Swollen foot

[Smokey82]

Process started about 3 weeks ago. Horse is a 20 month old quarter horse Filly. . Had her feet trimmed, then about 3-5 days later I noticed her favoring the right rear foot. I cleaned and thoroughly inspected the fott and leg and found nothing. So I decided to put her in a stall and watch her for a few days. the foot started to swell in the next day or so, so I called my vet, and discussed possible Abcess foot. She advised soaking with warm/hot water w/salt . So I did that, and the swelling subsided. I noticed an infectious smell coming from the heel of the foot before and after soaking. But never visibly saw evidence of an abcess. After about a week of twice daily soakings, the smell seemed to quit. I soaked a couple more times and quit

4 days later the swelling started again, so I started the soaking again, and called the vet. She advised this was probably the thing to do. Been soaking again for 7 days now. It seems to help her be more comfortable, but the swelling is not going anywhere, and I haven't noticed any smell.

Any Ideas?? Will an abcess foot cause swelling.(Swelling is limited to 4-6 inches above the hoof) No heat found, no sensitive places in the foot or leg. Horse continues to eat like a horse. After a couple days of no soaking the horse will start to lay down more. Horse has spent the winter in pasture, (Wet soggy pasture) not very rocky, but isolated rocks do exist.

[calshoer]

Has the vet SEEN the horse yet? if not get her out there.
Yes an abscess can cause swelling above the foot but so can an injury to the lower leg.
Although one or two soaks can open an abscess that is ready to pop anyway, continued soaking only softens the whole foot and usually delays the healing of an abscess.
It needs to be examined, possibly including diagnostic hoof blocks and X-rayed, and if it does turn out to be just an abscess(with no foreign body imbedded in there somewhere ) the vet should be able to open it with a knife, creating a SMALL hole to drain it. Or if there is somehing in there she should be able to find and remove it.
Then they get wrapped in a poultice to continue to draw the infection out while NOT softening the foot anymore by soaking.
Soaking for weeks only allows the abscesses to track all over the foot's softened wall and sole and wreak more havoc.
And with the hands on inspection if it is not an abscess you can at least find out what it is.
Patty

[Phil Armitage]

I don't know as if I would want that Vet come out. Any Vet that recommends that you continue soaking it and does not come out and actually see what is going on, is not a good one in my book. If it were my horse I would be concerned that she may have fractured it, stepped on a nail who knows. You have to look at these things not quess what is going on.

[Jason Maki]

Just a thought, you may have two seperate animals. The first may well have been an abcess. The second round of swelling not accompanied by lameness may simply be a stall stock due to being stabled... I would have a vet examine her to resolve the issue.
Jason

[Jeanie Connors]

I was thinking along the same lines as Jason; movement helps alleviate swelling. Stall rest can cause a horse to stock up, especially on a hurt limb. I would look into a strain of the limb, along with the possibility of an abcess (hooves don't smell so good when warm and wet often times, even when healthy...ever smell hoof trimmings? ;) ).

I would have the vet come out too; there is only so much they can do over the phone, and continual soaking isn't good for a horse. Is she still lame? Is she still inside?

[Smokey82]

Thanks for the input. My vet is coming out this afternoon. The vet not coming out so far has been MY decision.

She is still inside. The only other option is a wet soggy pasture. We do get her out twice a day for a short walk. She still favors the foot quite a bit.

I guess I'll know more tonight, and I'll update the post for anyone who cares.

Thanks again for the input.