Post by IH Health on Nov 12, 2010 14:35:55 GMT 1
Hoof Abscess
What is it?
An abscess is essentially an infection within the hoof of the horse which causes puss to form and causes pressure and pain. Abscesses can be extremely painful and come on very quickly (in a matter of hours). Abscesses will look for the path of least resistance to come out. Sometimes they will travel up the foot and burst at the coronary band, sometimes they will come out of the sole.
Causes
Abscesses are normally caused by bacterial infection. Bacteria can enter through the foot due to a puncture or injury to the sole and frog. Bacteria can also travel into the foot through cracks in the hoof wall or damage to the white line.
Symptoms
Lameness - horses are often nodding lame with abscesses but depending on the stage of the abscess and the size of the infection this can vary
Puss (not always present at onset of symptoms)
Swollen lower leg
Increased digital pulse
Heat (not always present)
Diagnosis
Unless your horse has had abscesses before and you know exactly what you are looking at, the diagnosis should always been done by either your vet or farrier - mainly to exclude any other serious injury that could give the same symptoms. Often a hoof tester will be used to find the location of the abscess (the horse will exhibit soreness in that area).
Treatment
There are many ways in which people treat abscesses. Most depends on what your horse will tolerate. The first step should always be an attempt to relieve the pressure. A vet or farrier may dig into the sole to relieve the puss build up - don't ever try this yourself if you are inexperienced as the foot is a complicated thing and you might make things worse.
The other option is to wet poultice to encourage the puss out of the sole. You can use Animalintex and vet wrap (or similar products) or nappies are a good substitute and less fiddly. Duct tape the nappy on and if your horse is turned out use a poultice boot (canvas ones are inexpensive and can last awhile). Change at least twice a day. There are also special poultice boots available in many equestrian shops.
Bathing in warm water and Epsom salts (in a bucket, allow your horse to stand in the bucket if they will!) will also soften the sole and encourage the infection out.
Keep the foot clean.
Wet poultice until all of the puss is out then dry poultice for at least a week (if your horse has an obvious puncture would dry poultice until it has healed or the horse is sound).
Treatments such as White Lightening or Cleantrax can be used every few days to give any wounds a good clean out, reducing the risk of re-infection. If you want to go down the natural root Pioneer White Line Disease Balm has good antibiotic/antiseptic properties.
Some vets will encourage stable rest or restricted turnout to stop the horse from damaging any sensitive structures in the hoof whilst the pressure is there.
Shod horses may need their shoe removed in the affected hoof.
If the horse has a puncture would and is not vaccinated, a tetanus antibody injection should be recommended.
Controversial treatments
Bute - bute is for pain relief and anti-inflammatory use and is often described by vets as horses are seen in pain. The problem is bute vasodilates the blood vessels, further reducing circulation in the foot. Speak to your vet as to the best for your horse.
Antibiotics - your horse has an infection, antibiotics should help right? Not necessarily, the antibiotics may only temporarily stop the abscess, for it to reform again when the course stops.
Websites (click on title for link)
Hoof Abscess
Previous discussions (click on title for link)
Help please abscess won't clear up
Would you use a hoof boot with an abscess?
Abscess treatment - your experiences
Abcess with no puss?
+ more in the search section!
Please post below any information you have on this subject or of your experiences in diagnosis/treatment/aftercare. All information given is for reference only and does not constitute or should replace qualified veterinarian advice.
What is it?
An abscess is essentially an infection within the hoof of the horse which causes puss to form and causes pressure and pain. Abscesses can be extremely painful and come on very quickly (in a matter of hours). Abscesses will look for the path of least resistance to come out. Sometimes they will travel up the foot and burst at the coronary band, sometimes they will come out of the sole.
Causes
Abscesses are normally caused by bacterial infection. Bacteria can enter through the foot due to a puncture or injury to the sole and frog. Bacteria can also travel into the foot through cracks in the hoof wall or damage to the white line.
Symptoms
Lameness - horses are often nodding lame with abscesses but depending on the stage of the abscess and the size of the infection this can vary
Puss (not always present at onset of symptoms)
Swollen lower leg
Increased digital pulse
Heat (not always present)
Diagnosis
Unless your horse has had abscesses before and you know exactly what you are looking at, the diagnosis should always been done by either your vet or farrier - mainly to exclude any other serious injury that could give the same symptoms. Often a hoof tester will be used to find the location of the abscess (the horse will exhibit soreness in that area).
Treatment
There are many ways in which people treat abscesses. Most depends on what your horse will tolerate. The first step should always be an attempt to relieve the pressure. A vet or farrier may dig into the sole to relieve the puss build up - don't ever try this yourself if you are inexperienced as the foot is a complicated thing and you might make things worse.
The other option is to wet poultice to encourage the puss out of the sole. You can use Animalintex and vet wrap (or similar products) or nappies are a good substitute and less fiddly. Duct tape the nappy on and if your horse is turned out use a poultice boot (canvas ones are inexpensive and can last awhile). Change at least twice a day. There are also special poultice boots available in many equestrian shops.
Bathing in warm water and Epsom salts (in a bucket, allow your horse to stand in the bucket if they will!) will also soften the sole and encourage the infection out.
Keep the foot clean.
Wet poultice until all of the puss is out then dry poultice for at least a week (if your horse has an obvious puncture would dry poultice until it has healed or the horse is sound).
Treatments such as White Lightening or Cleantrax can be used every few days to give any wounds a good clean out, reducing the risk of re-infection. If you want to go down the natural root Pioneer White Line Disease Balm has good antibiotic/antiseptic properties.
Some vets will encourage stable rest or restricted turnout to stop the horse from damaging any sensitive structures in the hoof whilst the pressure is there.
Shod horses may need their shoe removed in the affected hoof.
If the horse has a puncture would and is not vaccinated, a tetanus antibody injection should be recommended.
Controversial treatments
Bute - bute is for pain relief and anti-inflammatory use and is often described by vets as horses are seen in pain. The problem is bute vasodilates the blood vessels, further reducing circulation in the foot. Speak to your vet as to the best for your horse.
Antibiotics - your horse has an infection, antibiotics should help right? Not necessarily, the antibiotics may only temporarily stop the abscess, for it to reform again when the course stops.
Websites (click on title for link)
Hoof Abscess
Previous discussions (click on title for link)
Help please abscess won't clear up
Would you use a hoof boot with an abscess?
Abscess treatment - your experiences
Abcess with no puss?
+ more in the search section!
Please post below any information you have on this subject or of your experiences in diagnosis/treatment/aftercare. All information given is for reference only and does not constitute or should replace qualified veterinarian advice.