Equine Hoof Care and Management Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is a common clinical presentation of sub-solar abscesses in equines?

Foul-smelling discharge from the hoof

Increased heart rate

Lameness and sensitivity to hoof pressure (correct)

Swelling around the coronary band

Which of the following describes an important anatomical consideration for solar penetrations?

Distribution of blood vessels in the sole (correct)

Location of the digital cushion

Presence of a thick outer hoof wall

Structure of the frog

What is the first-line treatment for acute laminitis?

Providing anti-inflammatory medications (correct)

High-protein diet adjustment

Intravenous fluid therapy

Immediate corrective shoeing

What is a key diagnostic approach for detecting solar penetrations?

Radiographic imaging of the hoof Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a typical consequence of untreated laminitis?

Increased hoof wall thickness Signup and view all the answers

What are typical initial presentations of hoof problems in horses?

Increased digital pulses and decreased mobility Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment is recommended for stabilizing hoof cracks?

Filling with synthetic resin and using farrier clips Signup and view all the answers

What nutritional supplement is suggested for improving hoof health?

Biotin at 15-20mg/day Signup and view all the answers

What type of crack is caused due to poor foot conformation?

Grass cracks Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT considered a common cause of hoof conditions?

High humidity levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended dosage of Phenylbutazone for treating laminitis in the initial 24-48 hours?

4.4 mg/kg IV/PO Signup and view all the answers

Which medication is NOT licensed for pain relief in laminitis treatment?

Gabapentin Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended dietary restriction for a horse suffering from laminitis?

Concentrate feeds Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential part of remedial farriery for treating laminitis?

Encouraging new hoof growth to align with the pedal bone Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is primarily diagnosed with an ACTH concentration test in laminitis treatment?

Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) Signup and view all the answers

What type of shoe is commonly used in the remedial treatment of laminitis?

Imprint shoes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a part of remedial farriery for laminitis?

Traditional shoeing Signup and view all the answers

What additional material might be used alongside wooden shoes in corrective farriery?

Impression material Signup and view all the answers

Which publication would likely provide in-depth research on the effects of metformin in horses?

Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine Signup and view all the answers

In the management of laminitis, which method is highlighted for therapeutic cooling?

Continuous therapeutic cooling Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered an endocrinopathic cause of laminitis?

Excess weight bearing on one limb Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary clinical sign of laminitis?

Heat through dorsal hoof wall Signup and view all the answers

Which diagnostic technique is important for assessing the progression of laminitis?

Radiography Signup and view all the answers

What is recommended during the acute phase of laminitis treatment?

Strict rest Signup and view all the answers

In the context of laminitis, what does the term 'CE Distance >15mm' indicate?

Sinking of P3 into the hoof capsule Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common misdiagnosis of laminitis based on clinical signs?

Severe arthritis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an effective method of foot support during laminitis treatment?

Walking on hard surfaces Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is not directly associated with inflammatory causes of laminitis?

Excess weight bearing Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of exudative bacterial dermatitis in frogs?

Poor hygiene and foot care Signup and view all the answers

Which organism is primarily responsible for exudative bacterial dermatitis in frogs?

Fusobacterium necrophorum Signup and view all the answers

What is a common diagnostic sign of a sub-solar abscess in horses?

Increased digital pulsation Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended treatment for a simple sub-solar abscess?

Draining the abscess and poulticing Signup and view all the answers

What is a key risk factor for developing sub-solar abscesses in horses?

Poor foot conformation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a potential sequela of a solar penetration?

Development of a keratoma Signup and view all the answers

When treating a solar penetration, what is the first step if a nail or wire is still in place?

Leave it in situ and support the leg Signup and view all the answers

In a chronic abscess, what is a possible complication?

Rupturing at the coronary band Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal in managing a sub-solar abscess?

Encourage drainage Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if a horse shows signs of synovial penetration?

Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment is indicated for improving conditions related to exudative bacterial dermatitis?

Enhanced hygiene and hygiene practices Signup and view all the answers

What is the prognosis for exudative bacterial dermatitis in frogs with appropriate treatment?

Very good Signup and view all the answers

What type of medication is typically used for pain relief after draining a sub-solar abscess?

NSAIDs Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Approach to Conditions of the Equine Hoof

Alissa Cooper, lecturer in equine clinical practice at the University of Surrey, presented this lecture.
The lecture covered common equine hoof conditions, including sub-solar abscesses, solar penetrations, and laminitis.

Learning Objectives

Students will gain awareness of common hoof conditions.
Students will learn about clinical presentations, aetiology, and treatment options for sub-solar abscesses.
Students will grasp the diagnostic approach to solar penetrations, including understanding severity.
Students will understand diagnostic approaches and prognostic indicators for laminitis.
Students will outline the first-line treatment for acute laminitis.

Reading List

Essential reading includes Pascoe's Principles & Practice of Equine Dermatology, Chapter 17, covering hoof injuries and diseases.
Another reference is O'Neill & O'Meara (2010), In Practice, which details diagnosing and treating penetrating hoof injuries.

Approach to Hoof Problems

Initial presentations often include lameness, heat in the foot, visible cracks, or foul smells like thrush.
Increased digital pulses signal potential issues.
Further examination uses hoof testers to identify pain.
The foot is pared to asses all elements.
Visual assessment, radiographs, and MRI aid identifying problems.

Common Conditions of the Hoof

Hoof conditions arise from neglect/poor trimming, environmental factors, or trauma.
Images in the lecture illustrate these factors.

Hoof Cracks

Hoof cracks include toe, quarter, heel or sole cracks.
Severity varies with crack depth.
Grass Cracks originate from the ground up. They often stem from poor foot conformation.
Sand Cracks extend distally from the coronary band. They are linked to coronary band lesions.

Hoof Cracks - Treatment

The underlying cause should be identified and treated.
Essential elements for treatment include good quality nutrition, improved hoof horn quality, hoof hardeners, and moisturisers.
Biotin (15-20 mg/day) is a supplement for better hoof quality.
Crack stabilization involves debriding, using farrier clips/wire, and filling with synthetic resin.
Good shoeing is also crucial.

Thrush

Thrush is a bacterial dermatitis in the sulci frog.
Poor hygiene and overgrown feet are common causes.
Fusobacterium necrophorum is the associated bacteria.
Debridement of the necrotic frog is a key treatment step.
Improved hygiene, topical treatments (povidone-iodine, formalin, H2O2), and antimicrobials are further treatment considerations.

Trauma

Trauma to the hoof is a serious issue.
Pictures illustrate different stages of the injury, including bleeding and healing.
Foot casts are often employed for support, sterility, and pain relief.

Sub-Solar Abscess

The lecture termed this condition "Pus in the foot".
It's among the most common causes of horse lameness.
The condition results from ascending bacterial infection in the chorium (solar dermis).
Risk factors include poor foot conformation, seedy toe, wet conditions, and in both shod and unshod horses
Chronic laminitis and PPID can contribute.

Sub-Solar Abscess - Diagnosis

The condition often presents as acute and severe unilateral lameness.
Increased digital pulsation ("bounding pulses"), heat in the hoof, and distal limb swelling are common signs.
The condition exhibits repeatable pain responses on application of hoof testers.

Sub-Solar Abscess - Treatment

Treatment aims to encourage drainage.
Key steps include removing shoes, paring and cleaning the sole, exploring discoloured areas.
Sedation and nerve block may be involved (but rarely).
Poultices are used for softening the hoof prior to curetting and to maintain drainage.
Poultices are typically changed once daily.
Pain relief with NSAIDs (like phenylbutazone) is crucial.
Antibiotics are typically not needed for uncomplicated abscesses.
Tetanus prophylaxis is important.

Sub-Solar Abscess - Chronic/Purulent Abscess

Chronic abscesses might rupture at the coronary band or heel.
Drainage encouragement is key, possibly requiring repeat flushing.
Purulent abscesses involve deeper/sensitive structures.
Thorough diagnostics (radiography) and extensive surgery may be necessary.
Antimicrobial therapy is indicated.

Solar Penetrations

A presentation on diagnosing and treating penetrating hoof injuries in horses.
References include Henry O'Neill and Bryan O'Meara's 2010 article in In Practice.
A first principle approach if nail/wire is in place: leave it, support the leg, and radiograph if possible.
Second principle if nail/wire is already removed: identify the track, pare the sole to expose the chorium, clean the lesion and be aware of delay in lameness. Further investigations with probes, contrast radiography and MRI are required for any suspicion of complications.

Solar Penetrations - Potential Sequelae

Potential consequences include pedal bone damage, soft tissue damage, insertion damage to deep digital flexor tendons, impar ligament, synovial infection, navicular bursa, and distal interphalangeal joint or digital tendon sheath trauma.
Prognosis considers the number of complications and the time to treatment.

Solar Penetrations - Treatment

Simple, uncomplicated penetrations involve paring, poulticing and antibiotics only if an infection is present.
Judicious use of analgesia and NSAIDs is advisable.
Synovial penetration cases require broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy (e.g., penicillin and gentamicin).
Surgical intervention, like arthroscopic synovial cavity lavage, is sometimes necessary.
Tetanus prophylaxis is also essential.

Neoplasia - Keratoma

Presentation of hoof growth abnormalities.

Laminitis

A review lecture on the condition.
It is a multifactorial disease process linked to laminar degeneration.
Various categories include endocrinopathic (including insulin dysregulation and PPID), inflammatory (caused by systemic disease and retained fetal membranes) and traumatic causes (excess weight on one limb).

Laminitis - Clinical Signs

Various clinical signs of laminitis include acute onset lameness, shifting weight, rocking onto heels, reluctance to walk, short/choppy gait, bounding digital pulses, heat through the dorsal hoof wall, and pain on hoof testers.

Laminitis - Diagnostics

Diagnosis relies on clinical signs and history.
Radiography is critical. It's used to assess severity, progression, prognosis, and response to treatment.
Time since the onset of laminitis is crucial when taking radiographs.

Laminitis - Radiography

Normal angles and measurements from radiographs (dorsal, palmar, coronary band-extensor process distance, sole depth) are critical for proper assessment.

Laminitis - Prognosis

Poor prognosis often stems from severe rotation of the pedal bone (P3) (>15%), sinking of P3 into the capsule, pedal bone displacement, Mediolateral Rotation, chronicity, and undiagnosed of untreated underlying conditions.

Laminitis - Principles of Treatment

Treatment prioritizes supporting the pedal bone.
Strict rest is essential during acute stages.
Soft bedding (like sand or shavings) aids in supporting the foot, while shoes might need removal.
Sole and frog supports should support the foot.
Cryotherapy can also help by reducing inflammation.

Laminitis - Suppress Inflammation and Provide Pain Relief

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (e.g., phenylbutazone) are used to reduce inflammation in the early stages.
Monitoring is recommended, including careful consideration of the multimodal approach (incorporating other pain relief options, if necessary).

Laminitis - Dietary Restriction

Limiting forage quality (e.g., transitioning away from low quality/soaked hay) and stopping grains help in preventing further problems.
A balancer (vitamin and mineral supplement) should be provided.

Laminitis - Underlying Condition Diagnosis/Treatment

Conditions like pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) are diagnosed and treated appropriately.
Insulin dysregulation cases might involve resting hyperinsulinaemia and in-feed glucose tests alongside diet and exercise protocols, once the horse has recovered.
Investigating medications, like Metformin/Canagliflozin is also mentioned.

Laminitis - Remedial Farriery

Rebalancing of the hoof is critically important for appropriate weight bearing.
Providing long term support using frog/sole support and reduction of breakover is also essential.
Remedial farriers work with hoof growth for 6-8 months aligning hoof growth to pedal bone positions.

Laminitis - Further Reading

Several references including relevant online resources are mentioned to assist further research into equine hoof care and specific conditions. References include the Laminitis Site, the Laminitis Trust, specific journal articles, and other papers.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the diagnosis and treatment of common hoof problems in horses. This quiz covers clinical presentations, anatomical considerations, and recommended treatments including dietary restrictions and medications for conditions like laminitis. Assess your understanding of hoof health and management practices.