My choice on all accounts. I've been watching this hoof for a couple cycles and have notice some changes in the hoof wall at this crack. So I told the owner what I wanted to do, they agreed and I began to cut away. With the amount of wall removed I felt the clog to be the best choice to give the needed support. I originally thought that I was just going to recect and find only WLD. The more I cut away the more sure I was that there is something more going on here. I agree with Gabino, I feel there is a karatoma that needs to be removed. Rads will be taken soon to confirm.
Rads say no karatoma. When the blocks are reset we will x-ray one more time to be sure, but the rad do not show enough evidence of karatoma to warrant digging into the hoof any deeper. Vet recommends to continue with current plan of action for now and in five weeks we'll reevaluate. It's not always bad to be wrong.
