A pedal bone cyst is a fluid-filled cavity within the pedal bone of the hoof that can cause lameness.

Pedal bone cyst in Horses

Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment.

The cysts are commonly first diagnosed in young horses (1 to 3 years old) but may also be diagnosed in older horses. It is unknown whether this uncommon condition is caused by trauma or a developmental disorder. The diagnosis may be confirmed by your veterinarian through the use of regional analgesia and x-rays or computed tomography (CT scan).

Symptoms

  • Change in Hoof Angle
  • Response to hoof tester
  • Swelling
  • Hot
  • Heel first landing
  • Reluctant to move
  • lameness
  • Short stepped

Common in

  • Young Horses

Treatment

Treatment options vary from conservative methods such as stall rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, and intra-articular medications to more invasive surgical techniques. Surgical treatment includes arthroscopic debridement; extracapsular (through the hoof wall) approaches to the cysts have been used in less accessible lesions. Secondary fracture of the extensor process has been reported to occur due to a cyst in that region. Some horses return to performance status, whereas others are used for alternative purposes such as breeding.

Prevention

Select supportive footwear before you start an exercise or training routine and replace your shoes after 300-500 miles of use.

How Happie can help you manage your horse's health

Digital health management offers numerous benefits in modern equine healthcare.

With the Happie Horse App, you can track symptom patterns and body values, such as Temperature, Pulse and Respiration. Allowing you to notice abnormal changes in body and behaviour early on, leading to more successful treatments.

The Happie symptom checker allows you to add all of your horse's abnormal symptoms in order to present potential causes and diseases.

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