29/08/2024
⭐⭐ Foot Abscess ⭐⭐
Also known as pus in the foot, foot abscess is a very common condition seen in horses, ponies and donkeys. This condition can be generally quite painful and with an acute onset. They result from a localised bacterial infection developing inside the hoof wall or under the sole, which typically develops after a penetrating injury through the sole, or by tracking up the white line (the seam between the sole and the hoof wall).
Clinical Signs
• Sudden onset of severe/moderate lameness in one leg
• Resting foot or in severe case not weight bearing
• Pointing toe
• Hot foot
• Increased digital pulses
How to diagnose them?
Most foot abscesses are suspected and diagnosed from the history and clinical examination. Hoof testers help pin point the abscess location. Shoe removal is necessary to examine a foot thoroughly. Poulticing may be necessary for several days if the abscess is not immediately apparent at the first examination, prior to a re-examination.
Occasionally, nerve blocks and x-rays are necessary to confirm the site and cause of lameness and to rule out other causes of foot lameness such as laminitis, bruised sole or a pedal bone fracture.
Treatment
The aim of treatment is to let the abscess to drain, either through a hole in the sole/white line or sometimes via the coronary band. If an abscess cannot be located using hoof knives, then daily poulticing may be necessary to soften the horn, to encourage the abscess to erupt spontaneously or to make it easier to locate the abscess after a few days.
Antibiotics are frequently requested by owners for use in treating foot abscesses. However, they are not usually necessary and will not speed up the healing process. Antibiotics should never be used before an abscess has been opened and they are recommended only then if there is infection of the soft tissues of the lower leg (cellulitis), or infection of the pedal bone.
