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White line disease (Onychomycosis)

White line disease can be identified by a white cheesy appearance in the hoof wall and laminae.  Often, it can quickly infect to the point that it compromises the integrity of hoof wall enough to make the horse lame or useless.  Removal of the infected hoof wall is often necessary in a serious case. 

The most effective method of treatment I have found is removing hoof wall as necessary to gain access and then soaking the affected hooves in Clean Trax.  It is often necessary to soak the hooves for three days and then every two weeks for six weeks (six times). 

Saying that, it isn't actually very common in my practice.  It seems to become less common all the time.


Its a little hard to see what you need to in these pictures.  I'll try to get better ones next trip. 

A few years ago, I thought cauterizing infections should be a good way to treat them.  It seems to be very effective indeed.  I do it treating thrush with good results also.

I was cauterizing this horse every three weeks and made good progress.  Now we are on a six week rotation with her and continue to make steady albeit slow progress.

This is the worst foot.  Next time I will show how deep the affected area is before trimming.

If you can see the cheesy looking white line here, that is the culprit.  This is a anaerobic fungus which feeds off the white line (laminae).
Nothing survives fire.  Nice neat cauterizing.