What to do with an abscess?

T

traditionalcobgirl

Well-Known Member
Joined
31 January 2014
Messages
99
Visit site
My pony has/had an abscess. It was dug out by the vet and I hot poulticed for about 3 days, then I dry poulticed and had more puss come out than I had when hot poulticing. I have continued to dry poultice and nothing is coming out now. If you look at the hole it is only small and is just a hole with some dried puss inside. I got the dried puss out as best I could and poulticed again last night, this morning he had pulled the poultice off and there was shavings and poo packed in it, i cleaned it out and noticed that the hole looked closed up with black stuff.

My question is, has anyone experienced this? When can I stop poulticing? I don't want to put him out with a hole in his foot which could get reinfected.
 
I never box rest for abscesses as movement helps solve it. You could tub the foot and clean it, put a poultice on with lots of gaffer tape on the bottom and pop him out. I have learnt the knack of getting them to stay on for 12 hours, but I had a few come off before that. Again I would just tub, clean and put another on.

If he's sound and the hole looks closed, then you could just stick him out with a naked hoof, if you are brave enough. If not I don't see any harm in dry poulticing for a couple more days.
 
He is going out anyway Faracat, but he is in at night for other reasons. He has been a very good patient and my poultices stayed on for ages but now hes fed up so he is snatching his foot and pulling them off with his teeth! When he is out he has hoof boots on to keep the poultice on (he plays a lot so didnt want to risk it coming off). I am not sure if it is closed up or clogged up with dry puss/dirt, should it be black?
 
OK, more information is good. :)

If he's getting fed up then I would probably tub the hoof and then chuck him out, and then tub again on bringing him in. No point in getting your head kicked in by accident.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top