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  Discussion on Abcess popped at coronet band
Author Message
New Member:
Taraku

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 23, 2005 - 12:41 am:

My 10 y.o QH mare was suddenly dead lame on her left hind last week. I had the vet out, who diagnosed her as having a muscle strain in the stifle area as she tested negative with the hoof testers. Anyway, 3 days later, an abcess had popped at the coronet band and lameness was 90% resolved. The opening to the abcess is a line, approx 3/4" long.

This mare has very shelly feet and has to have shoes on or her feet totally disintegrate. I live on Maui, so weather is always pretty good, and as a result, do not have a barn to keep her stalled while she is healing. The pasture is dry, no mud.

Since the abcess opened, 2 days ago, I have been soaking 1x/day in a Betadine/epsom bath and there is almost no further drainage. I have not put any type of dressing or wrap on it since I don't know that it will stay on and I have heard that the goal is to keep things as dry as possible.

Should I remove the shoe, knowing her hoof wall will crumble, or can I leave it on, as things seem to be healing well enough?

Also, is there anything else I should be doing for treatment?

What indications will there be that things have resolved and treatment can end?

Advise is much appreciated because, with Maui being so isolated, there aren't many places to turn.

Thanks!
Tara
Member:
Annes

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 23, 2005 - 1:14 pm:

It sounds like you are well on the road to recovery. My vet always has me soak for 5-7 days even though it appears that everything has drained. I always wrap (even with the opening at the top) because I am afraid of contamination while the wound is still open. (there are great instructions on this site for wrapping with gauze, vetwrap and duct tape and it really stays on). I do not think you would need to remove the shoe. The opening should start closing up with no lameness and you should see improvement each day. Sometimes an antibiotic is in order if the conditions suggest a high probability of infection but it is not the norm. You are lucky that your pastures are dry - every time my horses have an abscess, it is muddy and rainy which always makes it more difficult. Hope your horse is 100% real soon. - Ann
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 23, 2005 - 11:31 pm:

Tara,
This is called a gravel. We have our recommendations for treating them at,
Equine Diseases » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Hoof Abscesses, Bruises, and Gravels.
DrO
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