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  Discussion on Help, Accident Swollen Leg
Author Message
Member:
Rjbraun

Posted on Sunday, Mar 13, 2005 - 2:33 pm:

My horse tried to jump out of the round pen why ,I do not know.She got hung up between the hings on steel gate .It took 3 guys with ropes to get her off ,it was her left leg.Bleeding a lot at the back of the cannon and a little at the side of the pastern.They got the bleeding stoped and back in her stall.Then called me I got out there called my Vet.could not come out so I clean it and put antibiotic cream on them covered it with clean bandages and vet wrap.Also gave her bute 1 gr. twice a day for 4 days .She seemed to improve for 10 days and then started limping bad again.I am hoseing her with cold water 2 or 3 tims a day after I do, she seems better.I will see how it goes for a few more days .How long it will take to heal? I read and the posts on this,guess it all depends .Any help or ideas.Thanks.
Member:
Christos

Posted on Monday, Mar 14, 2005 - 6:48 am:

Hi, Bob,
It depends on what damage tendons, ligaments and joints have suffered.
Without a diagnosis from a vet, I'd keep hosing twice daily, give bute for the swelling and put a bandage on for tendon and joint support.
I'd hand walk her twice a day for a month and see how she does. When she does not limp at walk for two weeks, you start 3 minute trots on the lunge once a day. When she does not limp at a trot for two weeks, I think you can carefully start with a few steps in canter and work under saddle again.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Mar 14, 2005 - 7:45 am:

There is not enough information in your post to take a stab at how long it will take to heal, or what the prognosis for soundness is robertj. It seems your wound care is adequate but I wonder if a little bit more bute might not help your horse get better quicker and if systemic antibiotic is not indicated. My concern is chiefly for tendon sheaths and joint spaces as they are chief reasons for permanant lamenesss. These are questions that a vet could answer with some certainty after a physical exam.
DrO
Member:
Rjbraun

Posted on Monday, Mar 14, 2005 - 8:53 am:

Thank you DrO.and Christos,will do as you advise And keep you informed.R.J.B.
Member:
Rjbraun

Posted on Thursday, Mar 24, 2005 - 9:05 am:

DrO.AND Christos ,just a up date on her leg ,its been a little over 3 weeks. I did as you both said she is geting better but it is slow going ,still on one gr of bute a day.
Member:
Rjbraun

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 6, 2005 - 10:37 pm:

UP DATE A TURN FOR THE WORST .She seem to be doing better then today I she was limping bad I felt her knee and she whent up in the air it really hurt her alot.I had the ferrier come to trim her as is was 12 weeks .He said it is dislocated.I called the Vet.she did not return my call.CAN this be repaired?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Apr 7, 2005 - 11:37 am:

A dislocated knee is not a common event and probably not repairable but why don't we wait to be sure we know what is wrong Robert before we contemplate treatment. Did your vet get out there today?
DrO
Member:
Rjbraun

Posted on Thursday, Apr 7, 2005 - 12:05 pm:

DrO.,No can not get there till Friday. Well take pictures ,well let you know.Poor little filly.
Member:
Rjbraun

Posted on Saturday, Apr 9, 2005 - 7:34 am:

Well the Vet,was out and took xrays no breaks ,but said maybe a chip on the knee?The x-rays were not clear enough to see good.Said to keep her on bute and keep her in her stall and a5min.walk a day for a month .She if it helps?If not more x rays.Then what?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Apr 9, 2005 - 4:48 pm:

Then what depends on the diagnosis. Lousy field radiographs are a common enough occurence but why is he not going back out there for a good set to confirm or rule out the diagnosis? Does this mean from the physical exam he thinks the inflammation is intra-articular? If it is intraarticular did he tap it to see if infection might be present?
DrO
Member:
Rjbraun

Posted on Thursday, Apr 21, 2005 - 9:31 pm:

Hi its been 2 mos.and she still limps and does not run when I let her out.Been on bute 2times a day for 3 weeks seems to help, but still can not put weight on it.How long will this go on?The Vet.will take more x-rays in 2 weeks then what if no better?Can not ever ride her again.Guess I have to put her down.NEVER HAD THIS WITH other horses in my life.
Member:
Canter

Posted on Friday, Apr 22, 2005 - 8:18 am:

Robert,
I urge you to be patient with your horse's injury. If you're not getting answers from your vet, it's time for a second opinion. But sometimes these things simply take a long time to get better. My mare was injured last summer and it took 4 months of stall rest before she re-turned to soundness. If you look through many of the other posts about injuries, many others have had to deal with a lot longer recovery period...although there are unfortunately no guarantees, the possible outcome of a fully recovered horse is worth the wait.

I wish you the best for your mare and hope she will recover fully for you.
Member:
Chohler

Posted on Friday, Apr 22, 2005 - 1:50 pm:

Robert do be patient and see what the xrays show, if it is field xrays they may be like the past ones and not show much, I would push for xrays taken at the clinic and even a second opinion.

I have been dealing with a lameness/wound issue since november.........patience.... I am finally starting to get the issue resolved.
Member:
Rjbraun

Posted on Friday, Apr 22, 2005 - 4:37 pm:

Thanks to all for your input,we will see what happens.
Member:
Rjbraun

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 26, 2005 - 5:17 pm:

DrO,I checked the knee and its 1/4 in.bigger then the other one.its over 2mos.and no inproverment,can a chip cause this and can any thing be done about it.Without bute she is in real pain.,whats left to do?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 27, 2005 - 7:16 am:

Hello Robert,
The thing to be done is what has not been done yet: a good diagnosis so that appropriate treatment and prognosis can be made. There is no use is saying "yes a chip might do this" when there are so many possibilities.
DrO
Member:
Rjbraun

Posted on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 - 6:20 pm:

Well the new x-rays show a chip on the outside of the left knee .No inprovement still limps bad only 3 years old May14th what a sin,I have a friend that wants her .Is beyyer than putting her down I guess.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 - 6:29 am:

I am sorry to hear that Robert. Some chips are treatable by removal or if large screwing down. This is best done before arthritis sets in. Are these options?
DrO
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