I’m anxious to talk to Susan (our barn owner) tonight about Xena’s leg/foot, but when I enter the barn it appears she’s been waiting to talk to me too. Susan is also very concerned and quickly begins telling me that Xena was worse today than yesterday. As I bring Xena in from the paddock she walks quite well on the rubber mats in the aisle, but the concrete floor by the door is quite painful for her.
Xena’s left leg is slightly hot tonight. Susan uses a hoof tester and Xena reacts to pressure on her sole in the 2:00 position, which is the outside half of her hoof. We then soaked Xena’s foot in Epsom Salts and warm water, applied UpTite Poultice cream to her sore leg, and bandaged and wrapped both legs.
Xena did great at raising her foot and lowering it into the water bath. I used the same command as when I ask her to put her foot on the pedestal. She calmly kept her foot in the water for 13 minutes. I will admit though, when she’d had enough she raised her foot and in the process knocked over the pan. Water went everywhere, but I’m still proud of her for being so patient.
This summer Xena has been outdoors for the full 24/7, but tonight she’ll stay in the barn. She’s been moved to a soft stall with its beautifully cushioned floor. It’s usually reserved for one of Susan’s geldings, who has recovered from severely broken cannon bone. Xena will have company because another mare will be in the stall across from her.
A farrier is scheduled to be at the barn tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. for another boarder, but Susan will ask him to also have a look at Xena. Susan now suspects it could be a stone bruise that has begun to abscess. In any case, we’re keeping a close eye on it and hopefully the farrier will be able to confirm Susan’s suspicions.
Update: Lame — Day 9, It’s an Abscess
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