How should thrush be handled?

• A. Remove diseased tissue, pick hooves, desiccating germicide, clean housing
• B. Keep moisture high in stall and avoid cleaning
• C. Scrape only with dull tool
• D. Use systemic antibiotics without cleaning environment

Answer: (A)

Thrush is a fungal infection that thrives in damp, dirty conditions and on dead tissue in the hoof. The most effective approach is to remove the diseased tissue and debris so healthy tissue can heal and so treatment agents can reach the infection. Picking the hoof to remove loose material and allowing the affected area to air and dry is important for healing. Then apply a desiccating germicide to dry out the hoof and kill the fungus, which helps prevent spread and supports healing. Equally crucial is addressing the environment: clean the stall, provide good drainage and dry bedding, and reduce moisture to lower the chance of reinfection. Systemic antibiotics don’t treat the local fungal infection and won’t compensate for a dirty, wet environment, and keeping moisture high or using a dull tool won’t effectively address thrush.