Foot abscess,your advice ,please

[carthorse]

My horse was off for 2 weeks with an abscess.He was poulticed and tubbed then the farrier came and opened the foot and put a dry animalintex on for 2 days then just a dry dressing for 2 days[ farrier wanted it left open but I was scared it was get poo in] Then the farrier put cotton wool in the hole put a pad on and a shoe and was told to work on surface. Vet did come out to start with but did not want to give anything and left it with the farrier to sort out.
He had the shoe on last Friday and all seemed well although there was a mark on the coronet.
Today he is a bit sore again ,not in walk but he trotted a few strides in the field when we turned him out ,on the surface he looks ok.His coronet has split horozontally about 1 inch of it, and when squeezed it was wet.
I've phoned farrier and left a message but no reply.He is entered for intro champ BE on Saturday. Would you poultice coronet, phone vet again or wait for farrier?
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ihatework]

I'd poultice the coronet, keep the horse out and moving as much as possible.
If it's going to burst out of the coronet theres not a lot either the farrier or vet can really do.
If the horse goes really lame and/or the coronet is very yukky might be worth the vet looking in case of quittar.

If nothing comes out of coronet get the farrier back, you may just have grit lodged under the pad

 

[Silgram]

Would poultice the coronet as it appears the infection has worked it's way to the top. Would also try hot tubbing with epson salts to try and draw the infection out. Keep him out 24/7 if possible.

Good luck.

 

[AmyMay]

Personally I'd chuck the horse out and let nature take it's course. I wouldn't poultice any more, and I would also be inclined to give a little bit of bute.

Abcess's can take ages - and usually no amount of faffing around with them will spead things up.

Wet ground and movement are usually the best treatment i've found for these things.

 

[_jetset_]

You and me are both in a complete abscess obsessed world aren't we!!!

Grace had her shoe back on this morning, I trotted her up and whilst there was a slight improvement, it was not enough to make me sure she would be sound and ready for the Areas on Saturday. So we have withdrawn and are now trying to get into the ones at Beaver Hall once the previous venue returns my sheets.

As for your coronet band, I would phone the vet and have a chat with him about it and see what he would suggest. He will probably say to poultice that area and see what happens, but I like to refer to my vet if I am unsure of something. Most worth their salt will not come out to give you advice, and mine gives me lots of information over the telephone if he has already been out to see the horse for the reason I am phoning.

 

[nelgonde]

Another less visible alternative is Keratex hoof putty. Very good for plugging absesses and continuing without poulticing.