[carolelaredo]

My horse had an abscess (march 26th)now over a month ago, i soaked it (warm water and epsom salts) twice a day and wrapped it with poultice, he was in the stall for 2 weeks, going out when i was there for about an hour (because of mud and rain). the farrier came out about 2 days after he went lame, (I for the record was never there when the farrier came). I was told by the barn owner, it was a huge abscess and the farrier drained it, i continued for a week soaking twice a day and wrapping. he (the farrier) came out a week later and drained it again from the bottom of the hoof, even after the abscess burst from the heel bulb. i kept soaking once a day and kept it unwrapped (as the barn owner told me since i didn’t have much experience with this bad of an abscess). after a week or 2 he was doing great and started back into lounging. i noticed he would limp in the same foot as the abscess was.. (ALSO I WOULD OF THOUGHT THE FARRIER WOULD WANT TO SEE HIM AGAIN AFtER THAT)
Here we are in May, i haven’t seen the barn owner, nor have i heard much from her in over a week, but my horses hoof from the heel bulb is a huge hole where the abscess burst.and where the farrier drained it from the bottom hoof is starting to come apart! I’m freaking out, thinking his foot is going to fall off and there is no good turn out at the barn where my horse isn’t standing in mud. i’ve been soaking it about every other day because i don’t want an infection. he will walk on the foot still but when standing he will rest it on his toe.

Should i be getting another farrier out here to look at my horse or should i be calling the vet?!?

 

[horselovinguy]

Was this your normal farrier who rendered this care to the horse?
If it is call and leave a message the farrier call you back to answer some concerns regarding follow-up care.
I would be calling the vet though too to touch base and ask advice, get some offered tips of timeline of healing.
The fact this farrier opened another hole when you had a escape path already naturally done...:|

The mention of the constant muddy environment would make me leery of bacteria in the soil and a perfect opportunity for a host in that foot.
It costs me nothing to make a phone call to ask a question of my vet.
It gives me peace-of-mind if nothing else or after our discussion to say...come out and look please knowing full-well that farm call will cost me...
But if spending a few $ now heads off a hoof infection it is money well spent...
:runninghorse2:..jmo...

 

[Acadianartist]

Call the vet. This sounds serious.

 

[BarbandBadgerandPedro]

HAve the vet check on tetanus vax status as well...this will take time to heal.

 

[Boo Walker]

At this point I would call the vet. It may be a bigger abcess than how it appeared at first. You want to make sure there is no systemic infection or that the infection hasn't tunneled upwards into the hoof capsule. A couple of x-rays will reveal any gas pockets and check for damage to the coffin bone.

In the meantime, it's essential to keep the feet clean and dry. If it's wet outside, stall rest is advised. The stall will need to be cleaned several times throughout the day. If you are using shavings, they need to be totally stripped daily as well. Letting the hoof get packed with manure and wet shavings will just continue to breed bacteria.

When you call the vet, they can advise you on treatment. Some prefer a daily soak followed by drying then wrapping the foot. Others prefer to keep it clean, dry and open to the air.

Good luck, I agree, this has gone on long enough. The lameness is a big red flag. If you're not happy with your farrier, ask the vet who they would recommend.

 

[waresbear]

If you are concerned, call a vet. Not for this, but for anything, the vet provides a service to give medical care to animals, use the service!