Nothing Simple

On Monday, Ramsey came up lame on his bad foot.  He presented with all the classic signs of a hoof abscess and that is what I am still hoping it ends up being.  However, this is Ramsey and this is Ramsey's bad foot - there is no such thing as a "simple" abscess given his history, missing coffin bone and anatomical issues resulting from it. 

Most abscesses resolve themselves in 3-5 days.  Tomorrow will be day 6 and, unless there is dramatic improvement overnight, the vet will be here in the afternoon to take x-rays. 

I have been checking Ramsey's temperature multiple times per day.  Normal for him is 98.7 - 99.9.  When his temp edged up to 100.5 (which is still within 'normal' range) I put him on antibiotics.  He was back to 99.7 as of ten minutes ago.  Possibly paranoid, but I'm not willing to take the chance and I know what normal is for Ramsey.  If it is the beginnings of a fever, the earlier I start the antibiotics, the more likely they are to work.  "Within Normal Range" is just that, a range, which is why it is so important to go out and take your critter's temperature when it is healthy and happy. 

Ramsey is bright eyed, not terribly depressed and has a good appetite so I am still hoping that I will go out in the morning and find some sign that this abscess is going to rupture on its own.  I will let you all know what happens.