Foot Abscess

Erray

Erray

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 November 2005
Messages
282
Location
Isle of Mull Scotland
www.mullponytrekking.co.uk
Hi I'm sorry I know there are tonnes of posts on abscesses, but I just wanted abit of reassurance and advice as I'm worried.
Looking back horse not been right for a couple of weeks but just thought he was being lazy. Suddenly went very lame 2 days ago, no heat swelling etc so assumed abscess. Phoned farrier but he can't get here until wednesday (4 days time) So removed shoe and tubbed and hot poulticed. He is alot worse today and no pus yet, phoned vet as I realise the abscess needs digging out but she couldn't get up and just sent some antibiotics. This is the problem with living on an island especially around christmas time.
I don't want to have a dig around his foot as there is no obvious heat to indicate where it is. Should I do something like this or just keep tubbing and poulticing until farrier comes? He is in so much pain and I'm worried about the pressure on his other legs as he is just about on 3 legs.
Also should I give him the antibiotics as I have always been told they can dry up abscesses?
Am poulticing twice a day with hot wet animalintex and vetwrap, duct tape, feed bag etc, this is working well and staying put. He was out but have put him in today on shavings as he was struggleing to move about, seems much happier in and is eating quite happily, though he is a highland so will always eat.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Liz.
 
I would keep hot-tubbing and poulticing until your farrier can get out, and I would not give the anti biotics. If you have any, I would give Bute daily as it will be extremely painful. (Sorry, I don't normally advise against vets, but my vet hates giving antibiotics for hoof abscess for reason you suggested, I trust my vet implicitly)
 
Thanks, yes I agree about the antibiotics, reason have not given any yet.
Just been up to tub and change the poultice and there is now quite abit of pus coming from the frog, not alot and it was clear not black as I've seen before but definately pus as I can still smell it after I've washed my hands 3 times. He seems alot happier but still not weight bearing.
 
If you cannot get anyone out in a hurry try putting the poultice around the coronet band, it could well be that the original route of infection through the foot has healed so the infection cannot get back out, that is why vets and farriers dig.

The infection needs to find a weakness to get out and the coronet band with a bit of softening will allow that to happen.

There have been a lot of this type of thing about now we are getting wet winters, an infection can be very small and travel up through just one tiny laminae.

Don't be fooled by the frog as it naturally secretes smelly substances.
 
Lots of pus now coming out of top of frog, almost the heel. He is much more comfortable tonight and moving round alot better. Think I will hot poultice for 1 more day and then start dry polticing as heel is getting very soft. Thick black pus tonight. Farrier coming tomorrow and I am so relieved that he is not in as much pain as he was.
Thanks for the advice x
 
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