Abscess not draining

[2horses]

Hi all,

My horse has an abscess which has burst at the heel bulb, there's definitely white pus coming out but it doesn't seem to be draining. I've dry poulticed it for 2 days and there never seems to be any gunk on the animaltintex but if i give it a little squeeze in the area white pus comes out so there's definitely enough there to come out.

What can I do to encourage it to drain?

thanks

 

[JillA]

I would think it needs opening somewhere the tissue isn't so soft - it presumably keeps closing the hole up?

 

[Carrottom]

I would tub it in warm water with Epsom salts dissolved in it.
15 minutes twice a day usually does the trick.
Is he lame?

 

[2horses]

Thanks, yes a little lame but not holding foot up or anything just seems a bit sore

 

[Gloi]

So long as he isn't hopping lame walking him will encourage it to drain as the frog gets compressed as he is walking.

 

[Carrottom]

Agree walking is good. I would leave uncovered and turnout.
If tubbing doesn't resolve it in a few days I would ask the farrier to have a look.

 

[ycbm]

Tub it at least once a day if possible in salt water, and twice a day fill a syringe with 3% hydrogen peroxide, shove the nozzle in the hole and fire the peroxide in as hard as you can.

.

 

[HeyMich]

Have you tried hot/wet poulticing? I'd do that after tubbing with salts for a few days. If it doesn't work, get the farrier to cut out a new drain hole.