Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
The pathogenesis and treatment of osteomyelitis and laminitis in a stallion after the prolonged topical application of formalin to the distal phalanx.
- Journal:
- Australian veterinary journal
- Year:
- 1988
- Authors:
- Dart, A J & Pascoe, R R
- Affiliation:
- Oakey Veterinary Hospital · Australia
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 12-year-old Quarterhorse stallion was brought in because he was limping badly on his left front foot. The vet found a large hole in the bottom of his hoof, and X-rays showed that he had an infection in the bone, likely caused by using a strong chemical called formalin for too long. The infected bone was surgically cleaned out, and the horse was fitted with special shoes a week later. Even after eight months, the X-rays showed that the bone was still not in the right position, so more surgery was done to relieve pressure on the hoof, which helped realign the bone significantly within about a month. This case shows that with the right treatment, even serious hoof problems can be managed effectively if the horse's value justifies the effort and cost.
Abstract
A 12-year-old Quarterhorse stallion was presented with a severe lameness in the left forefoot. There was a 3 cm diameter cavity in the sole that extended to the solar surface of the distal phalanx. Radiographs revealed an osteomyelitis and a sequestrum which probably developed following the prolonged topical application of 10 percent formalin. The sequestrum was removed and the infected bone curetted under general anaesthesia. The horse was shod with heart bar shoes on both front feet 7 days after the surgery. Eight months later, radiographs showed marked rotation of the distal phalanx despite continual shoeing with heart bar shoes. Surgical resection of the dorsal wall of the hoof at the toe removed the pressure applied by the laminar wedge, and combined with the stabilising and supporting action of the heart bar shoe, permitted realignment of the distal phalanx approximately 30 degrees closer to the normal skeletal axis by 26 days post-operatively. This case highlights some of the recent developments in the treatment of laminitis and suggests that effective treatment is possible if the value of the animal warrants the time and investment.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3415618/