Tiny Poultice Boot?

[MurphysMinder]

I'm sorry I know this should probably be in Veterinary but need lots of people to see it. Our donkey has had a problem with foot abscesses this year, one in January, then one about a month ago which we thought was sorted but flared up again big time. He is currently in having it poulticed daily and is improving well, but he has a fairly large hole in his foot where the farrier and vet have been digging at it. Vet has said ideally he should be turned out in a poultice boot to stop muck getting in it, but he has a tiny little foot. Do any of you good people have any idea where I could get a donkey sized poultice boot, or does anyone have any other ideas about keeping his foot clean when he goes out? Unfortunately our field is very wet at the moment so just using a bandage wouldn't work. Some good hard frosts would help!

 

[Bettyboo1976]

Use a black bin linner double over a few times and trimmed to size, vetwrap, then another bin linner then bandage and tape.. it worked on my horse.

 

[joey1999]

Dinky Rugs sell small poultice boots and they have a website.

 

[MurphysMinder]

Ooh thank you, will have a look. The bin bag idea is also worth knowing, thanks.

 

[Bettyboo1976]

I only did the bin bag because the police boot got really manky in the wet etc, this was less time consuming that having to wash and dry the police boot every night

 

[MurphysMinder]

Did you have to change the bin bag daily, I would worry things would get a bit hot and sweaty in it. If you have to wash and dry the poultice boot suppose that would mean I would need to buy 2. Have to say though, bless him, have had donk for 21 years and this is the first year he has had any problems so shouldn't really begrudge the cost.

 

[Bettyboo1976]

I changed the bag twice daily along with the poltice

 

[MurphysMinder]

Thanks. The idea is that by the time he is turned out he will not need to be poulticed, so was hoping to only check/change once a day. Will have to see how it goes I suppose. Problem is that he is an absolute little b***er to do anything to. Whilst he was feeling really sorry for himself it ws fine but he is getting more awkward every day. Was ok this weekend as daughter was home to help (good vet training) but she is back at uni and I have to do it on my own. He has a tendency to either bite your bum whilst your doing it, or throws himself on the floor! I'm going to speak to the people at Dinky Rugs about boot, but don't want to spend £24 for something which I suspect he will chew off. Thanks again for the ideas, this forum is absolutely great.

 

[Bettyboo1976]

i used to feed and do poultice at the same time if that helps.. head in bucket doesnt bite bum.. you just have to be quick.. or put a swede in the bucket keeps them occupied while you faf with feet.

 

[MurphysMinder]

Have tried that, I think donkeys are a totally different thing to horses. Can bribe horse with food whilst doing things but not donk. He was a sort of rescue when we got him (not illtreated just not looked after properly) and took us a couple of years to even be able to pick up his feet so all things considered he is pretty good now. Will let you know how we go on!

 

[Bettyboo1976]

Well good luck, and I hope he gets better soon...


OOh i do love donks ... Soo sweet!

 

[MurphysMinder]

Sweet!! You haven't tried to poultice ones foot!

 

[beatrice]

Vetwrap.......couple of sandwich bags and duct tape!!

Have turned out many a horse in this combination and it never moves (as long as you put enough duct tape on the bottom of foot!

I changed them at least twice a day.