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  Discussion on Wrapping a hoof due to abscess
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Member:
Tweeter

Posted on Monday, Jul 31, 2006 - 9:02 pm:

Hi Dr O:
I have a 10yr old qh gelding who developed a abscess. My blacksmith dug a little to release some of the puss however after 4 days it was no better so I had the vet out. The vet confirmed the abscess and dug deeper with his hoof knife and at first got black/brown puss and then blood (it was really bleeding bad). This was last Monday so 1 full week has passed. Treatment has been soaking in warm salts twice daily (20minutes each) then drying the hoof (I use the hair dryer) packing with drawing salve and then wrapping. I use gauze pads, then wrap with gauze and then 2 vet wraps around the entire hoof up to the cornet band. The horse has also been on 1 gr bute morning and night. He gets turned out to pasture at night because the vet wants him to move around to stimulate blood flow. Question is the horse is still sore, very sore. If I run my finger over the dug out area he flinches and it will bleed if I am not careful cleaning it. Does this sound normal should it still be that sore after a week? When he gets turned out at night he will walk but goes very very slow and is extra careful where he steps even with the bandage on. Any help would be appreciated. I hate to see him in such pain but worry about the bute causing other problems.
Thanks
Kathy
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 1, 2006 - 7:03 am:

While it is normal for the exposed sensitive tissue to be sensitive to the touch and bleed easily, has the lameness improved? If you are worried about the bute you should read Treatments and Medications for Horses » Anti-inflammatories (NSAID's, Steroids, Arthritis Rx) » Phenylbutazone (Bute).


It is more important to get the area that has pared away clean and bandaged properly than worry about a little bleeding which is of no consequence by itself. It does sound like the horse may be lame because the exposed area is remaining inflamed and there can be several reasons for this with local infection and prolapsed sensitive tissue being the most likely. I want you to carefully read Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Hoof Abscesses, Bruises, and Gravels, where we address these common complications. Pay particular attention to the part about the daily treatment and see if you can see differences. The other possibility is that the abscess contines not to drain or there is another cause of lameness but until you get rid of the sensitivity at the pared open spot it would be my main focus.
DrO
Member:
Tweeter

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 16, 2006 - 8:31 pm:

Dr.O:
Well I just wanted to let you know that after following the daily treatment outlined here on HA my gelding finally went sound. As of yesterday he is off of the bute and no need to wrap when turning out. He walks what I would call "a little careful" until he hits the grass and then he is perfect. My blacksmith is recommending shoes with pads. Do you think it is ok to put on a pad? Thanks again for the great treatment advise.
Kathy
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Aug 17, 2006 - 8:29 am:

I prefer to avoid it if possible so that I can keep the newly formed horn clean and dry. If the farrier feels the hole needs protection perhaps a rim pad can protect the defect from ground irregularities while allowing access to it.
DrO
Member:
Sswiley

Posted on Thursday, Aug 17, 2006 - 10:56 am:

Here is a compromise that I came up with. Our pony just under went a hoof resection. She has an eggbar on her hoof with no pad because I need to keep and eye on the resected area and keep it clean. I bought a lightweight pad at my local feed store, cut it out to fit inside the shoe, cut a small hole in the middle. The small hole in the middle is just big enough to get my hoof pick through and pop the pad out. She only wears it when we walk her down the road or any place that might have rocks. It works really well and stays in if you get it fit right.
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