Journal of Veterinary Clinics (한국임상수의학회지)

The Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics (한국임상수의학회)
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Treatment of Quarter Crack Using Polymethyl Methacrylate Composites with a Reshaped Gluing Shoe in a Warmblood Foal

  • Received : 2021.11.02
  • Accepted : 2022.02.23
  • Published : 2022.04.30
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Abstract

A 5 day-old Warmblood foal was presented with a quarter crack due to the dam accidentally stepping on his left hind foot. Physical examination revealed the vertical crack included the coronary band of the medial side of the left hind hoof (quarter crack) with the lower pastern avulsion wound. Different from adult horses, the foot of the 5 day-old foal lacked adequate hoof wall thickness for stainless steel wire insertion and hoof size for a reinforcing fabric to be applied. Therefore, the authors decided to stabilize the edges of the cracked wall only by the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) composites without wiring and a reinforcing fabric application; and gluing a plastic shoe that was reshaped to protect the lower pastern and to spread pressure to other parts of the hoof when bearing weight. Disinfection and a supportive bandage were applied daily for 2 weeks. A month after the hoof crack accident, lameness had diminished. The quarter crack in this foal was treated successfully by the application of the composites three times with a reshaped gluing shoe, with approximately a month interval over the 4 months. After 4 months, it presented a successful functional recovery and needed no further treatment. When followed up 8 months after the accident, it revealed successful outcomes without hoof shape distortion and unbalanced hoof/limb growth.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank Yang-Nam Kim, farrier for his assistance.

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