Hoof Abscess Help!!!!!!

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AmeliaVDW

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Went to get the horses in Friday morning, and L didn't come when called which is very unusual.

She was very, very lame and not weight baring. She will only put weight on her toe to move as we had to negiotate going down the hill in the field, then back up on the drive.

Instantly called the vet, they came within 10 minues which I was very impressed about.

L was diagnosed with an abscess in her toe, but it is very deep rooted. Vet expects it'll burst out through the coronary band. She dug the track out a bit to help it drain. She's also on a course of antibiotics.

I soaked the hoof in warm water and epsom salts for around 5 minutes then hot poulticed over night.

This morning there was nothing on the poultice. The YO wasn't in so I was unable to get any hot water so dry poulticed instead.

I've only dealt with an abscess before but that horse was hardly lame so was told it was better to poultice (duct tape and feed bag) and turnout to get it all moving.

She is still hopping lame, doesn't put any weight on the leg and refuses to move but no puss has come out over night. Is this normal?
 
Ditto highlands. Need a warm/hot wet poultice, at best wet with cold water. Have you got an old kettle to could take the to yard? Or thermos flask?
Tubbing in hand hot warm (not scolding), just and have water deep enough so coronary band covered too if this is route out the abscess may take. If no improvement soon, try calling your farrier, I suspect they may find it to dig out sooner. Also worth checking there's no puncture wound to sole or frog.
 
Nothing to add but to say I'm in same boat. Mine started boxing day,been poulticing and tubbing since them as per vet.no pus, vet coming out tomorrow morning.hope yours gets sorted out soon.
 
I wouldnt always be surprised if nothing shows on the poultice.....

Mine had one in the summer and was really lame on it - vet came out (didnt do a great deal apart from say what it was!) so poulticed and turned out on his instruction but nothing came out at all.

The farrier was out the week after and dug it out where he did find puss so again hot poulticed for a week and kept her in so it was dry and as clean as possible, and still nothing showed on the poultice but a week later she was sound, so shoe back on and back to normal.

Fast forward to now - the abcess left a large hole inside the hoof, which has gone like seedy toe so she has had that cut out (big hole!) and been in for a week and half, farrier has been out today and filled it so she can go back out tomorrow!!

This is the amount that had to be cut out

HOOF_zps9739d954.jpg


I HATE abcesses - horrible things!!

I hope yours doesnt drag on this long!
 
Don't worry too much, my 22 year old has had 2 in succession on the same foot over the summer. The abscess eventually burst out at the coronary band. My farrier was very helpful and I followed his advice.

As long as you poultice and ensure your horse can move about - this is very important - the movement. He will come up sound and it can take a few weeks or more.
 
She is completely none weight baring - literally holds her leg up in the air and refuses to move more than a couple steps.

Thankyou faith123 - the vet didn't cut as nearly as much away as on your horse's hoof. A little hole on the white line on the sole.

It breaks my heart seeing a horse obviously in so much pain. Vet said to give her norodine, but seen conflicting advice on this.

Would it be worth getting the farrier out?
 
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