hoof abscess

[paso]

can anyone offer me some advice?:my pony went lame suddenly 6 days ago, vet suspected abscess or laminitis (chronic laminitis suffer) put her on bute and acp. Farrier came out couple of days later and found abscess. Been poulticing twice a day for 2 days, not sure if i'm getting anything out - small amount of slightly brown tinged gel??? farrier advised taking her off bute and acp. pony is still as lame. Not sure whether to get farrier to have another dig - was very painful for little relief or speak to vet. Feeling quite upset as not sure how much to put a 33 year old pony through?? some support/advice would be great

I've heard that packing the foot with manuka honey is very good for an abscess. I've not tried it myself as I've never had to deal with an abscess but I'd certainly be prepared to give it a try if other methods weren't working. If you get the farrier out again could you give her a dose of bute beforehand to take the edge off the pain? My sister's pony has a spavin and although he is sound to ride (vet told sis off for wrapping him in cotton wool and told her to take him out for a good trot!) he finds it difficult to stand on three legs for shoeing. A couple of bute in the morning really makes a difference. I hope your pony is ok, it's so hard when they get older isn't it?

at first thought 'but 13 is NOTHING' then re-read, 33!

we had abscess last year (from tiny tiny puncture wound to sole) that was difficult to drain, got subsequent bone infection, thought was a goner - irrigated daily, maybe twice daily (wasn't there at time so missed worst of it) but can't remember what we used. Am still paying off bills from that episode actually, anyway he did come right but while no spring chicken is a bit younger than yours. Good luck.

Have some experience with hoof absess's this end. I leave them alone and under no circumstances would I let a farrier or vet carve away at the sole... That's a bit like the doctor removing a sweat gland because you've got a blocked pore. It's only going to lengthen the problem.

They tend to get bad very quickly to the point of hopping lame, as soon as they burst there's an immediate improvement.

Keeping the exit site as clean as possible is important, is avoid stalling if possible and yucky fields. If you've got a padlock with dewy grass perfect!

Soak in warm salty water if you can, I've also read to soak in borax from the chemist.

I would be tempted to use bute because it's not nice to watch, but for antibiotics there would be the risk of prolonging the infection rather than the quick and fast burst.

Good luck!

There has to be a way for the abcess to drain though - which is the point of digging away at the hoof.

What sort of poultice are you using? Have you tried a salt and bran one?

I don't agree. An absess will always burst and IME 9 times out of 10 it will be on the coronet or back of the heel. This wound will heal in days.

You start hollowing out the sole of the foot and you create a large unclean hole which will take months to grow out.

Your call of course.

I had a pony with abcess, i had the farrier out twice to make sure it was clear and washed it in salt water twice a day for a week! Apart from that i left it alone and it healed well!
I agree with Alpinepony mostly!
Dettol is also very good!
I really did notice the difference once that farrier had drained it though, poor thing could barely walk before hand and after he seemed alot happier and comfortable!

Bute would probably take away the worst of the pain. But would definitely have it drained! It makes a huge difference!!

Thanks all. I'm waiting to hear back from my farrier, just thought there would be a quicker improvement once abscess found. I think bute before is good idea. Farrier finds they clear up quicker without bute, guess it comes to a head sooner?? hav read that they sometimes burst out the top instead too. Useing animalintex to poultice twice a day. Thanks for the support, it helps.

Ok, I can kind of see why you'd take it off bute, but The vet told me that ACP increases blood supply to the legs/feet, and surely that is a good thing?

Not sure if animalintex is supposed to do something special, but when our pony had an abcess, I started off using that to poultice, but then went onto washing it out in salt water and applying half a sanitary towel (max absorbency, nightime one) to draw out any matter, held in place with hoof bandage. Was very much cheaper, and worked a treat.

relieved to say pony much improved - she lives to fight another day! poulticing every 12 hrs was a nightmare with 2 little ones and hubby away.was finding it hard to be optamistic taking into account her age. i think hot tubbing it in salty water did the job really, luckily she was a star patient. will remember sanitary towel method for future! Thanks again