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Farrier Work
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It is important to get a professional farrier out to help you with the first part of the treatment. The farrier will use tools and expertise to cut as much of the canker out as possible. This will likely leave a sizeable hole in the foot, and will be a portal for infection unless cared for properly. The farrier may or may not have to make a return trip to get more out after some of the hoof wall has healed. In the meantime, powerful antiseptic, like Betadine and alcohol, should be applied to the wound, and a drawing poultice applied and wrapped onto the foot. A dose of oral probiotics can help the horse's immune system by bolstering the digestive process.
Poultice
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Create a poultice by packing a gauze bandage with Epsom salts and applying it to the debrided area, then wrap this dressing onto the hoof and secure it with a poultice boot or duct tape. Check the poultice every 24 hours and apply an antiseptic and drying agent to the wound until you see improvement. Perform additional surgery and debridement until all the canker tissue is removed and there is no more sign of any new growth.
Continued care
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In order to avoid another infection, it is necessary to keep the feet dry and clean. Canker usually occurs in horses whose feet are constantly wet and unsanitary. Apply a turpentine dressing to the bottom of the hoof every day, and make sure any fecal matter or mud is picked away from the frog. A solution of 50 percent bleach and 50 percent water can be used as a mild antiseptic and antifungal/antimicrobial.
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Holistic Cures for Canker in Horses
Canker is a nasty disease of the hoof that can cause lameness, and in extremely rare cases, death. It is a fungal infection of the hoof wall or the laminae of the hoof that causes a cauliflower looking growth to form on the bottom of the foot. It occurs near or around the frog, and can show up on the whiteline of the hoof as well. It is important to kill this infection to keep it from getting larger and from crippling your horse permanently.