Pus in the foot: horse hoof abscesses Dos and Don’ts

Pus in the foot also known as subsolar abscess is one of the most common causes of severe acute lameness in horses and ponies. In this condition a painful abscess of pus inflammatory material develops between the epithelial layers of the foot. The most usual route of entry of bacteria is through a break in the barrier of the sole or white line. This can be caused by external trauma such as standing on a nail or hard flint or separation of the white line which can be exacerbated by laminitis. Factors such as poor hoof care or poor weather conditions can increase the risk of subsolar abscess.

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How is pus in the foot diagnosed?DOCall your vet or farrier for adviceExamine your horse carefully for any wounds or obvious signs of traumaApply a poultice to the affected foot if you can while you are waiting for helpFollow your vet or farriers instructions on poulticingAvoid mud and wet fields when poulticing If your horse is used to being turned out during the period of confinement remember to reduce the feed intake and monitor for signs of colicGive painkillers if prescribedMost cases will resolve in 25 daysRemember that it may not be possible to find pus in the early stagesMonitor the affected leg Speak to your vet about testing for Cushings disease PPIDDONTGive antibioticsGive extra painkillers or treatmentsBe tempted to open up a drainage tract yourself or use caustic agents on the footContinue to poultice if the frog or skin become damagedForget to check the horseLet it get wetWorry too much!Theyre common but theyre not usually serious
How is pus in the foot diagnosed?
Usually your vet or farrier will suspect a subsolar abscess based on clinical signs namely sudden severe lameness which can be as bad as being nonweight bearing in combination with increased digital pulses or pain on hoof testers. A definitive diagnosis is reached when pus is found by paring away the sole. In some cases where pus cannot be found easily nerve blocks may be used to localise the lameness to the foot but occasionally they may only produce a partial improvement in clinical signs and will be interpreted by your vet. Occasionally radiographs may be needed to confirm the presence of pus or gas associated with an abscess.
What are some Dos and Donts of subsolar abscesses?
DO
Call your vet or farrier for advice
And do it as soon as you