Hoof Abscess

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Miramis

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My foal (5m) has been in with what the vet thought was either an abcess/suspected pedal bone fracture...

Day 4 of wet poulticing and tubbing and thankfully it is an abcess
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which has tracked down and is coming out from the side of his frog. Vet has told me to poultice 2 days beyond it being 'clean'.

Just wondered how long is it best to wait before he can go out again..esp as the fields are so boggy after all the rain we have had recently? Anything i can put on to harden his hoof up again?

Thankfully my boy seems fairly chilled out in the stable and on a positive note it has done wonders for his handling!!!

Ang
 
Could you get your farrier out to give him the all clear and suggest when to turn back out? I did this with mine, I turned him out straight away but the fields were a lot drier back then! Have also had foals with abcesses and you are right its great for their handling!!
 
Had to deal with loads of these, and every tine both vet and farrier said to turn out without dressings of any kind from the start. Have never had any problems, but it is always best to seek the advice of your own vet or farrier.
 
Red Horse Products do some great products including one which plugs abcess holes, is good for central sulcus infections and the like.
 
What worries me is the length of time you seem to be polticing for? As two days after it runs clear is more than 6 days with a wet poltice on!! you will draw out the flesh(proud flesh) at that sort of rate. Normally its ok to poltice wet for two or three (at a push) days.

If the infection is that high up(especially in such little feet) that it took four days to come down im surprised the vet hasnt prescribed antibiotics. Infections that high up often never fully clear without them and re-infect.

Turning out is fine as long as you keep the foot clean (or you risk re-infection) and the foal is sound. Purple spray is suitable for this and once the hole is closed there isnt much need to do this anymore
 
Thanks for all the reply's. Foal is still very lame, really reluctant to put his hoof down. Vet has been back out and dug out his hoof/frog a little, there was pus coming from his frog - further back towards his heel - he cut out a drainage hole, gave him a course of antibiotics and told me to poultice for 2 days (that was monday), then to just tub him which has been from today......There is still no heat or swelling but obviously there is pus somewhere in his hoof. What little has come out stinks!!!


Today there is still nothing in thepoultice, still lame
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, been told to give it a few more days and vet will come out to x-ray, originally he had mentioned a fractured pedal bone, but would this go with the pus that is coming from the frog???.

Obviously im very worried ...just hope theres nothing more sinister going on
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Just want my little man well again.

Ang
 
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