HorseAdvice.com Equine & Horse Advice: Can a hematoma become an abcess?

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HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Swellings / Localized Infection / Abscesses » Diagnosing and Assessing Swellings in Horses » Can a hematoma become an abcess?

Discussion on Can a hematoma become an abcess?

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Rebecca A Andrew
Member
Username: Rama

Post Number: 41
Registered: 2-2000

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 1, 2003 - 11:37 am:

3 weeks ago Buddy a 19yr old Appaloosa gelding had what appeared to be a fist sized hematoma on his neck. The owner assumed it was from a well placed kick or bite. Left to resolve on its own, it did gradually reduce in size. We used some DMSO to try to reduce it further. Buddy found that irritating and rubbed his neck removing all the hair to resemble a brush burn. Discontinued the DMSO and dressed the brush burn with alu-spray. A day and one half later the skin appeared thinned and looked like there was infection. The area was scrubbed clean and dressed with an ointment prepared by the vet for a previous horses skin ulcer. This morning the site opened and drained pus and serous fluid. Flushed the site and packed with ointment. Lynn,(Buddy's owner) intends to continue flushing the wound and packing it with ointment to keep the flies out.

Could a hematoma become an abcess or was an abcess brewing from the very first?

Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro

Post Number: 8697
Registered: 1-1997

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 2, 2003 - 4:58 am:

Yes a hematoma can become an abscess but it is not clear it this is what happened to your horse.
DrO

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