Keratomas in horses: seven cases (1975-1986).

This research examined the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of keratomas in seven horses of various breeds and age ranging from 2 to 20 years. The study provided key insights on how keratomas present in horses and the treatment strategies for optimal results.

Characteristics of Horses and Keratoma Presentation

• The study involved horses that were either intact or castrated males aged between 2 and 20 years.
• All the horses were lame, and six had a history of previous hoof injuries that had been non-responsive to earlier treatment.
• Keratomas presented as a problem in only one hoof per horse. The majority (six out of seven) were located beneath the hoof wall, while a single case was under the sole.

Diagnosis and Descriptive Findings

• The diagnosis involved radiography which, for three horses, revealed a circular or semicircular defect in the lower part of the third phalanx with a clear margin.
• Upon examination, keratomas appeared as firm individual masses ranging from 1.5 – 5 cm in diameter, and were gray, tan, or yellow in color.

Treatment and Outcome

• The primary treatment involved excising the keratomas. In the majority of cases (five horses), this was done by removing a section of the hoof wall. For one horse, the wall was undermined starting at its junction with the sole. The keratoma under the sole of a single horse was treated by digging the sole down to the level of the palmar surface of the third phalanx.
• Verification of the keratoma was microscopic, marked by the characteristic rings of squamous epithelial cells with abundant keratin. Often present concurrently was purulent exudate and inflammatory infiltrate, indicative of associated localized infection.
• Post-treatment care included daily application of an antiseptic iodine solution, foot bandages, and shoeing with a treatment plate several weeks after surgery.
• Noticeable healing of hoof and sole defects was observed between 6 months and 1 year following treatment. Six out of the seven horses were sound, indicating successful treatment, and keratoma had not recurred a year after surgery.