Abcess woes.

Meowy Catkin

Meowy Catkin

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19 July 2010
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How long can I hot poltice a small area (1" x 2") with a dry poutice on the rest of the hoof?

My mare has been poulticed like this for 3 days and there is still lots of black gunk coming out. The hole in the bottom of her hoof (cut by the farrier) had filled up again with the black goo and although it has been cleaned and tubbed, I think that there is more goo to come.

The farrier said to keep on poulicing like that until there is no more goo but the Vet said to be careful of over-wetting the hoof. I just thought that I'd ask on here before bothering them at the weekend.
 
Have you tried soaking the hoof? Hot water and either epsom salts or regular salt, for ten minutes twice a day. I don't like poulticing for more than 3/4 days personally. Might be an idea to get a hoof boot to put on after soaking. Keeps any muck out, but the abcess can still drain.:)
 
Sorry for the confusion, soaking = tubbing.

She is being turned out into the sand school for short periods with the youngster as she freaks out if stabled all the time. I'm also fighting a battle with her and rapid weight loss as when the abcess was developing she stopped eating alot of her food. It's a bit of a nightmare really, but she is now eating and finishing her hard food, although she's not having as much hay as I would like (given ad lib). The poultice/nappy/gaffer tape contruction is keeping the sand/dirt out but I was wondering if I should stop putting in the small, hot, wet bit and dry poultice only.
 
Sorry - completely bypassed the tubbing part:o I stopped poulticing after 3 days with one of mine. Carried on soaking though and sticking the hoof boot on after. It kept the dirt out, but was roomy enough for air to circulate and any gunk to drain. The boot was inspected & cleaned out after each use and used until no more gunk was seen & horse was sound. It was all sorted after about a week.

Its a tricky one - I understand where the vet is coming from, I don't like over wetting hooves either, but it's important to keep the pus draining too. Soaking alone should keep things moving and then dry poultice. I really recommend a boot though, does the job and less faffing and I think healthier for the hoof too.:)
 
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