Canker!!

[kryspyg]

One of my best friend's at my yard told me last night that her horse was diagnosed with canker yesterday and that there is a possibility if it is advanced far enough he may need to be put down.
For the first month it was believed to be just thrush and so he was treated accordingly.

I know canker isn't that common these days, but just wondered if anyone had any experience of it and the seriousness of the condition. I am shocked that he may need to be put down and am hoping it is an absolute last-resort and very unlikely!

thanks

k

[Scarlett 001]

A cyber-friend of mine had a horse with advanced canker. In bad canker cases, they can do surgery to remove the canker, but it is of course expensive, and ultimate success is not guaranteed but possible. They often have to remove a lot of material, perhaps even most of the frog, so the recovery period is long to get new frog etc. growing - and canker can return requiring second surgery. The horse in question is actually doing well several months post-surgery and can even manage days out in the turnout field now, with proper protection on the hooves of course.

[MelanieD]

I remember reading something about using maggots on a horse with canker, think the website is www.performancebarefoot.co.uk and the horse was called Millie IIRC.

[kryspyg]

Thanks for your replies!

Luckily the prognosis was a lot better than we thought on friday although the vet did say another week and there would have been serious problems. he has cut away all of the infection apparently and made the yard look like a slaughter house in the process i hear!
Is really reassuring that even advanced cases can be treated with surgery tho. I know my friend was happy to spend as much money as necessary as long as gus wasnt in any pain.

x

[Scarlett 001]

Yes, and I just heard that my friend's horse is growing in new frog at long last, and is still doing well. :)

Good luck to your friend and her horse.