What is this? An abscess?

[CanteringCarrot]

I can only hope that this is the abscess that I've been waiting for instead of a more sinister hind leg (a bit swollen and lame) cause. Vet suspects a fractured splint bone and possible soft tissue involvement due to swelling on the inside of a hind leg. I thought abscess. Could be both because horses.

I thought that one of his heel bulbs was a bit swollen and soft. I stick my finger into a soft spot (because that's the type of person that I am) and heard a wet noise then a little bit of this putrid stuff bubbled out.

Would you say an abscess that's exiting at the heel or some other funk?

Edit: meant to put this Veterinary and Hoof care ?

 

[Caol Ila]

That looks very abscessy. Fingers crossed that's causing all of his lameness. I suppose an infection in the foot could spread up the leg.

 

[maddielove]

That looks like a pretty nasty abscess to me, I think the heel ones can be extra painful. If it's tracked up enough to come out of the top of the foot then it would make sense for some swelling to be further up the leg too I think.

 

[tda]

Yes

 

[CanteringCarrot]

A swollen leg can definitely accompany an abscess, as far as I know. It was mostly on the inside of the leg (side the abscess is on).

It was odd because he was quite lame and then a bit better yesterday, so then I wasn't sure because usually with an abscess the lameness worsens?

Hopefully that's all he's got going on. ?

 

[Caol Ila]

I've seen abscesses improve, then get worse again, just to confuse us and make it harder to diagnose.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I don't know if it's a good thing if he's on antibiotics and Bute though. I've always just let them run their course.

Vet did anti inflammatory meds so we could reduce swelling for imaging tomorrow, and antibiotics due to the swelling and hot weather (he thought it friendly for bacteria...I have other thoughts but yeah). This was prior to this burst and he didn't think there was an abscess, but my gut did.

 

[eggs]

My yearling had an abscess some years ago and his leg swelled up so much it looked like he had completely blown his tendon.

Sometimes an abscess can grumble on for a while and they can come sound and go lame again depending on where the infection is sitting.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I've seen abscesses improve, then get worse again, just to confuse us and make it harder to diagnose.

Horses, eh? Must be horsecode 101 to confuse and stress your caretakers.

 

[AandK]

Lameness from abscesses can definitely wax and wane, also have seen them with leg swelling too.

 

[PurBee]

Why do i click on these threads while eating? ?
Yep, concur with others, looks abscessy, exiting thankfully

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I'm so happy right now ?

 

[ycbm]

Yes. I would pump that full of hydrogen peroxide at 3% strength, shoved in with a syringe as hard as you can, at least twice a day, and stand him in a tub of hot salt water twice a day too. . Poultices aren't effective when something is draining upwards, it needs flushing.
.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

So then, should I do an epsom salt soak and wrap or?

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Yes. I would pump that full of hydrogen peroxide at 3% strength, shoved in with a syringe as hard as you can, at least twice a day, and stand him in a tub of hot salt water twice a day too. . Poultices aren't effective when something is draining upwards, it needs flushing.
.

I'll see if we have some, if not I'll grab some tomorrow morning.

 

[TPO]

I'd say abscess too

Obv I'm not a vet but when I had a horse with chronic abscessing the advice was not to use antibiotics as that keeps it "in house" when you want all the gunk out

Edited to add my chronic abscessor was also out of heel bulb(s). There was a tract from the middle of the frog up to the heels so that was flushed and very thoroughly dried twice a day before poulticing. I think I just flushed with water in a syringe as it was the pressure needed to clean the tract rather than anything else.

Lots of nappies and duct tape!

 

[CanteringCarrot]

He didn't eat all of the antibiotics this morning so he's helping that cause ?

 

[ycbm]

The antibiotics shouldn't cause a problem now it's broken open, only if it was still encapsulated.
.

 

[ycbm]

So then, should I do an epsom salt soak and wrap or?

Personally I flush and soak and chuck them out to walk it off and pump the gunk out.
.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I only have betadine at the moment. So I'll have to make a supply run.

 

[ester]

Well this is good news!

 

[Fieldlife]

I'd postpone all further vet diagnostics!

 

[ecb89]

My lad had a horrific abscess recently. We had to get the vet out to sedate as farrier couldn’t get near him. He was completely crippled. Farrier dug it out near the base of the frog. It also burst out the heel. You know it’s a good one when the vet takes photos ?

 

[Archangel]

Excellent photos.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Excellent photos.

I was so pleased that I had my phone in my back pocket so that I could easily take it out and take some photos ?