puncture in frog, how long will it take ...

[Sauerkraut]

To heal over?

My horse and pony (little fatty to keep the horse sane on boxrest) are 2 weeks now on boxrest after horse went lame. Found a little puncture and treated it 3 weeks ago but it got infected and I started boxrest and called the farrier out to take the shoe off and look fo an absess. We started poulticing every day and after 3 days I called the vet out who was happy how clean wound is and reasured us it wasn't deep to do more damage. Started antibiotics treatment and kept poulticing. We are now 2 weeks later and wound (about a 5 p size) is still there and open and both on box rest with a "in hand grazing" every day for half an hour just to stretch their legs.

Farrier said to call him out once I'm sure no pus comes out to re shoe him. Weather is picking up and poor horses stuck in stables.

Would you let him out for a few hours each day now? I poultice, bandage and "duc tape" the foot to make it water proof. Will it heal faster if he can't move around? Had anyone of you such a puncture recently and how long did it take to heal? When would you close it up with tar?

Many many questions of a frustrated horse owner lol. It just seems so frustrating that such a minor injury can have such a major effect on the ponios Arrrrghhhh

M*M's to share x

 

[jofwigby]

I would if he's sound and will keep a waterproof "dressing" on. I use an old feed sack & electrical tape over the top of dressings / vetwrap. We used to have access to a crew yard (like for cattle) which was all hardstanding which was useful too.

Mine used to get so depressed not being able to go out and I'm sure it must aid healing if they can get out with their mates.

 

[GoodyGoody]

Just to be clear: the hole was in the frog? Which part of the frog? Did the hole go through to the live tissue and did you manage to remove all the infected tissue. I use warm water to clean the hoof and a disinfectant on the infected area for a few days. The last thing I do is cover it up as that just creates a perfect environment for bacteria and yes, then the need for antibiotics. Keep it clean and washed and keep a close eye on it.

 

[xxMozlarxx]

To answer your question, yes I would turnout for a few hours if it's not raining and hoof is dressed and waterproof. I think box rest can cause as many problems as it solves. You must be well on the way to healing now.

 

[Sauerkraut]

Thanks for the replies girls.

The puncture was just right next to the central groove of the frog and yes it was life tissue you could see. Not to start with as it was a very small hole but vet cut the frog around it off with a hoove knife to get the puss out. I have changed to cold/dry poultice now and just a bandage to not keep the whole hoove waterproof anymore to let it dry out. I will put some duct tape on later before turning him out on the tiny paddock tho. I just don't want it get infected again.

I will wait another week or two to get the shoe back on so it won't upset foot.

Thanks again everyone.