Connor - Right Foot Forward

Dr. Bender, Creekside Veterinary Services, was out bright and early this morning to have a look at Connor, the old grey TB gelding. We've been nursing an abscessed hoof on left front, and now, he appears to have pain in the right hoof, i.e. not bearing any weight on it. Truthfully, Jessika and I lamented over the thought that it might be Connor's time to cross the rainbow bridge.

But Dr. Bender located another abscess in his right hoof, again, in an unusual spot at the point of the frog. He did a hoof block, released and cleaned the abscess, packed in ichthammol, then wrapped the hoof with bandages and duct tape. With Connor able to bear weight on his right hoof, he could examine the progress on his left hoof. Still thrushy; he rinsed with 7% Iodine solution; then gave him a shot of bute. I'll give him 1.5 grams bute twice a day, Iodine rinse on left hoof once a day, increase Creekside Life Stages (supplemental feed) and mix in corn oil. Throw in some generic biotin for hooves. Connor is loosing weight, although he does eat well.

Wet winters, old age (30+) and Thoroughbred feet all contibute to Connor's hoof problems. We'll need to be extra vigilant to pull him through this.