Long brewing hoof infection

[guiltygirl]

Okay-something was going on with Leo back on Oct 4-when he bucked me off So he came up very sore on Oct 5-took to a reputable lameness vet on Oct 11-he said it is an infection in the hoof- like a gravel-probably from a puncture and then dirt and mud got in-shoeing excellent-xrays taken and it looks like both sides of toe in front is something. Vet prescribes Doxy for two weeks 7 on 3 off 7 on-and ickamothal (you woulkd think I could spell it-it smells awful) wrap foot-change every two days-oh and keep in stall---this went on until last sunday when my farrier said also add epsom salts soak 30 min and at least 30 min walking. He was very sore to hoof testers on Sunday. My farrier said he needs to be moving-he also said the antibotics have slowed it down.
Well it is November 6th-still a lot of heat in that foot-I am getting a good workout dragging poor Leo along but I am also getting a little sad-poor Leo has been in stall since Oct 11. Thank God is he is a trooper on stall rest-I walk him every day in ring for 30 minutes-but I am getting depressed-not depressed just sad and so ready for something to happen. I guess I need jingles for Leo and just some moral support that my horse is not going to have the longest lasting abcess in history. I feel so bad for him-
Also I am trying to find a boot so I can just turn him out. Any suggestions. My farrier is coming back sunday.

[Big Tee©]

Up that epsom salts soak to twice a day, and kick his butt out - the walking will actually help move that stuff to the outside and he needs no boots or anything on that foot, just make sure it is dry before he goes out, or there will be a muddy mess at the bottom of the pail when you soak later; you can continue with the ichthamol at night when he is in. The farrier is right, antibiotics shouldn't have been given until the abscess burst.

That said, my normal procedure is soak for 20 minues three times a day, water as warm as the horse will stand, and I use whirlpool boots instead of a tub, the moving water seems to do more good. After soaking, the patient goes out as normal and left to fend for itself - that moving around grazing is important.

[TeachU2Ride]

Did the vet do a culture to determine what kind of bacteria is present? A few are anaerobic and don't respond to "regular" antibiotics. Or... it could be another problem all together, perhaps canker or White Line. If he were mine, I'd be looking for other answers at this point. Good luck!

[guiltygirl]

Well the farrier was out yesterday and there was no heat or sensitivity in the hoof so he put a shoe back on-he said ride the horse- made me happy. He said what ever was or is in there is eventually going to work its way out but Leo's feet are very slow growing and it could take a while-I am glad -my horse is glad-there never was any abcess opening-even with all the soaking-he must have the cleanest hoof in Maryland from all the soaking and wrapping. He was tender not having his shoe on so we are off to some nice slow trail rides and hopefully he will remain sound. I will be able to tell if he is sore cause he will give me a nice buck. Teach I am researching the canker-vet did say it wasn't white line. The whole thing was just very very frustrating. Horses-why do I love them??