Effect of Presurgical Iodine-Based Disinfection on Bacterial Colonization of the Equine Peripodal Region

Objective To compare bacterial colonization after diluted iodine tincture or povidone iodine solution for presurgical disinfection of the equine peripodal region. Study design Complete block design. Animals Five horses. Methods Disinfection protocols using iodine tincture or povidone iodine solutions were tested on 5 pairs (n = 10) equine front feet. Iodine tincture was applied to the left feet and povidone iodine to the right feet. Fixed surfaces of the sole, frog, hoof wall, and peripodal skin were swabbed pre‐preparation (T0), after a standard pre‐disinfection step (T1), after short disinfection with a 4‐minute application of 0.5% iodine tincture or povidone iodine (T2), and after long disinfection with 12‐hour soaking in 0.25% iodine tincture or povidone iodine (T3). Quantitative bacteriology was performed on each swab. Results The frog and sole were the most contaminated sites compared to hoof wall and skin at T0. Bacterial counts were significantly decreased at T2 for both solutions. Bacterial counts did not change significantly with iodine tincture at T3 but increased with povidone iodine compared to T2. Skin abrasions were detected on almost all feet but were subjectively more severe on iodine tincture‐treated feet. Conclusion Soaking for 12 hours with either iodine tincture or povidone iodine is not recommended as these solutions damaged the skin and bacterial recolonization was noted with povidone iodine. Four‐minute disinfection using either iodine tincture or povidone iodine (0.5% available iodine) is appropriate for presurgical preparation of the equine peripodal region.