Diagnosing an abcess

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nativepony

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Okay so a week and a half ago my horse was sound at walk but really lame in trot, vet came and diagnosed a probable shoulder injury, 2 weeks rest and metacam for 6 days. After coming off metacam she was still lame but also in walk - also slight heat around coronary band. After speaking to vet he thought it could be an abcess and farrier came, took shoe off and had a look. Although he couldn't find abcess he said she was walking as though she did have one so advised 4 days box rest and hot poulticing. Now on day 3 of this and no evidence of abcess on poultice although did smell pretty bad this morning! I know it can take weeks but having had no experience of abcesses I just wondered how long I should be poulticing for and when we might get to the point where the vet says 'ok so prob not an abcess so let's explore other options?'

Sorry bit long and rambly but any advice appreciated!
 
Did vet/farrier or yourself check for a digital pulse at all?

Abscesses can present without, but generally as they "ripen" you will notice more of a pulse above that hoof :)

Sadly there is no definitive test for an abscess, it's just a case of trying to rule out other causes of the lameness. Stinky gunk on a poultice can often just be slight thrush, especially if you see black gunk that matches the collateral grooves beside the frog.
 
Yes there was def more of a pulse in that foot - can usually feel in both but was more pronounced in 'bad' one, didn't feel for one today but will tomorrow.
 
That would make me think it was worth continuing to treat as if abscess - just guessing, but a higher up injury would probably not affect digital pulse (or it would be stronger in the opposite hoof since the horse would weight it more).

The box rest and metacam may just have delayed it bursting out - metacam is an anti inflammatory - and an abscess sort of needs the build up of inflammation to help it burst out, plus moving around helps it burst too. So things may just be taking a little longer.

Keep in touch with your vet, by phone at least - I have always found this helpful and reassuring, they are the best guides of what to do and for how long.
 
Do not wet poultice for more than 5 days, are you hot tubbing every day with epsom salts to draw it out, and walk out in hand as movement will help with the abscess coming to a head.
 
No, I didn't realise about any of that!!! Never had to deal with this before .... Spoke to my vet earlier and he said if nothing has come out tomorrow then he wants to
take a look! Will start walking her out and hot tubbing.
 
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