ARGH

Well no wonder Waldo isn't completely back to normal...turns out his abscess is STILL draining! My trimmer came today to do Waldo's feet, and he found that stuff is still coming out of the crack. He said I could try more epsom salt soaks and walking him around to help it work its way out. I guess he doesn't move around enough in the pasture to accomplish it?

It can't be that BAD since he walks on the foot almost totally fine, but he's probably landing toe-first since it's coming out the heel bulb. I don't think this is a new abscess since he never got lamer again; he's just not getting completely better. I left a message for my vet to ask if there's anything else I can try or should be doing. I bought one of those little hand held infrared thermometers (like this) to accurately measure the temperatures in his feet since I can't tell well enough by hand. Today both front feet read the same temp from the front of the hoof, but when I pointed it at the heels, there was about a ten degree difference, with the right (abscessed) one being warmer. I think this will give me a better idea as to whether or not anything is still lurking in there. I think he's going to be one of those multiple-month recoveries. SIGH.

( Hoof pics (haha, get it? I didn't even do that on purpose!) )