Lady E, I have seen a million abscesses, but last year was the first time I saw one that infected the coffin bone. I never want to see that again; that’s why I don’t take abscesses lightly, and I do everything I can in order to help the hoof heal. Knock on wood, I have dealt with many abscesses myself and have not had to call the vet for one yet.
[QUOTE=Frizzle;8187992]
Lady E, I have seen a million abscesses, but last year was the first time I saw one that infected the coffin bone. I never want to see that again; that’s why I don’t take abscesses lightly, and I do everything I can in order to help the hoof heal. Knock on wood, I have dealt with many abscesses myself and have not had to call the vet for one yet.[/QUOTE]
Yabbut, that wasn’t what she asked. I’ve seen one coffin bone infection, and believe me that horse presented very differently than a garden-variety abscess; non-weight-bearing and with a fever of 105. He went to the clinic EXPRESS, and did just fine.
We had another who had constant, recurrent, unremitting abscesses in both hind feet, so we DID x-ray him suspecting bone lesions–and turns out there were none. Obviously, if a horse has a greater than normal degree of disability, or it goes on too long, one would be smart to pursue it further.
What I was referring to is the commonly-recommended application of all kinds of topicals, soaking, drawing, wrapping, etc.–and I stand by my experience that just waiting works equally well. BTW, for YEARS we were not allowed to Bute–now they’ve backed away from that and say “keep him comfortable.”
Farrier was out this morning; when trimming he found a small area of drainage in the toe area. Horse is walking sound. Farrier advised to leave it as is.
The one that I knew that had its coffin bone infected was sore, but no fever and definitely nowhere near 3-legged lame. He was turned out and took off bucking, and afterwards was very sore. Turns out he had chipped his coffin bone because it was weak from being infected.
The owner had asked the vet about possibly doing some chlorine dioxide soaks after the abscess had popped, but he had never heard of it so said no. I think a few soaks could have possibly prevented the coffin bone infection (then again, maybe it wouldn’t have). I figure doing a few WL soaks after the abscess has popped is pretty easy, cheap, and good insurance to make sure everything is healing, so I will continue doing so.
[QUOTE=Frizzle;8189227]
I figure doing a few WL soaks after the abscess has popped is pretty easy, cheap, and good insurance to make sure everything is healing, so I will continue doing so.[/QUOTE]
After careful consideration, I don’t think it’s really “good insurance” since soaking the foot is detrimental to hoof quality.
[QUOTE=Lady Eboshi;8187974]
Honest truth, if you do anything, everything, or absolutely NOTHING, the problem will resolve in the exact same time frame. :winkgrin:
And that’s coming from the Abscess Capital of the World, with the collective lifetime wisdom of 5 top vets behind it.
So do what you think may help, and makes you happy. Just don’t get kicked.[/QUOTE]
This had been my experience over many years.
I think “my area” could challenge “your area” for that “title”.
[QUOTE=saultgirl;8190754]
After careful consideration, I don’t think it’s really “good insurance” since soaking the foot is detrimental to hoof quality.[/QUOTE]
IMO and experience a lot of people “way over soak” to the point of softening the hoof wall. Which can have some serious consequences.
[QUOTE=saultgirl;8190754]
After careful consideration, I don’t think it’s really “good insurance” since soaking the foot is detrimental to hoof quality.[/QUOTE]
Chlorine dioxide soaks are completely different from your average epsom salt, etc. soak. Two totally different animals. :yes:
When friend’s horse popped his abscess, I rcommended the WL soaks. She told me that she read an article on thehorse.com that said vets don’t recommend soaking anymore. And that’s true, the article is there–but it’s from years ago, and there is a more recent article that says they recommend chlorine dioxide soaks after the abscess has popped. She’s currently doing chlorine dioxide soaks to battle the ongoing infection in her horses’s hoof.
Just want to add, too, that I no longer do epsom salt soaks for abscesses. Epsom salt poultice or icthamol with a Thermacare pad before it pops, chlorine dioxide soaks and icthamol afterwards. :yes: I agree that doing lots of “regular” soaks softens the hoof. My guy is barefoot and lives outside in SoFla, where we have both mud from “monsoon season,” and lots of coral rock, so I am very careful and picky about hoofcare.
