please tell me... do you leave a hoof abscess to burst or have it dug out?

[ILuvCowparsely]

This isn't true either. Lots of laminitics have abscesses burst right at the centre of the coronet band where laminae have died at the toe and they do not require antibiotics. I have had two, one metabolic, one concussion. In fact in this case, there is often a wide channel (in on of my horses it was one inch wide ) from top to bottom of the foot down which it is easy to pour anything antibacterial to prevent it brewing up again. I'll try and find the picture that I have of him with two inches of the blade of a pair of scissors stuck down it.

Well we will have to agree to disagree. I trust my vets more they wanted her on antibiotics when she had her abscess so she did.

No offense but I trust my vets more than a member who isn't one.

 

[Ibblebibble]

I think its clear to say that there is no right or wrong and each horse and abscess is different.exactly so
I think this thread has turned into a bit of an arguement and its easy to see that everyone has their preferences and there is no hard and fast rule.
So .... While I think its always useful to share advice and experiences, I think everyone has had their say now

you would think so wouldn't you, but seeing as this is HHO there will be a few more pages yet of people insisting they are right, there might even be some name calling

 

[tallyho!]

In true HHO style... 13 pages about some pus!

 

[Oberon]

But look at the shape of the coronary band!

The coronet is quite dynamic.

When you dissect a hoof, you can easily move the coronet up and down with your finger.

It will move depending on the pressure to it, but it's designed to do that so it's not too much of a problem.

Damage to the coronet will grow down and will be disconnected from the internal structures by the time it hits the floor - so *should* be safe from causing any further problems. (However there will be a horse that disproves that - as always ).

FWIW - I'm on the fence re digging out or not. A (decent) vet should be involved and make the choice on what to do given the individual horse.

I've had an abscess that went to the bone (primary cause was Cushings though).
I've had an abscess that needed digging.
I've had an abscess that burst out of the heel without any knowledge of it being there .

The vet was in charge of the treatment and I deferred to their knowledge.

I will say what is REALLY important (to me ) is for us to look for the primary cause of the abscess.

The causes of my horse's abscesses have all been either metabolic disease/spring grass/hoof remodeling.

Don't treat the symptom - treat the cause of the symptom.....

 

[Oberon]

you would think so wouldn't you, but seeing as this is HHO there will be a few more pages yet of people insisting they are right, there might even be some name calling

TROLL

 

[Tnavas]

That will eventually straighten out. My 15 mo old filly had a similar one and you can't tell she ever had one at all!

Yes - eventually it will straighten but in the meantime the action and reaction from the hoof has changed to accomodate the structural damage.

Leviathan My vet has always advised that antibiotics may reduce the infection but unless the cause of the abscess has been removed they are more likely to flair up again.

re Cushings - can someone explain why the cushings causes an abscess - I had several cushings ponies inthe riding school and had no problem with any abscesses - none of the ponies were on any 'Cushings' medication.

 

[Dora5]

Oberon- how did you get the dancing bunny?? Tell me tell me!!

 

[tallyho!]

Well yes of course. One would expect it to.

(In response to tnavas post above which I forgot to quote)

 

[Tnavas]

We also need to consider wether an abscess could be one cause of pedal ostitis and navicular?

Did the infection hit the periostium of the navicular or pedal bone causing some remodeling as it worked its way out.

We can't see inside so shoould take the utmost care to remove the infection as fast and as easily possible.

Me - I will continue to poultice and have the farrier open an abscess so I can clean it and drain it fast.

 

[Oberon]

Oberon- how did you get the dancing bunny?? Tell me tell me!!

You get it with your membership package for the Barefoot Taliban

 

[Ibblebibble]

TROLL

how very rude i have never lived under a bridge in all my life, i have trip trapped across one on occasion just for fun though now away with you mad barefoot woman, your lentil soup is burning

 

[Oberon]

how very rude i have never lived under a bridge in all my life, i have trip trapped across one on occasion just for fun though now away with you mad barefoot woman, your lentil soup is burning

I've just finished nights (so I am sleep deprived) and I'm drinking wine from a pint glass

.

 

[amandap]

All I can say about theories of cause of navicular etc. is get your hands on a copy of Pete Ramey's DVD series. Some eye openers in there and it's very educational. Every horse owner should watch it. http://www.hoofrehab.com/underthehorse.htm

 

[Ibblebibble]

I've just finished nights (so I am sleep deprived) and I'm drinking wine from a pint glass

.

thats you that is, quality bird

 

[Oberon]

thats you that is, quality bird

Made in Blackpool

 

[Ibblebibble]

Made in Blackpool

you're a stick of rock??? always knew there was something odd about you

 

[Carefreegirl]

My ex vet did this to one of my little un's hooves as the farrier couldn't come out..

He actually left her like this.. Poor little mare couldn't stand on it.. I was furious..

I would usually call my farrier first then vet to hopefully rule out anything more sinister..

OMG thats shocking No wonder they're your EX vet !

This is my horse 5 weeks ago, hardly lame would you believe ! She walked from the paddock to the stable, about two minutes walk and only stopped once. I called my vet because she'd come out in lumps all over her body and I was concerned as she's in foal. Luckily my farrier is also my vet practice farrier. She had to come out twice and this is after the second visit where she had to cut more away. I would normally call my farrier (and it would of been about £200 less in vet bills ) Farrier was happy with vets work although obviously worried about the bottom hole in the picture suffering a prolapse. Luckily it's all healing very well. Farrier popped in on Monday and gave all clear to leave uncovered. She's in 24/7 though as it's so wet it's not worth risking.

 

[dressedkez]

The overwhelming majority of abscesses are done and dusted within a couple of days if left. No-one is suggesting leaving a horse in pain for "upwards of many weeks". In that case, all of us would call a farrier or a vet. I disagree that a vet is "usually the better choice". Farriers know feet better and cost a hell of a lot less than a vet call-out and treatment fee.

Not true - I had a little TB who suffered for 6 weeks after the farrier thought he had found it (and had not, and my Farrier is V good) The vet got to the cause of the problem, horse instantly sound.....How would you lot like to wear a pair of shoes, or rub a blister for 6 weeks? My horse lost condition, and was in masses of pain. He still hobbled on 2 sachets of Bute a day.
Never use antibiotics to supress the abcess. Asking for trouble.
Find the abcess via Vet or Farrier and deal with......

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Six weeks is abnormal and you were quite right to call the Vet.

 

[amandap]

cptrayes did say the "overwhelming majority..." We all tend to know about and remember the ones that cause problems, are severe or last a long time. Many go unnoticed.
Horizontal splits in the hoof wall are a sign one has burst at the coronet, the splits grow down and out with the rest of the wall.

 

[cptrayes]

But look at the shape of the coronary band!

What about it? There is a recent abscess which exited through it. The foot looked perfect once the hole reached the floor. I have never had an abscess exit through the coronet and leave any noticeable scar.

 

[cptrayes]

Yes - eventually it will straighten but in the meantime the action and reaction from the hoof has changed to accomodate the structural damage.

Rubbish, The "structural damage" was the outside coating of the hoof only. That horse was an affiliated novice eventer. He did several double clears jumping 1m 15 while that hole was progressing down the foot and passed a five star sales vetting before it was fully grown out.

re Cushings - can someone explain why the cushings causes an abscess - I had several cushings ponies inthe riding school and had no problem with any abscesses - none of the ponies were on any 'Cushings' medication.

Because Cushings causes laminitis and laminar death. The dead laminae abscess to get out if there are enough of them.The fact that your ponies worked for their living probably kept the symptoms at bay.

 

[cptrayes]

But look at the shape of the coronary band!

I've just looked at the photo again and burst out laughing

Tnavas can you not see that I had cut off all the hair so that I could easily disinfect the wound when it was right at the top?

It regrew with his coat change, of course. Meanwhile, it did not stop him doing this:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHLQAnGLF...AAsg/TrXzryoYvD8/s320/Rdbst_MAY_THXC_1186.jpg

 

[DragonSlayer]

A couple of years ago, my horse was given back to me from loan, after the vet mis-diagnosed a foot abcess.

My farrier was furious as he said it had been so obvious he couldn't believe the vet had left him and just pumped him full of bute etc etc etc....

The frog basically disintegrated and it took a month to get him sound, but the farrier said it would expect it to flare up again.

It did, about 5 months later and it then took 6 months to finally clear it, as it was so deep-rooted and my poor horse had to grow another frog.

Treatment?

Foot tubbing, lots of salt and as hot as I could bear water.....everyday, 6 months.

Farrier came regularly to check, and promised me he would come right, he did.

The old methods are the best...

 

[tallyho!]

Sounds like canker!

 

[amandap]

Thrush can eat the frog away and go deep in the central sulcus even invading the digital cushion.

A friend took on two ponies left in a field for months that the owner no longer wanted. Both had severe thrush but the frogs on both front hooves of one just fell off when the hoof was picked out leaving a perfectly formed frog shaped pinky corium. Luckily that hadn't gone deep just rotted the surface frog tissue and grew back a healthy frog within weeks.

 

[Lady La La]

Just as I was starting to get quite worried, Oberon saves the day with a sensible, constructive and informative post!
Quite alarming the self inflated view some posters on here have of their 'knowledge' regarding all things footy... I'm glad there are posters such as Oberon around to provide a sensible & accurate analysis when one is needed

Hope you can take away some useful and sensible advice from this thread, OP. Don't be ruled by those that shout the loudest either, they are not always correct

 

[Millyard Rejects]

All I can add is.....jeez how many abcess's are you lot seeing in your horses???

 

[Tnavas]

I've just looked at the photo again and burst out laughing

Tnavas can you not see that I had cut off all the hair so that I could easily disinfect the wound when it was right at the top?

It regrew with his coat change, of course. Meanwhile, it did not stop him doing this:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHLQAnGLF...AAsg/TrXzryoYvD8/s320/Rdbst_MAY_THXC_1186.jpg

Me too laughing now - I hadn'r noticed that you'd cut the hair! This couold be why I wear glasses!

 

[Tnavas]

All I can add is.....jeez how many abcess's are you lot seeing in your horses???

Clydesdale is 9 and never had one - filly is 4 and had many of them!