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Discussion on Abscess and the hollow foot
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Member:
Belhaven
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Posted on Tuesday, Dec 23, 2003 - 7:24 pm:
My 5yo had an abscess that must have been brewing for over 2 months. It finally blew out the coronet and was about 2 1/2 inches long. We xrayed the foot and the vet said there was nothing abnormal he could see.
Since then I have noticed when I pick out that foot, the side where the abscess is sounds completely hollow-the difference in the "sound" of the clunking between one side of the hoof and the other is SIGNIFICANT.
He is now about 95% sound on that foot. He is also a barefoot horse.
What is the risk in starting him back in light walking and hill work. His muscle on his hind end has atrophied a good bit so I was hoping to jump start that end of his rehab since he is sound at the walk.
Is there a high risk his coffin bone could shift or that the side of the hoof could just shatter away?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Dec 24, 2003 - 6:25 am:
Since we cannot examine the foot Leah, we do not know. However I don't think there is much chance of a shattering or shifting coffin bone but it does sound like this needs to be investigated. The abscess may have undermined a significant amount of horn resulting in a large defect that would be best if paired out before it abscesses again. We have found substantial cases of white line disease solely on the hollow sound of the foot.
DrO
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Member:
Belhaven
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Posted on Wednesday, Dec 24, 2003 - 1:20 pm:
Thank you-to give you a timeline. He started showing discomfort at the end of October. The abscess blew around the 5th of November. On the 14th of November my vet xrayed the foot and did not find any problems. I guess as the foot grows, the damaged part is growing down which is likely why I am noticing the hollow sound.
The foot has grown a good bit and looks "normal" from the outside-other than the line that is growing down.
I had hoped to start some hill walking and just was worried that my extra weight could further damage an already weak structure...the frustrating part is it could take 8 months or more for the whole thing to grow out.
Lessons learned on improper trimming.
I will discuss pairing the foot with my trimmer.
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Member:
Dres
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Posted on Wednesday, Dec 24, 2003 - 2:39 pm:
I think Leah if you are even questioning the hill riding and what it MIGHT do to the hoof.. i would follow my gut feeling and NOT... why add more stress to something that is not fully grown out or healed..?
an ounce of prevention......
Ann
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