corrective trimming and shoeing and diet management. Horses with laminitis should be deeply bedded. There is recent research that has proven a can prevent laminitis caused by carbohydrate overload. Research is still ongoing. The prognosis for a case of mild laminitis with no founder is good while the prognosis for a case of laminitis with founder is guarded to poor. In more severe cases of laminitis with founder tenotomy of the deep digital flexor tendon may be necessary. In cases where the third phalanx has pierced the sole or osteomyelitis has occurred, the prognosis is grave and euthanasia is recommended.
Subsolar Abscess
Subsolar abscess describes the formation of an abscess inside the foot.
Generally subsolar abscesses are caused by a
wound, which allows pyogenic
bacteria or fungus to enter the foot.
Once inside the foot the pathogen replicates triggering an immune response, which walls off the area of infection. Inside the infected area the pathogen causes necrosis of the foot tissue, which mixes with dead pathogen and dead immune cells to form pus. Horses wearing shoes and any puncture wounds to the foot predispose a horse to the development of a subsolar abscess. Clinically a Subsolar abscess is seen as severe , reluctance to weight-bear on affected foot, increased lameness with concussion, heat in hoof, low-grade heat and edema of affected distal limb, visible discolouration of the sole, and positive pain response to the application of hoof testers to the affected area. Diagnosis of subsolar abscess can be made by clinical signs and symptoms as well as positive hoof test. Treatment includes the release of purulent material by cutting away the sole or hoof wall with a hoof knife, the soaking of the foot in an foot bath and the application of poultice to the affected sole. Prognosis for subsolar abscess is good though it may take months for the hoof wall and sole to grow in normally.
Gravel
Gravel describes a hoof wall abscess that erupts at the cornet band.
Gravel is caused by the introduction of bacteria or fungus into areas of separation along the solar aspect of the . The infection then spreads up the length of the hoof wall and erupts out at the coronary band. If left untreated gravel can result in of the third phalanx.
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