Bhanu Pratap Singh¹*, AK Gupta², Pankaj Gupta³, Vishal Kotwal⁴ and Veeru Manhas⁴

¹Ph.D Scholar, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
²Professor, Division of Surgery and Radiology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Jammu, India
³Assosciate Professor, Division of Surgery and Radiology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Jammu, India
⁴MVSc Scholar, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Jammu, R.S. Pura, India

*Corresponding Author: Bhanu Pratap Singh, Ph.D Scholar, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Received: October 27, 2025; Published: December 31, 2025

Abstract

A 6-year-old mule weighing approximately 450 kg presented with a one-month history of left forelimb lameness. Clinical examination localized in the hoof, with signs of inflammation, elevated digital pulse rate, and a body temperature of 102.5 ° F. Radiographic evaluation revealed a sinus tract extending to the distal interphalangeal joint with opacity changes suggestive of pedal osteitis. Hematological analysis showed leukocytosis (13 × 103μL) and neutrophilia (9.5 × 103μL). Surgical management involved sedation with xylazine (0.5 mg/kg), regional nerve blocks with 2 % lignocaine hydrochloride, debridement of the sinus tract using a hoof knife. The tract was lavaged with saline and diluted betadine, followed by insertion of gentamicin-soaked cotton plugs. Postoperative care included flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg), penicillin (20,000 IU) and diphenhydramine (0.5 mg/kg), along with regular hoof dressing and stall rest for three months. The mule recovered uneventfully and resumed work after two months. Thorough clinical examination, radiographic assessment and timely surgical intervention are critical for diagnosing and managing hoof injuries in equines. Effective postoperative care ensures favorable outcomes, even in cases complicated with pedal osteitis.

Keywords: Horse; Hoof Sinus; Mule; Nerve Blocks; Hoof Knife; Pedal Osteitis

References

1. Cauvin Edouard RJ. “The Surgical Treatment of Septic Pedal Osteitis in the Horse: A Review of Eight Cases”. University of Glasgow (United Kingdom), (1993).
2. Coleridge M., et al. "Comparison of lameness scores after a low 4‐point nerve block to lameness scores after additional desensitisation of the dorsal metatarsal nerves in horses with experimentally induced pain in the metatarsophalangeal joint”. Equine Veterinary Education4 (2020): 199-203.
3. Egenvall Agneta., et al. "Pilot study of locomotor asymmetry in horses walking in circles with and without a rider”. Peer Journal11 (2023): e16373.
4. Fürst Anton E and Christoph J Lischer. "Other clinical problems of the equine foot”. Veterinary Clinics: Equine Practice3 (2021): 695-721.
5. Honnas Clifford M., et al. "Hoof wall surgery in the horse: approaches to and underlying disorders”. Veterinary Clinics: Equine Practice2 (2003): 479-499.
6. Kaneps Andris J. "Diagnosis of lameness". Equine sports medicine and surgery. WB Saunders (2024): 325-340.
7. Larsen Elizabeth A., et al. "Navicular bone fracture and severe deep digital flexor tendinopathy after palmar digital neurectomy in two horses". Open Veterinary Journal12 (2023): 1752.
8. May S A and G Wyn‐Jones. "Contrast radiography in the investigation of sinus tracts and abscess cavities in the horse”. Equine Veterinary Journal3 (1987): 218-222.
9. O'Neill Henry and Bryan O'Meara. "Diagnosis and treatment of penetrating injuries of the hoof in horses”. In Practice10 (2010): 484-490.
10. Pelletier M and J Draper. "Characterization and identification of bacterial flora from infected equine hooves”. International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Research8 (2022): 050-056.
11. Sağlam Mehmet and Cenk Yardımcı. "Operative treatment of splint bone fractures in horses”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi4 (2022): 395-400.
12. Seif MM., et al. "Incidence of hoof affections in equine”. Journal of Veterinary Medical Research1 (2010): 19-29.
13. Wagner Ilka P and Henry Heymering. "Historical perspectives on laminitis”. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice2 (1999): 295-309.

Citation

Citation: Bhanu Pratap Singh., et al. “Surgical Management of Penetrating Hoof Injury with Pedal Osteitis and Sinus Tract Extending to the Coffin Joint in a Mule"Acta Scientific Veterinary Sciences 7.12 (2025): 14-17.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2025 Bhanu Pratap Singh., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.