[Equine exudative canker: an (auto-)immune disease?].

Abstract

Equine canker is a chronic, hyperplastic, exudative pododermatitis affecting one or more feet. Although many causes and treatments have been suggested, the cause of the disease is still unknown and most probably multifactorial. Local treatments include radical surgical debridement of the diseased hoof tissue and application of caustic substances, antibiotics, and pressure bandaging. Nevertheless, the number of recurrences is high (45%). This article presents a 3-year-old New Forest pony-cross mare in which all horny structures (frogs, coronets, spurs, chestnuts) of all feet were affected. Bacteriological and fungal cultures of the frogs were found negative for the pathogens tested. Papilloma virus was not found. Clinical findings raised the hypothesis that the non-specific hyperplastic inflammation of these horn-like structures might have been caused by an (auto-)immune reaction. On the basis of the clinical findings, the pony was treated with surgical debridement of the frogs of a diagonal pair of feet and oral administration of prednisolone (1 mg/kg sid). The frogs, coronets, spurs, and chestnuts of all four feet healed completely within 8 weeks, thus making an (auto-)immune reaction more likely. In conclusion, this case report raised the hypothesis that an aspecific, hyperplastic inflammation of all four feet ('equine canker') and other horny structures may be caused by an (auto-)immune reaction, and that corticosteroids (prednisolone 1 mg/kg sid per os) are effective as treatment.

• Authors: A M C Jongbloets, M M Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan, P J H M Meeus, W Back
• Journal: Tijdschrift voor diergeneeskunde (Tijdschr Diergeneeskd) Vol. 130 Issue 4 Pg. 106-9 (Feb 15 2005) ISSN: 0040-7453 [Print] Netherlands
• Vernacular Title: Straalkanker: een (auto-)immuungemedieerde aandoening?
• PMID: 15754903 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Prednisolone

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (therapeutic use)
• Autoimmune Diseases (immunology, therapy, veterinary)
• Debridement (veterinary)
• Female
• Foot Dermatoses (immunology, therapy, veterinary)
• Hoof and Claw (pathology, surgery)
• Horse Diseases (drug therapy, immunology, surgery)
• Horses
• Inflammation (drug therapy, therapy, veterinary)
• Prednisolone (therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome