Another Abscess Post!!! Sorry :L

[JHC]

TO cut aa long story short, horse came in non-weight bearing last week. Vet has been out twice to try aand dig a route for the abscess to come out.

But only a tiny bit of pus has come out each time, and nothing in the poultice when it's changed twice a day.

The horse is still very lame, but is happier to walk around now by mainly using her toe.

I know the only thing I can do now is wait, but is this normal for a horse to be so lame still?

 

[be positive]

Yes it is normal, until the abscess is released the pressure and pain will remain, your farrier may be the best person to help.
Are you tubbing each day as that is often the most effective way to get the pus to find a route out, plenty of epsom salts in hot water before re-poulticing.

 

[mightymammoth]

In my experience yes they can still be very lame after a week especially if its not drained. Are you soaking the hoof in warm water with epsom salts? Easier said than done I know.

I soak in epsom salts then pack the hole with an iodine and sugar mix then put on a hot wet animalintex (sp) then cover.

When I think its cleared I then go to dry poulticing

 

[JHC]

That's good to hear that it's fairly normal.

Hot soaking with epsom salts twice a day for around 10-15mins then hot poulticing with animalintex (sp?).

She's going out in a concrete yard during the day to make her move around as she was starting to hold the hoof up in the air for long periods causing the leg to swell.

I hate seeing a horse in so much pain poor girly.

Farrier won't touch the hoof since the vet was the one to treat the hoof.

 

[bubbilygum]

I was in completely the same situation over summer - vet came twice but only a very small amount of pus was coming out. Farrier was at the yard at the weekend and did a better job of getting to the pus! Tubbed twice a day for a few days and poulticed, cleared up within a week.

Horse will be lame until pus comes out, sometimes they can take a little while! If you're concerned I would call your farrier. (EDIT: Just seen comment about farrier not wanting to touch!) Tubbing with hot water and Epsom salts also does a great job of drawing the pus out.

 

[Gloi]

If it goes on for a long time don't discount the idea of a foreign body in her foot. Mine had a foot abscess that wouldn't clear up and then one day a sliver of metal worked its way out of his frog which had been completely hidden until then. Once that was out he soon recovered.

 

[mightymammoth]

sound like you are doing everything right just keep going with it and monitor how she goes, keep us posted

 

[ALO]

Mine was the same,vet came out,found small amount of pus,better slightly then got worse,vet out again few days later, dug rather large hole and found lots of pus!horse much better now (toich wood) but now unsure what to do about the hole regarding turnout!!

 

[mightymammoth]

Mine was the same,vet came out,found small amount of pus,better slightly then got worse,vet out again few days later, dug rather large hole and found lots of pus!horse much better now (toich wood) but now unsure what to do about the hole regarding turnout!!

yes be careful as I had a large hole that got reinfected, the only way I got around this was after I had finished poulticing I duct taped a nappy over his hoof and then turned out in a davis boot this type of thing http://www.risleysaddlery.co.uk/catalogue/horse-boots-bandages/poultice-boots/davis-poultice-boot but would keep him in overnight.

I've also got a http://www.eqwelli.co.uk/ but not sure how it will stand up to this terrible weather we have been having.

Just be careful because you will be back to square one again if the hole gets infected.

when I was sure the hole had drained and was dry I put in a bit of red horse field paste http://www.redhorseproducts.com/Hoof_Care/Field_Paste

although when this runs out I will be getting http://www.redhorseproducts.com/All_Products/Artimud

 

[ALO]

Thanks for that.thats what I'm worried about!have ordered some of that,my fields are so wet it's going to be a while before turning out anyway!

 

[JHC]

Finally the abscess is coming out... From the frog and both bulbs. Looks very sore.

I didnt think about reinfection at all tbh.

Shall I do now? Dry poultice or continue to hot poultice?

 

[JHC]

Oops should say "what shall I do now?!

 

[be positive]

Great news

Continue to hot poultice until it has stopped draining usually 4-5 days, then use dry until it is completely clean.

 

[JHC]

Thank-you be positive

To help the sores on the bulbs of her heals - would it be worth using purple spray?