Abscess/lameness

[StrawberryCob]

My girl has been lame for coming up to 4 weeks on and off on front leg, vet initially said likely to be sprain as no other obvious cause. She usually has brilliant hooves. She was sound for a few days, then v lame again. Farrier dug out abscess, we poulticed, sound for about 3 days now she’s back to almost hopping.
Farrier is coming in the morning, vet is here weds anyway but will call before if farrier thinks I need to.

Any ideas?! Abscess maybe not fully drained? (Poultice was clear) or is there anything else I can be looking at/asking about. Feel so sorry for her, she’s a very special girl.

 

[brightmount]

Could be the abscess tract becoming constantly reinfected if she’s out, especially with all this wet weather. Can she come in for you to get on top of it properly, then plug the hole? I’m dealing with an abscess at the moment and was going to try Stockholm Tar and cotton wool when my horse is ready to go out again. Or your farrier could plug it.

A few years ago both my horses were living out in swamp conditions, and keeping on top of the abscesses was a nightmare. I did find the Woof Wear Medical Boots very usefully though for keeping dirt out, and if you use a bag inside them they also keep the foot reasonably dry, but it’s worth having a couple so you can change them when they are wet and muddy.

 

[Foxychops]

Does sound like the access hasn't fully drained. It's surprising how painful they are. My boy was lame. Farrier came out and dug the tiniest access out you ever did see. Following day horse sound. Definitely get farrier again and you might need to stable to poultice properly. Don't give any bute though x

 

[ester]

After 4 weeks I'd want an xray

 

[JillA]

After 4 weeks I'd want an xray

This - could be a foreign body causing the abscessing.
And be aware an x ray may not reveal anything - years ago I sold a young horse who developed similar problems, nothing on x ray. Just before they decided to PTS they found a tiny sliver of wood had worked its way into the hoof, no idea how they discovered it but once they got rid the problems resolved themselves.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

After 4 weeks I'd want an xray

This.
Week have just xrayed my big boy who was going lame sound lame sound with an abcess which wasn't fully draining.

They found the pocket right by the tip of his pedal bone, so the vet had to dig quite deep.

 

[StrawberryCob]

Thanks all, farrier has been again and dug more, loads of yuck flowed out and she has poultice on again so hopefully that will sort her.
She’s an awkward bean, will kick herself out of any stable/enclosure so putting her in unfortunately isn’t possible. She gets incredibly distressed immediately and is likely to do herself significant damage.
We have hard standing but it’s quite gritty/stony so will soon wear through her make shift hoof boot.
Can’t find a poultice boot or similar to fit her at all currently. Have tried 3, but she has feathers like the biggest flares you’ve ever seen, big ergots and big, wide feet 🙄
Currently covering it with duct tape and 2 thick carrier bags, she’s furious that she rustles so much but seems to be keeping it dry for now.
We are battling clay mud too so it feels near impossible at the moment but hopefully she will come ok now.

 

[ester]

Have you looked at the horse crocz?

 

[dorsetladette]

Chaff bags are quite hard wearing used as a poultice cover with duct tape over the top.

 

[pistolpete]

I feel for you. Mine colics if kept on box rest. We are week seven now post abscess. Sound but still some heat in the foot. He’s had X-rays. Just waiting ...

 

[ohmissbrittany]

you could ask your vet for a couple of old saline IV bags - I use those for soaking. They're good