Thoughts on swollen heel bulb?

[flyingxchanges]

I pulled this guy from New Holland at the end of March. http://i66.tinypic.com/2a00v1i.jpgHe had a bunch of abscesses in this hoof which have since cleared up. The hoof is clubby which my farrier has advised was something caused by an injury/issue and not something he was ‘born with’. My farrier only saw him once the day after we got him and just did a brief trim, so I didn’t get to pick his brain more than that. The horse is still in QT so unless he’s actively trying to die my vet would like to wait until we move him to the main barn to see him.

In the meantime I keep googling and I know that’s not a good thing… we didn’t get this boy with any expectations other than save his life but I’d love for him to be sound, he’s so sweet.

He is not lame and moves out sound at the trot and canter. The swollen area of his heel bulb (or digital cushion?) is the worrying part. My trainer thinks there’s something in there (gravel, etc) I of course am convinced he’s going to have to be put down.

Photo attached (I think)! Any thoughts?

[IPEsq]

Looks like there was some kind of injury. Might be a good idea to take an X-ray to see if there is something stuck in there versus a scab from something else, like previous puncture.

[flyingxchanges]

I should have added that as soon as we move him to the main barn on the first of June I’m getting my vet out to do an exam and X-ray. Until then I’m just interested in other opinions. I haven’t found any similar injuries on google. Which I’m not sure is making me feel better or worse.

He is such a sweet little guy and only 6.

[JB]

Can you schedule the vet to see him this week as the last call of her day? That way she can go straight home and disinfect if she needs to. With his history of multiple abscesses I also wonder if it’s not some infection in there, and another 2 weeks is a long time to wait if it is.

If the vet just can’t/won’t see him before his QT is over, then consider either a Clean Trax or White Lightning soak. It won’t hurt anything, but may start to help if there’s a deep infection in there, and with that heel crack it maybe be more than just abscess/gravel stuff.

[China_Doll]

The center of the hoof is very odd.

[flyingxchanges]

I have been soaking with white lightening every other day at first and now weekly. He also received 30 days of antibiotics. Unfortunately I cannot have the vet out even as the last stop without a hefty (albeit understandable) call fee. I have spoken at length with my vet about this, he gave me the antibiotics and suggested the white lightening and it was his opinion that he was safe to wait til we move him from QT. (Just adding that so it doesn’t seem like I’m not trying to do what’s best for the horse or being an arm chair vet)

His heel is very odd, my farrier suggested it was just from the way he’s loading his foot while he moves, therefore it’s wearing oddly. It’s just what’s under there that’s making him not load his heel…? The structure of his actual hoof has improved since this photo but the swelling remains the same no matter what I do. I’ve treated for scratches there as well since he had those when I first got him. They cleared up but the swelling remains.

[JB]

Ah ok, that’s good.

Would you be willing to get more pictures of that foot? I’m really curious what it looks like from all angles.

[flyingxchanges]

Absolutely, I’ll get some good ones in the morning. The one in my op is from a month ago, but it’s the most recent one I have on my phone. The one attached is from from the end of March a few days after we picked him up.

[atr]

Here’s a wild thought… I wonder if he’s ever been nerved?

[flyingxchanges]

I would doubt that he was nerved. He was sold at the auction as ‘green broke’ but I’m not sure how much handling or riding time he actually had. So I can’t imagine they would’ve gone through the trouble of nerving him. Although I suppose they could’ve found out what the issue was and dumped him at auction and that’s really sad to think about

[Laurierace]

reported

[candyappy]

@flyingxchanges

These pictures are from today after soaking with white lightening. The hair is clipped on the swollen area and it’s wet which is why it appears so pink.

Old thread I know, but now I am curious to know what happened with the horse??