[Lostlambs]

I have one lovely big single lamb that developed a abcess on one foot. Checked in between the toes and it seems to be more above the hoof on the side of one toe. Been treating with penicillin and soaking with betadine solution,put bluekote on. Was so large 2 days ago I lanced it and large amount of pus and blood cleaned out. Dressed it and he started using it a bit. Last  night it shows filling up again. ?Should I lance it again. maybe give a tetracyclne instead of penicillin.Vet is not available for a couple days yet. Thanks LL

[Pedwardine]

Likely, bacause a lamb's foot is so much softer than an adult sheep, something has penetrated. If you've squeezed out pus but not got the offending thorn or whatever it is then it'll just keep getting reinfected. See if you can see a foreign body in there. Is there a puncture wound you can discern?

[Lostlambs]

Am going back out right away and will try. When I drained it before there was a more solid piece that came out and I was hoping that was it. I couldn't see a puncture anywhere but thought maybe a scrape or small cut with the ice and snow here.Will see if I can clean it out again thanks

[kaz]

Have you tried some Animalintex on it. It is a poultice that helps to draw out the poison and whatever has caused it. Just cut enough to cover the wound area and then wrap in self clinging bandage (used for horses legs) I had a problem with one of my ram lambs later in the year once and he had literally managed to dislodge part of his cartilage which eventually came out through his leg after me treating him for a while. He was fine after that and still going strong. One of my tups for this season.
Without seeing it. It could also be Strawberry footroot, which can affect the top of the hoof area, but it's unlikely.

[twizzel]

I would poltice with animalintex (soak it in hot water first) so that the poltice covers the whole of the foot, and then secure with vetwrap and tape. The poultice will draw out any infection, change it twice a day and keep it covered until you take the poultice off and it's clean.
Once it's stopped oozing you could spray with endomycin or purple spray just to stop any infection getting back in.

[Lostlambs]

I don't have any poultice available here ?would anyone know how to make one at home thanks LL

[twizzel]

A nappy also does the trick very well! Obviously not a whole nappy, just cut it to size. I would go get some poultice tomorrow from country store

[Lostlambs]

I"ve never heard of a poultice sold here, what  would it be made of?

[Mammyshaz]

Poor little lamb, and poor worried you 

Abscesses really need to be kept  open for a few days to allow the pus to drain out. I would lance it again and then flush it 3or 4 times a day( if possible ) with dilute betadine. Keep it covered in between flushes.
A poultice for overnight for a couple of nights will help draw some hard to flush areas.

A poultice can easily be made by placing a thick wad of cotton wool soaked in dilute betadine against the abscess. Then a dry wad placed on top of this. Bandage in place and remove 12 hours later.
The idea is that the dry cottonwool PULLS the moisture into it, which in turn PULLS pus and debris from the infected area into the wet


HTH
Good luck, and hope little one improves

[kaz]

Your countrystore should have a product called Animalintex. That is your poultice. Instructions should be on the product.