Analyze Diet
The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice2012; 28(2); 407-421; doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2012.06.006

Nonseptic diseases associated with the hoof complex: keratoma, white line disease, canker, and neoplasia.

Abstract: This article addresses nonseptic diseases associated with the hoof complex, namely keratoma, white line disease, canker, and neoplasia. Keratoma is an uncommon cause of lameness, which may be surgically removed. White line disease, a keratolytic process on the solar surface of the hoof, is treated with therapeutic farriery and resection of the hoof wall when appropriate. Equine canker is an infectious process that results in development of a chronic hypertrophy of the horn-producing tissues. Neoplasia involving the equine foot is rare, and melanoma is the most common type of neoplasm reported.
Publication Date: 2012-09-18 PubMed ID: 22981198DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2012.06.006Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research is an examination of nonseptic diseases connected to the hoof complex, including keratoma, white line disease, canker, and neoplasia.

Keratoma

  • The study discusses keratoma, which is a rare cause of lameness in horses.
  • It is characterized by the presence of a benign growth within the interior structures of the hoof.
  • The paper explains that these keratomas can be reliably diagnosed through radiographic and MRI examinations.
  • The researchers state that the most effective treatment for keratoma is surgical removal, which typically leads to a good prognosis for the horse.

White Line Disease

  • The article comprehensively describes white line disease, a disorder affecting the inner zone of the hoof wall.
  • The condition, characterized by a keratolytic process on the solar (bottom) surface of the hoof, weakens the structure of the hoof and can lead to lameness if not promptly treated.
  • The paper emphasizes the importance of therapeutic farriery, which involves specialized care and shaping of the hooves, and occasionally, the resection of the affected parts of the hoof wall as treatment measures.

Canker

  • The research paper delves into equine canker, an infectious process that causes abnormal, chronic growth of the horn-producing tissues of the horse’s hoof.
  • It mentions that while canker can occur in horses of all ages, breeds, and sexes, specific environmental factors may put some horses at higher risk.
  • It is revealed in the study that treatment usually entails surgical removal of the hypertrophic tissues, combined with rigorous hoof hygiene and appropriate bandaging.

Neoplasia

  • Lastly, the report covers neoplasia in the equine foot, noting that it is rare.
  • The primary form of neoplasia that affects horses’ feet is melanoma, more common in grey horses than in horses with other coat colors.
  • The team notes that treatment approaches are dependent on the specific type of neoplasm, the extent of the disease and the overall health of the horse.

Cite This Article

APA
Redding WR, O'Grady SE. (2012). Nonseptic diseases associated with the hoof complex: keratoma, white line disease, canker, and neoplasia. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 28(2), 407-421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2012.06.006

Publication

ISSN: 1558-4224
NlmUniqueID: 8511904
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 28
Issue: 2
Pages: 407-421

Researcher Affiliations

Redding, W Rich
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA. rich_redding@ncsu.edu
O'Grady, Stephen E

    MeSH Terms

    • Animal Husbandry / methods
    • Animals
    • Debridement / methods
    • Debridement / veterinary
    • Foot Diseases / diagnosis
    • Foot Diseases / etiology
    • Foot Diseases / therapy
    • Foot Diseases / veterinary
    • Hoof and Claw / surgery
    • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
    • Horse Diseases / therapy
    • Horses
    • Humans
    • Keratosis / complications
    • Keratosis / diagnosis
    • Keratosis / surgery
    • Keratosis / veterinary
    • Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
    • Lameness, Animal / etiology
    • Melanoma / surgery
    • Melanoma / veterinary
    • Neoplasms / surgery
    • Neoplasms / veterinary
    • Photography / veterinary
    • Skin Diseases / complications
    • Skin Diseases / veterinary

    Citations

    This article has been cited 8 times.
    1. Szabó L, Pollard D, Nagy A. Computed tomographic measurements in 110 front hooves of non-lame Thoroughbred racehorses and Warmblood showjumpers. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1328-1340.
      doi: 10.1111/evj.14509pubmed: 40235192google scholar: lookup
    2. Bulnes F, Argüelles D, Buzón A, García-Álamo K, Rodríguez-Gómez IM, Hernández E, Mozos E. Concomitant melanoma and keratoma affecting the equine digit: clinical, pathological, and long-term follow-up findings. BMC Vet Res 2024 Oct 1;20(1):444.
      doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-04269-4pubmed: 39354566google scholar: lookup
    3. Brys M, Claerebout E, Chiers K. Chronic Progressive Lymphedema in Belgian Draft Horses: Understanding and Managing a Challenging Disease. Vet Sci 2023 May 12;10(5).
      doi: 10.3390/vetsci10050347pubmed: 37235431google scholar: lookup
    4. Stefanik E, Górski K, Turek B, Drewnowska-Szczepakowska O, Kliczkowska-Klarowicz K, Stefanik A. From Keratoma to Anaplastic Malignant Melanoma in a Horse's Hoof. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 9;12(22).
      doi: 10.3390/ani12223090pubmed: 36428318google scholar: lookup
    5. Sato F, Otsuka N, Kuwano A. Toe white line separation associated with the notch (crena marginalis) on the distal phalanges in Thoroughbred yearling horses. J Vet Med Sci 2021 Nov 16;83(11):1745-1749.
      doi: 10.1292/jvms.21-0270pubmed: 34556604google scholar: lookup
    6. Ellis L. White line disease in a 19-year-old appendix mare. Can Vet J 2020 Aug;61(8):895-898.
      pubmed: 32741999
    7. Miller SM, Katzwinkel RH. Solar keratoma: An atypical case. J S Afr Vet Assoc 2015 Sep 18;86(1):1257.
      doi: 10.4102/jsava.v86i1.1257pubmed: 26824342google scholar: lookup
    8. Tatarniuk DM, Bracamonte JL, Wilson DG, Sharma A, Perry AW. Laminar epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis in an equine hoof. Can Vet J 2013 Sep;54(9):849-52.
      pubmed: 24155488