Sub Solar Abscess

[KLB822445]

Hi

Looking for some advice/experience from others that may have had a horse with a sub solar abcess! My gelding was found with a small nail in the hoof, penetrated about 1cm. Vet came out and confirmed it was an abscess, treated with bute, polticed with animalintrax. 2 weeks later, pus still coming from the hoof. Horse put on a course of antibiotics, carried on soaking, epsom salts, poultice etc etc. Another vet call out X-Rays have been taken, no damage to Pedal bone or bone infection showing, there was a dead tissue around the frong which was trimmed away (very smelly). He's now on another course of antibiotics, crushed up and paked into the hoof. Horse is still not weight baring on the said hoof, he will stand with it flat to the floor, but then walks on his toe. It's as if it's become a habit not to walk properly it that makes sense??? He's fine in himself, eating, moving around never had a temperature. I'm going to try a vetericyn hoof soak and see if that helps. Any thoughts/advice/experiences welcome!

 

[Highmileagecob]

From your description, it sounds like there is some heel pain. Does that tally with the position of the abscess? Entirely possible that you may have two things going on - the antibiotics could have disrupted the gut flora, and thrush has now got a hold. Maybe ask your farrier to take a look and ask him/her to point out any thrush, weak heels etc.. Have you tried using a padded hoof boot to see if horse will place his foot properly? Even a foam cut out duct taped to the foot may help.

 

[KLB822445]

From your description, it sounds like there is some heel pain. Does that tally with the position of the abscess? Entirely possible that you may have two things going on - the antibiotics could have disrupted the gut flora, and thrush has now got a hold. Maybe ask your farrier to take a look and ask him/her to point out any thrush, weak heels etc.. Have you tried using a padded hoof boot to see if horse will place his foot properly? Even a foam cut out duct taped to the foot may help.

Thank you for your reply. The abscess was more around the frog area, and yes it did travel up to the heel area! The farrier came out last week, he didn't mention thrush, but confirmed it was one hell of a subsolar abcess! I will purchase some padded memory foam pads to put in his hood boot. Thanks again

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would padd the foot with foam and nappies the heel is probably really sore.

 

[KLB822445]

I would padd the foot with foam and nappies the heel is probably really sore.

Thank you!

 

[Highmileagecob]

Men's flip flops make good emergency foam pads! Cut off the strappy bits, stand hoof on a wide bit and draw round. Easy to cut with scissors.

 

[KLB822445]

From your description, it sounds like there is some heel pain. Does that tally with the position of the abscess? Entirely possible that you may have two things going on - the antibiotics could have disrupted the gut flora, and thrush has now got a hold. Maybe ask your farrier to take a look and ask him/her to point out any thrush, weak heels etc.. Have you tried using a padded hoof boot to see if horse will place his foot properly? Even a foam cut out duct taped to the foot may help.

So, yesterday I saw on the CCTV camera that his poultuce and boot had somehow come off!! and he was standing and walking a little better. I went to see him, cleaned and soaked the hoof, re-poulticed (animalintrax, nappy and vet wrap) and he's back to non-weight bearing and dragging the hoof/toe walking :-(.........is it time for another vet catch up? I really don't want to have to put him through the surgery option to flush out if I can help it. Or, will as others have experienced, it might take months to heal properly?

 

[Highmileagecob]

If the abscess is now draining, could you leave it open to the air? Sometimes movement is the best thing to get circulation going again. Continued dressing runs the risk of a chunk of hoof wall lifting away and causing more issues.

 

[KLB822445]

If the abscess is now draining, could you leave it open to the air? Sometimes movement is the best thing to get circulation going again. Continued dressing runs the risk of a chunk of hoof wall lifting away and causing more issues.

I really don't know tbh! My vet is on holiday today, he's ringing me tomorrow afternoon............

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I think they can do a standing surgery for that they did a pedal bone scrape and flush for my mare stood in her stable years ago.

I would try and get the horse in the field so boot pad so his comfortable moving about helps, and maybe see if you can give some pain relief they paracetamol for laminitis now as its good for hoof pain, and because its not an anti inflammatory it doesn't hinder the abcess draining.

 

[KLB822445]

I think they can do a standing surgery for that they did a pedal bone scrape and flush for my mare stood in her stable years ago.

I would try and get the horse in the field so boot pad so his comfortable moving about helps, and maybe see if you can give some pain relief they paracetamol for laminitis now as its good for hoof pain, and because its not an anti inflammatory it doesn't hinder the abcess draining.

wow, really! I wasn't aware they could do things like that mobile! that would be so much easier for him, as he's nervy travelling at the best of times. Thanks, I will look into it!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

wow, really! I wasn't aware they could do things like that mobile! that would be so much easier for him, as he's nervy travelling at the best of times. Thanks, I will look into it!

It was pretty graphic the vet literally drilled a hole in the pedal bone and then chipped it away while she stood up sedated obviously.

 

[KLB822445]

It was pretty graphic the vet literally drilled a hole in the pedal bone and then chipped it away while she stood up sedated obviously.

What was the post op care like? box rest/dressing changes I presume? Thanks for all your input!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

What was the post op care like? box rest/dressing changes I presume? Thanks for all your input!

Sge had a bandage on for a while then my farrier fitted a surgical plate once that came off, it's just a shoe with a cover on the bottom that you un screw off to get to the hole, I had to flush it with iodine twice a day and pack it with iodine soaked cotton wool.

She was on some powerful antibiotics for weeks bug syringes of the stuff I think they call it chicken antibiotics don't know why.

She was on Box rest from December until the beginning of March it's amazing how quick the hole closes up.

 

[KLB822445]

Sge had a bandage on for a while then my farrier fitted a surgical plate once that came off, it's just a shoe with a cover on the bottom that you un screw off to get to the hole, I had to flush it with iodine twice a day and pack it with iodine soaked cotton wool.

She was on some powerful antibiotics for weeks bug syringes of the stuff I think they call it chicken antibiotics don't know why.

She was on Box rest from December until the beginning of March it's amazing how quick the hole closes up.

Thank you! He's already had the 'Chicken' antibiotics He's been referred to the equine hospital. Fingers crossed for us!! xx

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Thank you! He's already had the 'Chicken' antibiotics He's been referred to the equine hospital. Fingers crossed for us!! xx

I hope they manage to sort it for you please let me know how it goes

I wonder if they are literally for chickens

 

[meleeka]

I hope they manage to sort it for you please let me know how it goes

I wonder if they are literally for chickens

I think they are if it's the one I had in a bottle. My vet said it isn't licenced for horses, but is used when other antibiotics haven't or won't work.