Hoof abscess recovery - hoof putty? Anyone used?

[Sunflowers]

My gelding had a horrid abscess, so the vet cut a hole 1 inch-wide, 1/2 inch-deep at the toe of his sole.

Now the abscess is cleared, i need to keep the hole covered until it grows back - has anyone experience of using hoof putty or similar?

Found this keratex putty that looks like it might work..

http://www.keratex.net/hoof_putty.htm


any advice appreciated!

 

[soloequestrian]

I've used it to fill the leftover damage from an operation my horse had on her foot - it's been great stuff. Just warm it a little before you try to push it into the hole, and beware that it sticks to things like towels better than to hooves! I give it a coat of dust after it's in the hole to stop it sticking to anything else and being pulled out!

 

[Orangehorse]

Or plug it with cotton wool, ask the vet what can go in the hole. I seem to remember putting something on the first bit of cotton wool, and then another bit on top and squashing it in and sealing it with vaseline/stockholm tar. Trouble is, some of the old fashioned remedies have since been found to be harmful, so you should really ask you vet what is the lastest research. For instance, it is not recommended that stockholm tar comes into contact with live tissue, yet at one time that was the standard treatment.

I found the hoof putty a nightmare to use, personally, but maybe I am too clumsy. It seemed to stick to anything and everything, other than where I wanted.

 

[moorman]

Main worry is that you have all the bacteria out of the hole, the reason being the bacteria that live-in and therefore create necrotic tissue (black foul smelling stuff) like being where there is no air.
So if you are doing it for aesthetics then I would not bother, if you are worried about something getting in and doing more damage then by all means: clean out the area with a good disinfectant, dry the area, put something around the hoof while you get some Hoof putty, place it in some cling film, hold it in your hand until supple, unfold the Clingfilm while pressing the putty into the offending hole.
Change the putty about 2-3 times a week if the horse is out, once a week if in, always checking for any new necrotic tissue.
I assume your vet is fully aware of the situation re tetanus ect.

 

[rodgerroo]

I used the Keratex hoof putty a few years ago now and my farrier basically said it wasnt needed and i was wasting my time with it. I trusted my farrier 5000% so stopped fiddling around with it.
My horse recovered fine without it.