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HORSE HOOF THRUSH
Thrush is a degenerative condition primarily affecting the sulci (clefts) of the frog. The horny material of the frog softens and disintegrates. A foul odor and black discharge are commonly seen in affected areas of the frog. Horses with narrow feet or those kept in damp, dirty conditions are most often affected. Thrush can also occur in dry conditions.
Thrush begins in the depths of the frog sulci and may not be obvious. If ignored or undetected, it can progress to undermine the entire frog. Treatment is simple and usually curative if thrush is detected early. Severe, advanced thrush often requires repeated trimming away of dead tissue.
How is thrush treated?
The horse should be moved to a dry clean environment. The foot should be thoroughly cleaned out, removing necrotic debris from within the affected frog sulcus, and then pared out down to healthy tissue, allowing air to reach any remaining damaged tissues. The frog and its sulcus should be scrubbed daily with dilute iodine solution.
Tetanus antitoxin must be given, if the horse is not fully vaccinated up-to-date or if vaccination status cannot be confirmed.
Thereafter, the horse should be kept in clean, dry stable conditions and the frog should be cleaned and treated regularly with Thrush XX until the infection is controlled and the tissue heels.
Call Dr. Garfinkel at 619-659-1180 if you have any questions or concerns about Thrush.