Abscess management (recovery and recuperation)

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throughtheforest

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So it's been undiagnosed as of yet (farrier is coming out Friday) but judging by my horse's response and vastly improved soundness ( before he was putting next to no weight on his off hind) after being poulticed and tubbed with the regular Epsom salts treatment, I'm wondering how long to do this for, and what would help strengthen up the damaged hoof afterwards. Should I consider hoof boots/keratex, there are a few cracks showing in the other hooves but fingers crossed this is a one off. Just any management and recuperation tips would be possible, I would also like to get back on him at some point before the summer's over. After he becomes fully sound how long should I wait before getting back on?
After 20 years of owning and riding this is the first time I've actually had to manage an abscess! :o.

I know there's a few abscess related posts so thanks in advance for reading and any replies. :)
 
Once the abscess has drained fully, which could take just a few days, keep poulticing until it stops draining, you can get it dried up and hardened off, fill up the hole and should be back riding in no time, if the feet are generally in poor condition you may want to consider a supplement or change of diet to help improve the quality of horn.
 
Nothing to add really, but just offering a bit of empathy!

Mine was almost sound on Tuesday, and I was looking forward to ripping off the dressings and plugging the hole up yesterday and in she comes on three legs again so I'm back to square one :(. I'm hoping she's just a bit sore from where it was dug out.

You should be able to ride again as soon as you're happy he's back to normal. Hoof boots are a good idea as the boot will keep the hole clean and will give a bit of support when the hoof cracks off as the hole grows out.

If you're going to use putty, make sure you rub a tiny bit of something non-gritty like chalk or talc on the top to stop it sticking to anything while it sets otherwise it might come out again.
 
Thanks for the advice and support. I was wondering what's the general consensus on digging them out and giving bute? I was of the opinion that bute can slow an abscess from bursting and digging the abscess out can expose horse to further infection and implications.
Yes dd i certainly emphasize with your situation, I was looking forward to starting to get back on him after a stressful few months of starting a new job and finishing exams. I'm concerned about a repeat too as and also that the condition of his hooves isn't very good, so invested in some formula 4 feet and going to get some keratex for when the poultice comes off. Just going all out to prevent anymore developing.
 
I don't give bute for an abscess but my friend does!

I would be riding as soon as they are sound, stop with the tubbing and wet poulticing as soon as you can and move to a dry poultice. Once you have a clean poultice for 24 hours have the shoe put back on. But anything other than this leave well alone and be guided by your farrier.
 
Good luck; I had a horse off for nearly 5 months with an abscess, dig out, re-abscess, hole plugging, tubbing, poulticing, boot rubbing nightmare! I was 3 days away from having him put down when he finally came sound and he's now back in full work and better than ever. Bute won't work, antibiotics are not now usually prescribed for foot abscess and the only thing is persistence, cleanliness and faith.
 
Thanks for your replies. I'm thinking (hoping) this it has burst through the coronet. I'll post photo when I can. Yes this vet was literally adamant that she would give Bute for an abscess. I said not this one you won't. I'm all for painkillers but not Bute for an abscess. Of course it's upto the individual but I believe it would prolong the healing process.
 
I would start riding as soon as he is sound. Circulation is your best friend when it comes to healing an abscess, and the more they are moving the better it gets. As soon as mine can walk they are walking even if they are still sore at trot. All the best - they are the most frustrating things!
 
Sorry to hijack again, but when I dressed her foot last night I noticed some more gunk coming out (clean stuff this time not yucky and dark) so I'm going to hot poultice again for a couple of days. She can't go out yet because a) it's raining and muddy, and b) they've just moved the mares from the field next to the yard to another at the bottom of a long stony path. Gaaaahhh!!!!!

Regarding bute, I gave mine a couple of sachets when she first went lame because I couldn't bear to see her in such pain and the farrier wasn't too happy - he said it's not a good idea. So I don't know what they best advice re painkillers is really.

I know my yardmates only want what's best for her and they all worry, but I'm getting one lot telling me to put shoes on (three of them were there when I asked the farrier about shoes, and he said he didn't think it wouldn't make any difference, so they just think he's a crap farrier, in spite of having been dealing with horses' feet for nearly 50 years!!).

The other lot are telling me get the vet out. Who would dig out the abscess, poultice and pad and probably tell me to get the farrier out and give me a bill for £100, like they did last time I got them out on a Sunday afternoon!
 
Just a word of caution.

I've always been a huge fan of Keratex, it's been a great help with my boys crumbly hooves over the years.
He's now retired and no longer wears shoes but gets footy walking over stony ground (he has to walk over a patch getting from stable to field and vice versa) so I started using Keratex on the soles of his front feet to harden them off a bit and make him more comfortable. Unfortunately he had a bruise that abcessed and as the sole was now hardened the only way it could come out was to track up the hoof and out of the coronet band. It's taken 9 months to grow the huge horizontal split out of his hoof.
So be careful if you're planning to use Keratex on the sole of the hoof :(
 
Ah, you might have answered a question for me here flojo - thanks. I've been wary this week about plugging the hole as I wasn't sure whether a layman would be able to remove the putty if required, and it doesn't sound like you can.

Oh well, she'll just have to put up with being in with a bag on her foot for a few more days :D

Do I sound cruel and unfeeling when I say that in some respects it can be easier to manage if it comes out through the coronet band - easier to flush out, easier to keep clean and horse can normally stay out, but as you say, the healing takes ten times as long and looks hideous?
 
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Oh dd what are we going to do with you and your neddy ay? Sounds like your having a very hard time with the ol' abscess. I have read about being careful with Keratex somewhere else too, I've invested in some formula 4 feet instead, thought this would be the best route to go down as I'm not 100% happy with the condition of his hooves either and there's a link between lack of nutritional value in grass and abscesses apparently too.

Also I have been up to see him again this lunch time and he definitely has pus coming out of his heal too, I mean seriously, 2 places!? Sooo looking forward to this farrier visiting in half an hour I mean 2 abscesses?!?!??
 
diamonddogs said:
Do I sound cruel and unfeeling when I say that in some respects it can be easier to manage if it comes out through the coronet band - easier to flush out, easier to keep clean and horse can normally stay out,
Click to expand...

The problem was that it took ages to track up so was painful for much longer and it could have caused infection deeper in the foot, possibly in the joint too :(

throughtheforest Formula4feet is fab stuff :)
 
Thanks flojo. I am a bit concerned with the abscess tracking up too.
DD how's yours doing?
Mine had farrier out on Friday who confirmed that the abscess had burst through the coronary band and has virtually gone. He's been completely sound all weekend including no weight compensating, so he's coming back into work today, and to say I'm relieved is an understatement.
 
I was just coming on to ask how yours is doing! So pleased for you!

Mine was really lame again on Friday, but she rallied over the weekend and she went back out today. She was in the isolation paddock so was a bit on her toes, but perfectly sound in trot. If she carries on like this she can go back in with her mates at the weekend.

Tough times eh!
 
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