Purple Spray For Hoof Abscess?

[JHC]

Basically the abscess has broken out through the bulb of her near hind.

Is it OK to stop poulticing but clean daily with epsom salts and purple spray?

 

[be positive]

Keep tubbing and wet poulticing until it has stopped draining, then dry poultice for a few days to make absolutely sure it is clear, then you can dry it up with spray if you stop using a poultice too soon it may seal over without being fully drained and build up again.

 

[loobylu]

Agree with above. Although it is often said not to poultice for too long, keep going until you're absolutely sure, all it means is that you have to keep the foot dry for a bit longer afterwards to help it dry up. A soft foot is better than a bone infection!

 

[mightymammoth]

Basically the abscess has broken out through the bulb of her near hind.

Is it OK to stop poulticing but clean daily with epsom salts and purple spray?

I wouldn't stop hot and wet poulticing until its coming off clean then just dry poultice. Keep soaking in epsom salts as well if you can.
I've always been put off the purple spray as I get into such a mess with it

I know its a pain but it's really worth it trust me, twice last year my poor horse had reinfected abscess sites as with hindsight I didn't poultice for enough days .

 

[JHC]

Thankyou!

Nothing was coming out if the poultice for a week, then a load came out over a two day period, then went back to nothing again. Even with duct tape, nappy, feed bags over the poultice it would still fall off so the last two days she's had nothing on but after reading all this Im going to start doing.it again.

 

[rema]

Once the poultice is clean for a few days i flush out with Iodine and plug the hole with cotton wool covered in Stockholm Tar..I changed the cotton wool and re flushed everyday for a week.It worked for my abscess prone horse..

 

[mightymammoth]

Jhc try a hoof boot, I use a Davis boot which over a nappy and duct taped on has not come off even in this mud but not everyone finds them useful. This thread may be of use http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=577226

 

[Brightbay]

You don't need to be plugging an abscess break out at the heel bulb. And the movement of walking will have pumped out the pus pretty fast - it really is the best way for them to drain.

This way, they seem to seal from the inside out,and don't reinfect or cause any further problems (sometimes you get a bit of frog peeling off in a chunk). Purple spray should be fine. Last time I had one of these, I washed it out with saline twice a day, squirting it until clean, and then purple spray/disinfectant spray (and that was on full turnout). Better not to cover once pus has drained - you need it to harden off - the body is well on its way to healing itself, you just need to help it along a little.