Abscesses and Localized Infection in Horses
  by Robert N. Oglesby DVM

Abscess is defined as: a circumscribed collection of puss frequently associated with swelling and other signs of inflammation which oftens leads to a cavity of liquefactive necrosis within solid tissue. Most folks think of an abscess as a localized pocket of infection but this is not always true. Puss, or perhaps nicer sounding purulence, is a fluid that is a product of inflammation. It consists of a liquid containing white blood cells (leukocytes) and the debris of dead cells and tissue elements liquefied by the proteolytic and histolytic enzymes that are released by the white blood cells. While infection often leads to puss formation, there are also sterile abscesses which often are created by the body's attempt to dissolve dead tissue. The body makes puss to fight infection as well as to remove damage tissues.

Abscesses most frequently result from a penetrating injury that does not drain well. However there are some systemic infections that manifest themselves as abscesses. The treatment of a focal abscess of any origin is the same while internal and disseminated abscesses depends on the organism present. This article deals with the diagnosis of abscesses and internal abscesses, treatment, and links to specific diseases that cause abscesses.