I have a problem with abcesses in my horse....?

Question

She had an abcess from a nail about 6 years ago, and very little problem since. she abcessed in her right front at Thanksgiving, recovered nicely, was well for about 5 weeks, abcessed on the left front 1 week ago, the abcess blew out on her heel two days ago, and now has abcessed on left back today. The vet and farrier have both been out and looked at her multiple times in the past 2 weeks. They are both very reputable, and I trust them. lThey don't seem overly concerned. The latest was found with tester, but it is deep and cannot be isolated. We are packing to draw it out. If she is pain, we give her a shot of Banamine. Bute does not seem to help. She has her shoes off, I've been keeping her out of the muddy pasture, stall clean and dry, take her out and walk her on soft dirt when possible, if not, carefully in the barn walkway, so she at least gets to move around. With all of the rain, everything else is deep in mud.
Opinions? Help?

Answer 1

I'd consult another vet and farrier- I'm a retired veterinarian and most abscesses in a horses hoof is caused by improper shoeing or trimming, or trauma caused from a farrier mismanaging a nail and hitting the sole and causing an infection. I'm now the veterinarian at my own horse ranch and lead trainer and when any of my horses get an abscess or I get a call from a private client- I react quickly and try and end the problem as soon as possible.
When a horse gets an abscess there will be an excess of pus that tries to escape due to infection. Most of the time a small hole can be drilled to allow the pus to escape quicker. Sometimes if the infection is to deep in the hoof it'll have to drain out of the coronary band. This takes much longer and is more painful. If your equine was able to have a hole drilled to let the abscess infection escape cleaning it everyday is imperative and that you put a cotton ball or gauze in the hole to prevent manure or dirt from getting inside the hoof wall. If a hole is unable to be drilled soaking your horses foot each day in warm water and apple cider vinegar or linseed mash and wrapping daily. This will make the coronary band softer and easier for your equine to drain.
Walking your horse is a good idea- this will help increase circulation and the draining process.
Also your horses shoes should have been kept on during the healing process- if your horse has been shod for awhile when you take off the shoes his feet will be more susceptible to abscesses.
Since I gather from your info that your vet and farrier are doing very little to help you- I wouldn't consider them very reputable. I'd consult another vet and farrier who aren't just trying to make a paycheck and are wanting to help your equine heal.

Answer 2

very common for horses to get abcesses. if you think about it they live and stand 24/7 in pee and poop. no matter how much we clean it is what it is. soaking and packing is the best thing to do until the abcess pops. soak in epsom salts making sure the whole hoof is covered. there is a product that I love and swear by, made by 3M called poultice pads. you soak it in hot water and put it on with nothing else after you soak the hoof and within 2days or so the abcess has popped. put it on the hoof and duct tape on. just do it once daily until done. good luck and hope this helps

Answer 3

You need a second vet opinion. Animals don't lie when they are in pain.Recurrant abcesses can lead to a systemic infection, which is a death sentence.

Answer 4

Sulpher. Your horse needs a sulpher based compound to dry out the abcesses and heal. Ask a vet for help!!!

Answer 5

I heard leaches help! LOOK for "alternative" help asap as any vet. Its only an abscess. also I would pull all moisture out of her stall. maybe with a fan .

Answer 6

your question is to long