Need answer about horse ASAPwet poultice to thrush

My horse has an abcess on his front hoof and thrush in his back hooves but I was told by my ferrier to treat the front as well. I then read that you shouldn't apply a wet poultice to thrush. What would happen if he does have thrush in his front hoof? His front doesn't look as bad as his back but he might still have it. I am also having trouble treating both the thrush and the abcess because it hurts for him to put pressure on the front hoof. I just need A LOT of help with my horse :-(

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horseback_rider_k@yahoo.com

As others have mentioned, you should not put a wet dressing or close off from air, the areas with thrush. Thrush is a fungal infection that can be caused by the feet being too wet for extended periods. Many have mentioned Koppertox and thrush buster. I like a betadine solution that I can get at the regular drug store and can be less expensive. Make sure that it is at least 10% provadine-iodine. For extreme cases I use tincture of iodine but this can be more pricy.

For the front hoof with the abscess, I would use the poultice if you have not gotten the abscess to drain yet. BEFORE you put it on though put some thrush treatment on the hoof. Then use your poultice dressing. When the abscess begins to drain I like to use the betadine to help cleanse the area and reduce the surrounding infection. You can still use the hoof boot or protective portion of the dressing (my favorite is 1/2 of a small baby diaper and duct tape) to keep stall material out of the wound for a day or two while using the betadine. The abscess can be drained by your vet or farrier if it is shallow but sometimes this is not the best answer due to how deep it is. In extreme cases, I have seen the hoof wall partially cut away to get to the abscess and then treated with iodine and formaldehyde. My first mentor did this on a couple of occasions. Your abscess may have started from a case of thrush which softened the hoof allowing the deeper infection. Monitor your horses overall health through this treatment. In extreme cases an abscess can lead to founder. Call your vet if there are signs of things getting worse. Your vet can also get you medication for pain for your horse.