Diseases of the Horse's Foot

by H. Caulton Reeks

The formation of the abscess, the after-discharge of its contents, and the final establishing of a fistula, are processes greatly prolonged in this form of quittor. It will readily be understood why this should be so when one remembers the depth at which the suppurative process is going on, the thickness of the metacarpo-phalangeal sheath, and the resistant nature of the material of which this latter is made, and which must be penetrated before the condition becomes observable.

After the opening of the abscess, which usually takes place in the hollow of the heel, there is left the fistulous wound which obstinately refuses to heal. Or it may be, again, that there are several of these fistulas, each opening in the heel, and the mouth of each marked by a small, ulcer-like projection. The discharge continually oozing from these keeps the heel constantly wet with a thick purulent discharge, which is nearly always blood-stained, and very often foetid.

This constitutes what is known as tendinous quittor in its worst form, for more often than not there is associated with it inflammation of the navicular bursa, caries of the bones, or arthritis of the pedal articulation.

With the extensor pedis attacked matters are not quite so grave, in spite of the fact that the articulation is closely situated thereto, for in this case the more superficial position of the diseased structure allows both of readier exit of the discharges and of easier removal of the necrosed portion and after-treatment of the wound.

(c) Caries of the Bones.—Portions of the os pedis, more especially of its wings, and therefore usually occurring in conjunction with necrosed cartilage, become carious in quittor. In many cases it is impossible to say with certainty when this has occurred. In a few instances, however, the exuding discharge gives evidence of what has happened. It is thin, but extremely offensive, with the characteristic odour of decayed bone or tooth, and with a feel that is gritty with contained particles of broken-up bone. If, with a discharge of this nature present, the probe also conveys to the fingers the sensation that bone is reached, then diagnosis may be sure.

(d) Ossification of the Cartilage.—This may take place in part or in whole. It, of course, constitutes Side-bone, a fuller description of which will be found in a later portion of this chapter.

(e) Penetration of the Articulation.—This may occur either as a result of the suppurative changes or as an accident in excision of the diseased cartilage. Unless it is followed by a severe purulent arthritis, it is not so grave a complication as at first sight it would appear.

(f) Synovitis and Arthritis (Purulent).—Should this complication arise, the case is a most serious one. Beyond here mentioning the fact that it may occur, we shall not dwell on it. Fuller consideration is given to it in Chapter XII.

Treatment.—The various treatments adopted for the cure of sub-horny quittor offer the veterinary surgeon a large number to select from. We will describe them in the order in which they are, perhaps, most commonly practised.

Poultices and Hot Baths.—As in cutaneous quittor, and as in coronitis, when the pus formation is only suspected, and has not yet broken out at the coronet or elsewhere, then the first indication in treatment is the use of warm poultices or of hot baths. Their application is in most cases productive of pointing at the coronet.