Pathology & Symptoms

Question 1

Canker

Answer 1

Whitish, cabbage like appearance. Bleeds easily. Unpleasant ammonia smell.

Question 2

Club Foot

Answer 2

One foot steeper than the opposite foot. Graded 1 to 4 according to severity.

Question 3

Founder

Answer 3

Radiographic evidence of rotated P3. Pain/discomfort. Changes to hoof appearance. Reduced sole depth forward of the frog.

Question 4

Laminitis

Answer 4

Acute phase: Intense pain in front feet with characteristic stance with front feet well in front. Heat and bounding pulse.

Question 5

Corns

Answer 5

3 Types: Dry/red, moist or suppurating. Varying degrees of lameness. Hoof testers invaluable in diagnosis.

Question 6

Abscess

Answer 6

Extreme lameness. Sensitive to hoof tester. Heat. Pulse.

Question 7

Hoof Avulsion

Answer 7

Obvious absence of hoof capsule and Obel Grade 4 lameness.

Question 8

Dropped Sole

Answer 8

Visual evidence of sole weight bearing. Bruising. Varying degrees of lameness due to sole weight bearing.

Question 9

P3 Fracture

Answer 9

Mild to severe lameness, depending on location of fracture. Radiographic evidence.

Question 10

Cracks

Answer 10

Visual evidence of wall opening. Varying degrees of lameness depending on severity/depth.

Question 11

Sole Bruises

Answer 11

At the time of lameness, the discoloration may not yet be visible. Use of a hoof tester may suggest trauma.

Question 12

Sidebone

Answer 12

During early formation, Obel Grade 2 lameness may be evident. Often palpable ossification is present. Not lame once stabilized.

Question 13

Sheared Heels

Answer 13

Lameness may occur, but many horses show no discomfort. The condition may cause soft heel cracks and lameness.

Question 14

Pedal Osteitis

Answer 14

Often bilateral. Shuffling gait. Reacts to hoof tester over entire sole. Radiographs are necessary to diagnose.

Question 15

Keratoma

Answer 15

Skilled radiography is required. Often no lameness, but can cause extreme lameness.

Question 16

Thrush

Answer 16

It has a black, thick, oily appearance and a distinctly unpleasant odour.

Question 17

Navicular

Answer 17

Short choppy stride. Usually bilateral discomfort. Board test, lifting the toe causes pain. Reacts to hoof tester across quarters.

Question 18

Quittor

Answer 18

Drainage at the quarters, at or above the coronary band. Usually lame until drainage occurs. Lameness subsides but recurs.

Question 19

Quarter Cracks

Answer 19

The opening in the hoof wall is visible, and often bleeds in work. Often causes lameness.

Question 20

Soft Heel

Answer 20

Intermittent lameness. Often a discharge emanates from the crack, which then stays moist. A tool inserted into the area elicits a flinch.

Question 21

White Line Disease (WLD)

Answer 21

The white line is a cavity, filled with a black, mud-like, sometimes cheesy substance. Sometimes quite deep. Advanced cases may cause lameness.