Equine Keratoma (Hoof Tumor)

Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment.

A keratoma is a rare benign tumour of the inner layer of the hoof wall cells which forms inside a horse’s foot. As the tumour slowly grows, it expands and separates the hoof wall laminae, causing pain and lameness. The tumour grows downwards because space for growth is restricted inside the rigid hoof structure.

Keratomas tend to develop more commonly at the toes and any of the feet may be affected. Two forms of keratoma are recognised: Cylindrical shaped keratomas, which run in the hoof wall directly towards the sole and more discrete ‘spherical’ shaped keratomas, most often towards the toe.

Symptoms

Treatment

The tumour and overlying hoof wall requires surgical removal, under local or general anaesthesia, as required by the individual case. The surgical wound is then packed with sterile gauze soaked in antiseptic solution and the foot is bandaged. The horse is treated with antibiotics, active against both aerobic and anaerobic bacterial infections. Thereafter, the bandage and antiseptic gauze pack are changed every 2-3 days until a layer of dry protective cornified laminae has formed.

The affected foot is shod with a full-bar shoe with clips on either side of the hoof wound to help stabilise the hoof wall defect. The horse is kept in clean, dry conditions until the wound is completely healed.

Prevention

Being a tumor, methods of prevention are unknown, but injury to or inflammation of the coronary band should be rapidly and efficiently treated.

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