SEEDY TOE

Seedy toe is a disease of the hoof wall in the toe region in which the hoof wall is seperated from the white line.There is characteristic change in consistency of the horn that results in the crumbling of the inner wall.This causes separation of the hoof wall and the sensitive laminae.

Causes

• Negligent foot care is the major cause of seedy toe
• It can be easily occurred when the wall is allowed to grow too long 
• Debris packs into the hollow space and enlarges the hole
• Seedy toe commonly occurs with chronic laminitis 
• Shoes with close fitting toe clips have been known to cause a chronic inflammation of the laminae,resulting in seedy toe.

Signs

• The outer surface of the horn wall will look sound,but the inner surface is merely or seedy.
• When the hoof wall is trapped over this region it may make a hollow sound,due to dead space.
• The horse may or may not be lame,depending upon the severity of conditions.

Treatments

• The diseased portion of the foot is hollowed out,making a cavity between the horny wall and sensitive laminae.
• The cavity is then packed with gauze soaked with 7% tincture of iodine or antibiotic preparation.
• Unless seedy toe is the result of chronic laminitis,the chances of complete recovery is good.

Reference

Horseman veterinary Encyclopedia by Cheryl Rogers and G.Jeanne Wilcox