To ensure the health and well-being of horses it is extremely important that the hooves are healthy; if they become contaminated with bacteria, an infection could develop, causing the animal pain and discomfort. Regardless of whether pathogens enter due to trauma, such as a puncture wound with a nail, or due to poor health, it is essential to treat the infection as soon as possible; the crucial aspect is to be able to identify the problem, ask for the help of a professional and take care of the horse to get him back to health.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Recognizing the Hoof Abscess
Step 1. See if the horse feels discomfort when walking
If he suddenly hesitates to walk, he may have a painful hoof infection. Pay attention to changes in his gait, if he is reluctant to go for a walk or if he puts pressure on one of his hooves.
Step 2. Examine the top of the hooves
If you are concerned that it may have some problems with the extremities, you need to observe them carefully. As long as you know the horse well and are able to handle it properly, you should be able to inspect its hooves without difficulty.
Look for signs of abnormalities on their surface; especially look for cracks, wounds, injuries, or swellings
Step 3. Examine the underside of the hooves
Clean the surface so that you can check if there is any problem; again, check for cuts, injuries, or swellings. Next, use farriery tools, such as the rasp, knife, or probe to test the horse's sensitivity.
- Infections caused by wounds often develop when the nails of the shoes are driven into the central part of the hoof; as a result, the bacteria go deep and trigger the problem.
- If your pet is reluctant to let you check their hooves, you may need to ask for the help of another person to keep them at bay and allow you to inspect them.
Step 4. Pay attention to whether the area is hot to the touch
The abscess can cause a lot of heat in and around the hoof; touch the entire upper surface and carefully observe any edema or discomfort that the horse might experience.
Part 2 of 3: Getting Veterinary Care
Step 1. Don't wait for the abscess to rupture
Some horse owners wait for the pus build-up to spontaneously break down rather than go to a veterinarian. however, this is not a behavior that is attentive to the animal's suffering, as the infection causes extreme pain.
Instead, once the problem is identified, you should ensure that it is addressed and treated immediately
Step 2. Make an appointment with the vet
If you suspect that an abscess has developed, you should immediately rely on the experience of a competent doctor who can treat the infection adequately, as it is a difficult problem to identify and treat effectively on your own.
When you call to schedule your appointment, be sure to tell your doctor about your symptoms, the period of onset, and what you fear may have happened. All this information can help him determine if the animal needs immediate intervention
Step 3. Let the vet examine the situation
First, he will probably want to analyze the general health of the animal and observe its gait; afterwards, he will want to carefully check the hooves. For this purpose, he can also use the specific tools to cut the suffering one, in order to identify the problem.
Before proceeding with the incision, the vet can also clean the hoof; in this way it is able to control the precise point in which to cut, in addition to obtaining a better view of the surface to be treated
Step 4. Allow him to drain the abscess
In order to remove the infection, it is necessary to drain the pus. The vet must make a hole in the edge of the hoof; to properly treat the infection, he can use sterile instruments and work in an equally sanitized environment to aid the healing process.
- Drainage does not have to take place in the lower part of the hoof, but it is important that the pus comes out of the junction between the base and the harder outer part.
- This procedure should offer the horse an immediate feeling of relief.
Part 3 of 3: Continue Home Care
Step 1. Follow your vet's instructions
Give the horse all the medicines that are prescribed by the doctor; these could be painkillers that are also useful for reducing inflammation, such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). The doctor will not fail to emphasize the importance of keeping the treated area clean, which also means washing the stable in which the horse lives.
- It is very important to dress the wound until it heals; it usually takes about a week.
- To help drain the infection, your vet may recommend a specific treatment to soak the hoof; however, this can only be done on the advice of your doctor, as excessive "bathing" may weaken the area.
Step 2. Change the bandage often
Once the abscess is drained, the vet can apply a poultice, which consists of a piece of medicated tissue to protect the wound. the active ingredient present on the tissue can facilitate the expulsion of pus for several days. You must learn how to apply a new bandage, as it must be replaced every day until the wound is completely healed.
If you see the bandage starting to peel off, you need to reapply it
Step 3. Monitor the animal
During your recovery period, you should check for signs that the infection is not healing or is getting worse. If you notice the following signs you need to seek veterinary care right away:
- The discharge of pus increases or lasts more than two days;
- The horse continues to show signs of distress after two days;
- The animal does not eat;
- Fleshy tissue develops from the drainage hole.
Advice
- Apply powdered chlorine to the infected hoof. This substance is able to eliminate the abscess and you can find it for free sale in pharmacies; it is quite expensive but effective.
- At the end of the treatment, keep the area clean by applying a specific brace or baby diapers; this foresight prevents the infection from worsening.
