Discussion on Paring/Draining Abscess
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| Author |
Message |
    
joan hall
New Member
Username: joanh
Post Number: 5
Registered: 8-2011
| | Posted on Saturday, Sep 10, 2011 - 12:25 am: |   |
Dr O;
My horses gravel is now bulging out of the coronary band after a week. I have left the area open for a few days (did not wrap with ichthammol or dressing) because the weather was so wet and rainy. Haven't soaked either because he was very tender and just didn't comply. I just put epsom salt and betadine on it. He isn't as lame as he was, so I have been letting it go naturally. Tonight, the weather is better so I cleaned up, ichthammoled it, wrapped it good, and put on simple boots for the night.
I want to just lance it before the coronary band separation gets too long. Should I get a needle or surgical blade and just go for it? |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 25949
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Sunday, Sep 11, 2011 - 10:13 pm: | |
joan without examining the horse I cannot make any specific recommendations. In general lancing a abscess around the coronet should be done by a veterinarian. The horse may react violently. And what if this is something else or you slice deeply because of the horses motion: the coronary band is very vascular.
DrO |
PattyB
Member
Username: pattyb
Post Number: 309
Registered: 11-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, Sep 11, 2011 - 10:29 pm: | |
In my 30+ years of horse ownership, I have learned many times over that when it comes to abscesses, it is much kinder and wiser to get the vet out as soon as possible. Not only is it kinder to the horse (lancing or paring relieves the pressure and allows the infection to drain) but you may well be avoiding the pitfalls of permanent injury to the inner workings of the hoof.
Every single one I have been thru over the years started out as a stone bruise. Horse walked out that morning just fine, came in a tripod. The vet was out as soon as he could get here, abscess located, pared out, soaked and packed, Bute for a few days.....horse was immediately obviously much more comfortable once the pressure was relieved...I would not even consider doing it any other way.
Good luck, having the vet out is your absolute best option. Prolonging the call could extend the time your horse is in pain and, create a bigger bill than if you had him/her out in the beginning of the lameness.  |
joan hall
Member
Username: joanh
Post Number: 6
Registered: 8-2011
| | Posted on Monday, Sep 12, 2011 - 6:25 am: | |
Thanks for feedback. I called the Vet after all; She was fine with regimen but would come out if needed and maybe give antibiotic. Well, I rode two times this weekend casually on soft ground to assess; he seems to be getting better by the day and point tenderness and bulge at the coronet band is diminishing. He only seems to favor the foot now when pivoting his forehand in a small area. I have been waiting for this huge explosion of puss and drainage, but it doesn't seem to be happening. Perhaps it is resolving internally? |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 25954
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, Sep 13, 2011 - 6:50 pm: | |
Or perhaps this is something else?
DrO |
