THRUSH

Thrush is an infection of frog and its sulci that results in degeneration of horn and the production of foul smelling/black discharges.
The degeneration of the horn is due to infection with bacteria,fungi.

PREDISPOSING CAUSES

• WET UNHYGIENIC STABLE CONDITIONS
• LACK OF ROUTINE FOOT CARE
• LACK OF REGULAR EXERCISE
• OVERGROWN,RAGGED FROGS AND LONG CONTRACTED HEELS

CLINICAL SIGNS

• The most obvious sign of thrush is usually the odor that occurs when picking out the feet.
•  Additionally, the infected areas of the hoof will be black in color , and will easily break or crumble when scraped with a hoof pick.
•  When picking the hooves around thrush areas, the differences between healthy and infected areas can be seen when white/gray tissue (healthy frog) is surrounding a dark, smelly (infected) area.
• Most horses do not become lame if infected with thrush. However, if left untreated, the bacteria may migrate deeper into the sensitive parts of the hoof, which will result in lameness. Then, the horse may also react when its feet are picked out, and blood may be seen.

DIAGNOSIS

Thrush produces a foul smelling black discharge in the affected sulcus of the frog.  There is pain on applying pressure to the area.  The hind feet are more often affected than the front feet and, occasionally, infection may result in a general swelling of the distal (lower) limb

TREATMENT

• The horse should be moved to a dry clean environment.  
• The foot should be thoroughly cleaned out, removing debris from within the affected frog sulcus, and then the horn is 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 or other antiseptic solutions.
• Thereafter, the horse should be kept in clean, dry stable conditions and the frog should be cleaned and treated regularly until the infection is controlled and the tissues heel.

PREVENTION

Prevention is better than cure and thrush can be avoided by good stable management and regular foot care and inspection.  Stable your horse in clean dry conditions and have your horses' feet regularly trimmed and shod to avoid the development of long heel conformation and to keep the frog healthy.  Any mediolateral foot imbalance should also be addressed by the farrier.

posted by equinevet