What is the longest time an abscess takes to burst?

I know. I wanted that x ray done. If it is an abscess then great. I will be delighted. But I was willing to pay there and then for my own peace of mind. The vet also said the horse is 'sensitive', i.e., low pain threshold, because she is limping so badly for an abscess. Well we haven't found an abscess yet so let's hold that thought. I am not giving her the antibiotics. I told them that we leave the abscesses to burst out of the sole or coronary band in the UK and we don't give antibiotics, but the were having none of it. I pray for signs of an abscess on Friday, but if there isn't, and they don't x ray, I will fly a flipping vet over from the UK!!
 
They said that 5 days is quite normal for the course of an abscess. It has been over a week now. I told them that i stopped the bute and antibiotics on Saturday because I wasnt sure they were helping. And they said, well it makes sense that she is worse now. She isn't worse, that is the thing. She is no different. I will be so happy if this is an abscess, but I wish they would have x rayed, and why on earth are they prescribing antibiotics?!
 
If she deteriorates at all, then I will be yelling down the phone to get out here and get this blinking x ray done. They are the only equine vets in my area, and when I say area, they cover hundred of miles. But I am looking online now for any others that may come out and give a second opinion.
 
Nerve blocks in the foot will dissipate throughout the foot within a few minutes (2-5 mins) and therefore will block more of the foot than originally intended, this is why my vet told me. So if they blocked the back, and then worked up more than 2-3 mins after then the block could have been for the toe also.

However, my gut about this is telling me it is not an abscess, they tend to be more intermittent, and not so dependent on what terrain the horse is on. I have my fingers crossed for you OP.
 
Hi
My boy has been prone to abscess in the past.
One grumbled on for 3 months, he was never terribly lame and I think giving antibiotics and bute prolonged the time for that one.
Another abscess made him go from trotting and cantering in a schooling session to unable to stand on that leg within 2 hours. I was convinced he must've fractured his pedal bone. Cue sunday vet call out..... Turned out to be an abscess, although the vet couldn't find it, and we ended up poulticing the hoof and it burst out. I did give bute for that occasion as I don't think it is right to leave a horse unable to weight bear because of pain.
In your case OP, I'd probably give analgesia..... whatever is causing the lameness, just so your girl can stand and walk. I would also either try and get a new vet. ( hard I realise ) or tell this vet to get themselves back and do the x ray. I think it is becoming unacceptable for you now.

Kx
 
Circe said:
I did give bute for that occasion as I don't think it is right to leave a horse unable to weight bear because of pain.
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I agree if you mean you buted after it had burst, but not before.

I believe it's right to withhold anti inflammatories (bute/danilon) if the alternative is to reduce the inflammatory response that allows it to eat its way out, prolonging the overall time that the horse is lame.
 
Circe said:
Hi
My boy has been prone to abscess in the past.
One grumbled on for 3 months, he was never terribly lame and I think giving antibiotics and bute prolonged the time for that one.
Another abscess made him go from trotting and cantering in a schooling session to unable to stand on that leg within 2 hours. I was convinced he must've fractured his pedal bone. Cue sunday vet call out..... Turned out to be an abscess, although the vet couldn't find it, and we ended up poulticing the hoof and it burst out. I did give bute for that occasion as I don't think it is right to leave a horse unable to weight bear because of pain.
In your case OP, I'd probably give analgesia..... whatever is causing the lameness, just so your girl can stand and walk. I would also either try and get a new vet. ( hard I realise ) or tell this vet to get themselves back and do the x ray. I think it is becoming unacceptable for you now.

Kx
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It is interesting to hear if people's experiences with abscesses. It is really hard to know what to do. She is still hobbling around. I decided to give the antibiotics in the end, after talking it over with a friend. The vet opened her hoof up with the hoof knife and without cleaning the area or knife. So she is likely to develop an infection because the procedure was dirty. I am taking it each day at a time. Any signs of her deteriorating and they will be called back.
 
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