Early warning signs for abscess - what to look out for?

[madginger]

I have finally found the reason for my mares lameness, a massive abscess deep in her foot.

Now normally I am quite an observant person and know when something is wrong but this time she had me totally stumped!

My mare showed no symptoms, no heat, swelling, tenderness to the touch or lots of prodding!!

She just came in one day and could not put any weight on the foot and was obviously in a lot of pain, called the vet out and they said it's an abscess (I was not there at the time so could not ask how they knew)!

So am I missing something or can you tell when a horse has an abscess without showing any obvious signs or symptoms - I wish they could talk you sometimes!!

 

[cazza]

Abscess will not usually show until it has created a nice lot of pus and then the pressure will build up in the foot causing the pain. Each horse will show symptoms of it differently, some show a very very mild lameness, and then they will not weight bear on the foot but will use their toe rather than put their foot flat on the ground. I usually think it's an abscess once I have exhausted all other injuries.

 

[Kallibear]

The lack of symptoms generally ARE the signs for an abcess. They uually just come in hopping lame for no obvious reason. Usuall they are totally non-weight bearing, so the other option would be a fracture. Sometimes you get leg swelling with an abcess, but it's not that common.

If I can't find anything, I treat as an abcess, which would be the same as treatment for anything else too. Box rest with a polutice on the whole foot, if I can't find anything obvious with a little digging with a hoof knife.

 

[The Original Kao]

my filly had an abscess a few months ago. i checked on her am and picked her feet out when i checked on her in the afternoon.
nothing amiss, no lameness, swelling etc not that i was expecting there to be.
anyway went down in the evening and she was on 3 legs with a bit of swelling at her fetlock.
blinking typical i would need to get vet out on an emergency call out

i admit i was relieved that it was just an abscess tho

so she was forgiven