Absess recovery...when to turn out with no protection!

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doris2008

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I have gone through so many absesses with my TB I should know the answer to this question but I always doubt myself & need some reassurance!
History - puncture wound to sole, which then absessed & underran. Cue big long hole in bottom of foot! Has been turned out for week now all bagged & duck taped up! And still is. He has still had protection on over night too.
Has been a week since any swelling & anything came out of hole.
How long should I carry on booting & leave it to its own devices? Should it be getting more air? Was thinking about taking it off overnight when in & plugging with iodine.
Will have a chat with vet today if I can. Farrier said over the phone a week ago to turn him out & see what happens - but after weeks of tubbing reluctant to just lob him out & hope for best!!
 
I guess it depends on a lots of things .How big is the hole? Can it be effectively plugged with wadding of some kind soaked in something like iodine solution.
What is the area the horse is turned out on like if it is flinty then there is a chance a flint or stone could push up it the hole. Gravel of any kind would be worse .What is the route to the turn out field like .If the field is grassy then perhaps a boot coud be used to get to an from the field and left off in the field.
I seem to recall that your horse is barefoot?
In a shod horse a leather pad would be put under the shoe.
The one thing you want to guard against is setting it off again as it is going to be very sore and a misjudgement could set you back again.
Not much help I guess just thinking allowed
I guess I might use a boot when turned out and let the air to it in the stable .
I think my farrier says it takes several weeks for the area to fill in properly.
 
Hi

My horse has had abcesses in two feet over winter and has just been allowed back in the field now it is drying up. He was allowed to roam the yard and eat hay and bits of the grass. I found a great product from red horse products called arti mud. It has antibacterial properties in it. Have packed the cavities with that and it actually stays in place so no mud or wet can get in. Its better than trying to pack the hole with stockholme tar. And at the moment no more abcess.
 
Thanks - will look into that product. Sounds just the thing!

Left him without it on last night in stable. But have booted him for turnout which I think I will continue doing for now.
Its difficult to pack with iodine as its quite long & narrow - cotton wool just wont stay in.
Considering fencing off an area if I can get hold of some more electric fencing. Will find an area which is stone free.
 
I left a dry dressing on the foot for a week, when the hole had stopped producing pus. The best dry dressing I found was a babies nappy (easy to fit) changed twice a day, with a poultice boot over the top.
 
i would fill the hole with sugar and iodine overnight and then just brave it and turn out!

apply iodine for a few more days when the horse comes in at night and then i put Keretex hoof hardener around/in the hole so it hardens up a bit quicker.

works really well for mine.
 
I've found keratex hoof putty very good for pluggin holes, and cheap to. As long as the hole is completely clean so you don't trap dirt in you can't go wrong but sounds likel you've got that one covered. Arti mud sounds similar - only problem is really big holes can be difficult to plug as it keeps falling out but if you can get it to stay in the hole problem sorted!
 
have always just turned straight out, never had a re infection or any other problems either.
 
Donkeymad - I think I am just seriously paranoid! He has such thin soft soles that I am fairly convinced the first stone he stands one will re open the hole! :rolleyes: It may be completley unfounded but I darent take the risk!
He has been left with it off over the last couple of nights & then have bagged it turn him out.
Hoping arti mud stuff will at least stay in the deeper bit & will arrive today or tomorrow with any luck! I will then brave it!!!:)
Thanks for all your replies.
 
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