What is the most common cause for a non weight-bearing lameness in the horse?

What is the most common cause for a non weight-bearing lameness in the horse?

Severe non-weight bearing lameness is most often caused by a fracture, sole abscess or severe bruise, or an infection in a joint, bursa or tendon sheath. Less commonly, it is caused by severe tendon or ligament injury. Occasionally, nerve paralysis can appear as severe lameness.

How long does soft tissue damage take to heal in horses?

It takes a minimum of six months for most soft tissue injuries to heal, and many take nine months or more. If exercise levels increase too quickly, the injury can become worse. If it increases too slowly, strength and athletic function can be lost. (See the sidebar on page 66 for a sample rehabilitation plan.)

How do you treat soft tissue injuries in horses?

He recommended repeating cold therapy three to four times per day for the first 48 hours after acute injury and continuing treatment two to three times per day for about two weeks. He also said owners can use cold therapy following exercise when the horse returns to work to reduce inflammation at the injury site.

What is a soft tissue injury on a horse?

Soft tissue injuries are a relatively common cause of lameness in the athletic horse. Injuries that cause lameness in horses that are soft tissue in origin primarily occur in the tendons and ligaments of the lower limbs. The definition of a tendon is a fibrous cord by which muscle is attached to bone.

What happens when a horse has a puncture wound?

A puncture wound—any wound that is deeper than it is wide—can be bad news for a horse. At the surface, the wound may appear minor, and it can heal over quickly. But bacteria or other contaminants trapped inside the wound can cause infections that affect joints, tendons, bones or other structures.

Can a puncture to the hoof be life threatening?

Punctures to the hoof rarely occur through the hoof wall itself, but punctures to all areas of the sole and frog are relatively common. These puncture wounds can range in significance from none at all to a severe life-threatening injury, depending on the site and depth of penetration. What types of puncture wounds occur?

When to call the vet for a horse foot puncture?

If your horse becomes lame, typically within the next 24-48 hours, particularly if it becomes very lame, your veterinarian should be called as this is an indication that infection or damage to deeper structures has occurred. If the puncture wound involves the frog or the back half of the foot you should always call your veterinarian without delay.

What does it mean when a horse has a punctured sole?

When a foreign body penetrates the hoof’s horny sole or frog and goes into the sensitive tissues below, the horse’s foot has a puncture wound. It is a common cause of lameness, with the outcome varying from trivial to fatal. A puncture wound can also be called a pricked foot, solar/hoof penetration, pus in the foot or foot abscess.

A puncture wound—any wound that is deeper than it is wide—can be bad news for a horse. At the surface, the wound may appear minor, and it can heal over quickly. But bacteria or other contaminants trapped inside the wound can cause infections that affect joints, tendons, bones or other structures.

Punctures to the hoof rarely occur through the hoof wall itself, but punctures to all areas of the sole and frog are relatively common. These puncture wounds can range in significance from none at all to a severe life-threatening injury, depending on the site and depth of penetration. What types of puncture wounds occur?

If your horse becomes lame, typically within the next 24-48 hours, particularly if it becomes very lame, your veterinarian should be called as this is an indication that infection or damage to deeper structures has occurred. If the puncture wound involves the frog or the back half of the foot you should always call your veterinarian without delay.

How is exuberant granulation tissue treated in horses?

Exuberant granulation tissue may require surgical excision or topical treatment. Caustic dressings and topical steroid preparations may be used to control proud flesh. Caustic dressings indiscriminately destroy tissue and topical steroids markedly decrease moisture and shrink the granulation bed by contraction.