How long does it take for an abscess to pop and drain?

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showqa

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How long should it take for an abscess to drain? Vet came out two days ago and put in a drainage hole, but the abscess was not excised as such because she was worried about digging into sensitive areas. I've been hot poulticing since, but there doesn't seem to be much on the dressing although the hole itself is smelly. Should there be much more black pus on the dressing? Thanks/
 
TBH id get ur farrier to have a look ,they are experts in all things feet (im not dissing ur vet -its just farriers do feet all day) maybe the vet didnt quite get it opened up enough to drain.:)
 
Do you think it's taking too long then? The vet who came out was the best one in the practise, who generally is really well respected. Farrier just too busy and can't come out until Tuesday!
 
no could take a good week to drain depending on how deep it is and how big the abscess is! ,will your horse let you tub his foot? you could use epsom salts in warm water to help draw the muck out. x
 
Yeah Archie, I've been tubbing twice a day with hot water and salt for about 15 minutes a time - until she gets fidgety. Then poulticed with animalintex.
 
I am in the same boat! My farrier was too busy too so had vet! My horse's did drain and he is sound now it took a week. Vet says keep him in 'til Saturday! He is going nuts as he is field kept. Wanted to ask about covering it for turning out in the field. Sorry to steal post!
 
would your horse let you syringe iodine or hibiscrub into the hole? are you putting the animalintex on hot (not too hot)? what part of the foot is the hole?x
 
Yeah hand hot poultice. The hole is close to the white line, and in line with where there is a nail hole more or less. Vet reckons infection/dirt probably went in via the nail hole.
 
well it sounds like your doing all the right things-i cant think of anything else! just out of interest did ur vet give him antibiotics or bute?
 
No antibiotics, but yes bute which means of course that there is no pain. Wondering if I should stop the bute to see if there is still pain and if the thing has drained and somehow ( !!???!!!) I've missed it!!
 
Do you have any heat. Im having probs too, I have them in each hind at the mo, I think we are nearly there as one was cold today , and the other slightly warm.
 
Foot was VERY hot but seems pretty much normal now. Just don't know whether I should have seen pus in the dressing and although I can smell something, I don't see any discharge at all. I was under the impression that it would be black. Anyway, I'm leaving the painkiller off as I won't be able to tell if she's still lame otherwise - that might be some indication of healing. Horrible isn't it - and so frustrating. God, and we've only JUST started to see wet weather here!!!
 
I am in the same position
my mare has laminitis, xray now show gas pocket ( abscess ) poulticed it today nothing still really sore, hole drilled on the front so no weakness to sole.

i too been tubing it 15 mins with salt then drying on towel putting sole paint and using nappy.
 
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