Ok I know there are loads of abscess threads but I'm a worrier!

HufflyPuffly

HufflyPuffly

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So Doodle has an abscess :(, it's her's and mine first one and I'm concerned.

She was lame for a week, then absolutely none weight baring, vet out and abscess discovered on Monday. I have been hot polticing since then (once a day as she is being ever so good at keeping the poltice on), but she is still very lame on it?

She is starting to stand on it more, but has anyone else had a horse stay quite lame? Pus is draining judging by the poltice (eww it is grim!), and I've spoken to both vet and farrier (I told you I was a worrier) who both said if it's draining then give it a bit longer before we do anything else.

Farrier agreed with adding in hot tubbing with epsom salts and trying to take her for a short walk to get some movement going, rather than digging any more for the moment. Our fields are so wet and she is so lame, she is in currently.

Am I being impatient, do some horses just take longer rather than it being an instant relief? I should add she is the biggest drama queen around when injured :o, so I'm not surprised by her extreme reaction but did think she should be more comfortable by now...

Anyone want to reassure me that this is normal and it will all be fine?

x x
 
It's normal and all will be fine :)

They can drain at different rates depending on a lot of factors. The last one I treated (not on one of my own BTW) was in for 3 weeks, poulticed for 2 as that's just how long it took to completely drain. During that time she was such a drama queen about it it was unreal - she was literally on 3 legs!
 
Thank you :D, good to hear that it can take longer for some, most of the threads I read it seemed to be very quick for the horse to be comfortable again!

x x
 
They say its the pressure of the abcess that causes the pain, so think of it like a tooth abcess, just because you have antibiotics and the swelling is going down doesn't mean it won't stop hurting until its completely drained :)

So yes, its normal to still be lame until its fully cleared up, I wouldn't worry too much!
 
They can take there time. I would start polticing twice a day if you can, will help drain quicker, as you then add new material in to draw the abscess more regularly.
 
Thanks both, I need to calm down I think but it's been such a stressful year with all her issues I'm convinced that this will turn into something nasty too :(.

Ok twice a day polticing can be done and does make sense when you see how much stuff has come out! Will see how she looks tonight :).

x x
 
My horse took 10 days the first time and seven the second time.

Its important to only hot poultice for a couple of days then dry poultice.

When its time for a dry poultice, a good tip is to mix iodine with white sugar and blend it into a porridge like consistency. Then you apply this to the bottom of the foot under a poultice. You can use a nappy as its much cheaper than a poultice. The iodine draws out the infection and keeps it clean and the sugar dries the foot.
 
Good to know I might be expecting too much after only a few days!

Vet advice, we are hot poulticing until we get two clean days so will carry this on until he says to stop. Not sure we have to worry too much about making the foot too soft as she has very hard feet!

Will ask the vet about the iodine and white sugar mixture, thanks :).

x x
 
I have had one take about 3 weeks to properly clear up, some good pointers are only cut enough animalintex to just cover the area of the hole that is draining stops foot going so soft, if it's falling off use an old plastic feed bag to wrap round the foot and use duct tape to tape it on, or cut strips of duct tape big enough to cover the hoof and stick them together to make a square big enough to cover the bottom of the hoof, nappies also work well over the hoof to keep it all clean and dry.
 
Thanks for the tips!

I was lazy and bought the hoof shaped animalintex :o, but will start cutting them in half I think. Been quite fortunate that it all seems to be staying in place well, but the duct tape ideas are good! For a horse that acted like the vet was trying to remove her foot, she's been a total angel for me :).

x x
 
Oh, that's nothing: I had one take four and a half months to come completely sound and stop goo coming out of his foot! But then it was a completely under the sole abscess and had been there for even longer before I got him. One of the most painful things a horse can get, just think of the pressure inside a sealed capsule, poor thing. Best wishes for a speedy recovery for your mare.
 
Blooming nora don't fancy it continuing for that long, poor pony!
Fingers crossed Doodle recovers quickly, bless her she is being very good really.

x x
 
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