Canker in Horses How to Treat and Prevent Canker in Your Horse

You need to read this article if you’re a horse owner. Canker in horses is a serious and potentially deadly disease that can affect any horse, at any age. If left untreated, canker can quickly lead to health problems. But don’t worry – you ca with antibiotics or surgery. So if you notice any of the common symptoms of canker in your horse, be sure to get treatment right away.

Canker in Horses: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment

Canker is a common affliction of horses caused by the fungus Fusarium necrophorum. It is an unpleasant condition that can cause pain and suffering for your horse. It often takes a toll on the horse’s physical health and well-being – leading to a decrease in their overall quality of life. Fortunately, with proper diagnosis and treatment, canker can be managed. 

What is Canker? 

Canker is a fungal infection caused by the fungus Fusarium necrophorum. This fungus generally lives in the soil and enters the skin through open wounds or abrasions on the horse’s legs. The infection then causes lesions or sores around the opening of these wounds. These lesions may be small and unnoticeable at first but will grow larger as the infection spreads. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on how long the lesion has been left untreated or how deep it has become. Other symptoms include loss of hair, intense itching, heat or swelling around the area of infection, fluid discharge from the wound site, foul odor from the wound site, lameness or limping due to irritation from movement and loss of performance due to pain. 

Causes of Canker 

several factors can contribute to an increased risk for developing canker in horses, including:  

• Injury or trauma to lower limbs resulting in an open wound; 
• Walking through wet soil or standing water;  
• Being exposed to contaminated hay;  
• Compromised immune system;  
• Living in unclean or unsanitary conditions;  

Prevention Strategies 

The most effective way to prevent your horse from developing canker is to practice good hygiene habits such as:  

• Cleaning wounds immediately after they occur;  
• Keeping your horse away from wet environments;  
• Avoiding exposure to contaminated hay;  
• Limiting contact with other infected animals;  
• Keeping stalls clean and dry at all times;   
• Feeding them a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals that strengthens their immune system.   

Treatment Options 

Once your horse has been diagnosed with cancer, there are several treatments available that may provide relief from their symptoms while reducing the further spread of the disease:  

Medications: 

• Antifungal medications such as ketoconazole cream are often used topically on affected areas 2-3 times daily until lesions heal completely.;  
• Systemic antifungal medications may be prescribed if topical treatments do not work.
• Pain relievers may also be prescribed if needed.; 

Surgery:  

• Surgery may be recommended if lesions are deep or have spread beyond certain depths.

Alternative Treatments:  

• Maggot debridement therapy involves using sterile maggots placed directly onto affected areas to debride (remove) dead tissue without causing additional damage.
• Acupuncture has been shown to reduce inflammation associated with lesions caused by canker.
• Homoeopathic remedies may also be used, including silver nitrate solutions and colloidal silver creams, which help fight off bacteria responsible for causing infections.;   

Conclusion 

Canker is an unpleasant condition that affects horses worldwide but proper management strategies can help minimize its effects on your horse’s physical health and well-being. If you believe your horse may have developed canker you must seek veterinary advice immediately so they can provide an accurate diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan before further damage occurs.

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