Foot Abcess advise

[scattynuttymare]

My girl has an abcess in her toe. I'm on day 4 of hot poultice and there is still muck coming out. Was advised not to hot poultice for no longer than three days but to dry poultice for a few days then plug the hole. Should I continue to hot poultice for a couple more days? Also my girl is not that much sounder, I thought that once an abcess had been opened to drain they became much sounder within the first day? Any advise much appreciated.

 

[Adina]

Try hot poultice overnight and dry poultice during day. (Or otherway round). You don't want a soggy foot. Did your farrier open it up ? They are usually best for treatment and advice. Give your farrier a ring.

 

[scattynuttymare]

It was the vet who opened it up as my farrier didn't really want to know. I'm going to call the farrier in a bit for some advise and then if I need to the vet

 

[AmyMay]

I would only hot poultice for a maximum of 3 days. A wet poultice will always give the impression of gunk comming out. So now I would be on dry poultices - well wrapped up with a nappy, plastic bag and duck tape and the horse turned out.

 

[scattynuttymare]

There is definatly gunk coming out. It's black and looking in to the hole its still quite pussy. I think I'll dry poultice tonight though

 

[nurselainee]

Who advised you against the hot poultice? I would continue with the hot poultice for a little while longer to draw the gunk out, the underlying tissue wont be able to granulate and heal if the abcess still contains black sloughy pus, no point plugging a hole that is still full of bacteria, plugging is usually done when the abcess has drained, some can take weeks!