belhaven
11-30-2005, 06:09 PM
My BIG 5yo gelding (17h and about 1350 lbs) presented last Tuesday morning 3 legged lame in his LF. He had no obvious cause of lameness. Monday afternoon he and his pastures mate had a run like the wind for about 30 minutes.
That day it rained after 2 months of dry.
After consulting with my vet, we proceed to treat as an abscess and did daily Epsom salt soaks followed by wraps with Animalintex for 5 days.
On day 5 he was about 90% better but still tender on gravel, less tender on a packed arena and most comfy on concrete.
It is now day 10 and he is improving at a snail's pace---just ever so slightly off...but still off.
I discontinued the wraps and soaks at day 5 and am debating if they are a benefit or hinderance at this point.
He IS barefoot-and always has been and truly has been fine. He does have flat soles but it has never been a soundness problem for him and his foot form improves with each trim he gets.
So...I am fairly certain that the cir***stances of flat feet, running like a fool and dry then rain is the reason...but I am still not sure of the what...abscess or bruise.
Is there any way to tell? Or just time? I would assume with an abscess I want the foot soft so it can pop...but bruise I would want the foot to harden.
Is there really anyway to tell the difference? He is not reacting ANYWAY specific with hoof testers.
That day it rained after 2 months of dry.
After consulting with my vet, we proceed to treat as an abscess and did daily Epsom salt soaks followed by wraps with Animalintex for 5 days.
On day 5 he was about 90% better but still tender on gravel, less tender on a packed arena and most comfy on concrete.
It is now day 10 and he is improving at a snail's pace---just ever so slightly off...but still off.
I discontinued the wraps and soaks at day 5 and am debating if they are a benefit or hinderance at this point.
He IS barefoot-and always has been and truly has been fine. He does have flat soles but it has never been a soundness problem for him and his foot form improves with each trim he gets.
So...I am fairly certain that the cir***stances of flat feet, running like a fool and dry then rain is the reason...but I am still not sure of the what...abscess or bruise.
Is there any way to tell? Or just time? I would assume with an abscess I want the foot soft so it can pop...but bruise I would want the foot to harden.
Is there really anyway to tell the difference? He is not reacting ANYWAY specific with hoof testers.