the horse is most sensitive. Hoof abscesses occur most frequently along the white line and so if the horse is wearing a shoe, the vet will need to remove it to examine the foot thoroughly.
Treatment
Once the location of the abscess has been found, paring away the sole with a hoof knife will release the abscess and allow the grey/black pus to drain through the sole of the foot. Once drainage of the abscess has been established, the horse is generally much more comfortable. The foot should be thoroughly cleaned and a dressing applied. Oſten this is a poultice which can be especially useful if for some reason complete drainage of the abscess could not be established with a hoof knife.
Veterinary poultices contain boric acid which acts as an antiseptic and works to draw the abscess out. They also contain tragacanth which is a natural gum made from trees, when wet it thickens to form a gel in which the boric acid is suspended. The effectiveness of boric acid as a poultice material has been debated, but it is the only substance licensed for the treatment of foot abscesses in the horse.
The main focus no matter what dressing material is used should be keeping the foot clean while the abscess drains and the sole heals. Pain relief and antibiotics are generally not needed once the abscess has been drained.
Complications
Foot abscesses oſten heal quickly and without any compli- cations. However, if complications do occur, these can delay the healing of an abscess and can require more intensive veterinary treatment.
Repeated abscessation oſten means there is an underlying cause, as discussed earlier in the article. You should speak to your vet if it seems your horse is suffering from foot abscesses frequently. Chronic or severe abscesses can track up to the coronary band and there can be a risk of deeper infection within the hoof capsule or pedal bone in these cases. Occasionally, a foot abscess will cause infection
About the author:
Max Hannan BVMS MRCVS Avonvale Equine Practice, Ratley Lodge, Ratley, Banbury OX15 6DT
www.avonvaleequine.co.uk Tel: 01295 670501
Max graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2017 before moving to work in mixed practice in Jersey. She has joined the Avonvale Equine team to complete an internship in the equine field and has a particular interest in equine medicine.
of the skin of the leg itself, this is called cellulitis, these cases do need pain relief and antibiotics. If the abscess isn’t healing, your vet may want to take radiographs (x-rays) of the foot to make sure there isn’t something more serious going on.
Summary • Foot abscesses are a common cause of acute lameness in the horse.
• Most foot abscess resolve quickly aſter drainage is establish by paring away the overlying sole.
• The foot should be kept clean until the hoof heals. • Should the horse still be sore, or have repeated abscess, further investigation is warranted.
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THE WINTER SPECIAL 2019
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