Possible Abscess in Foundered Horse: HELP

[lenapesadie]

Short version: I think my very thin soled founder horse has an abscess but don’t want to soak the whole foot bc I don’t want to soften his thin soles. What (if anything) could I apply under a bandage to help draw out abscess that wouldn’t soften the whole sole while I wait for vet to come next week? I have identified a small, soft, tender spot on sole of the lame foot.

Long version to follow

I’ve had a couple of threads about my elderly TB that I acquired a year and a half ago who recently had an acute (horrifying) laminitic attack and subsequent x rays showed founder. Looks chronic from some feathering at the top of P3. Mild rotation and sinking of P3 along with scary thin soles in both front feet. Laminitic attack presented as severe bilateral lameness.

Horse has a history of abscesses (most likely due to thin soles per vet). Horse is wearing Soft Ride boots 23/7 in his private dry paddock attached to his stall.

Horse was doing fairly well; moderately sound. Comfortable getting around paddock, rolling, occasionally kicking up his heels. Then he seemed to regress a bit. Less comfortable, not as active in paddock. At that time, it looked like possibly RF instead of bilateral. Spoke to vet. Vet advised to give Bute as necessary for comfort and to keep a close eye on horse. Follow up (3rd) visit scheduled for this upcoming week.

Friday and Saturday (yesterday) lameness worsens despite Bute. Definitely looks like RF. Check hooves carefully looking for increased digital pulse, heat, soft / tender spots. Find nothing, though my skill checking for the digital pulse is rudimentary at best.

Today, Sunday, horse seems moderately more comfortable (expected after 3 grams of Bute yesterday: horse weighs 1400 ish lbs). But still head bobbing lame on right front. Check hooves again. Find small spot on lateral / outside of hoof collateral groove near tip of frog about the size of a pencil eraser that is noticeably softer that horse reacts to when I press hard with just finger / hand pressure. No other places on either front hoof does horse react when I apply same pressure. React = flinch and jerk

I’m thinking either this horse is about to blow an abscess or his coffin bone is about to drop through his sole. Obviously I’m hoping it’s an abscess.

Normally I’d soak for suspected abscesses but since this horse has scary thin soles I’m hesitant to compromise the whole sole by soaking.

The Soft Ride boots fit very loosely. There is room for a moderately sized wrap. I’m thinking some sort of packing / poultice? Straight Epsom salts? Draw out salve? Something else? Smear something on the suspected site, cover with a bit of gauze and wrap?

As an aside, the Soft Rides have been super about staying dry. No issues with thrush despite it being full on monsoon season.

[Scribbler]

Abscess will resolve without treatment but treatment can help direct the abscess to a better place to erupt like heel bulbs rather than coronet band. If you think the abcess is trying to come out the frog that’s good. Maybe just pack something wet in that exact place. Like stuff some wet Animal Lintex in that collateral groove and put the boots back on. No need to soak the whole foot.

[lenapesadie]

I can grab animalintex stuff at Tractor Supply!!! I know they have it and the store is around the corner.

Horse has blown solar abscesses before. Also heel and coronet ones. This one definitely looks like it is coming out through the collateral groove or the edge of the frog.

I really don’t want to soak the whole foot but I am hoping to help this presumed abscess blow ASAP as him favoring this hoof isn’t ideal with his founder.

[SMF11]

You can put a toe warmer in the wrap, which may help draw the abscess. Ichthymol just on the suspected spot?

[Warmblood1]

You can soak in the epsom salt to help draw out inflammation and then pack and wrap with Magic Cushion. It will help reduce inflammation and the turpentine will toughen and dry out the soles. If there is swelling in the limb, I would poultice the limb and wrap with a no bow standing wrap.

[mmeqcenter]

I prefer a Sugardine pack to soaking for any general abscess, and it sounds like it would be ideal for your current situation.

Sugar + Betadine, make a paste, smother the sole, wrap it up

[lenapesadie]

I’m hesitant to soak bc of his thin soles. No limb swelling. He’s still puttering around in his paddock, eating and feisty enough to try and spit out his bute this am

[lenapesadie]

I’ve used sugardine for a solar abscess the farrier had to dig out a year ago. Hadn’t thought to use it before abscess blows though!

[lenapesadie]

I like the idea of a toe warmer. I just don’t have quick access to any as its high summer here in FL lol

Icthamol/draw out salve is available. I think vet wants to dig it out though!

[mmeqcenter]

Always works great for me!

[lenapesadie]

Will be applying shortly. I only have “sugar in the raw”. Brown sugar, large granules. I hope it’s fine

[Warmblood1]

@lenapesadie

I’m hesitant to soak bc of his thin soles. No limb swelling. He’s still puttering around in his paddock, eating and feisty enough to try and spit out his bute this am

Soaking won’t cause thinner soles or be detrimental to the soles as they will dry out, especially if you apply something like turpentine or Hoof Magic to the soles afterward and wrap. If anything, it will help reduce inflammation so the foot can heal properly.

[Catherine616]

My vet had me use ichthamol under the wrap to draw out the abscess

[mmeqcenter]

Yes that’ll be perfect