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Discussion on Help with bandaging a hock
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Monday, Jan 22, 2007 - 9:16 pm:
Hi guys
Anyone like to share their method for bandaging a hock? I have a young filly that has pulled off anything I put on her
thanks in advance for any advice
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Monday, Jan 22, 2007 - 9:50 pm:
Hocks are the worst! Dr. O has an article on bandaging that might be helpful. I usually do a figure eight type wrap, then cover it with either vet wrap or stockenette that is wrapped with elastacon over both top and bottom edges. If I'm lucky this will stay on for a day. Good luck!
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Member:
hwood
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Posted on Monday, Jan 22, 2007 - 11:17 pm:
leslie,
I have found a neoprene hock wrap which I ordered from Valley Vet to be very helpful with wrapping a hock. I think the ones I got (they come in sets of two) only come in one size, so if you have a warmblood-type, it might not be large enough to encompass a bandage. There may be other companies that have various sizes of hock wraps.
It would be easy enough to make one from stretchy material and with three or four velcro fasteners. If you decide to stitch one up, cut the material in two pieces that are in the shape of the hock. Sew them along the back edge, leaving a pocket for the point of the hock. Sew velcro fasteners on the front edges so the material can overlap and fasten on the outside.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 - 7:08 am:
Leslie the article Sara references is at Diseases of Horses » First Aid » Bandaging Horses. For long term bandaging}, I too give a thumbs up to the neoprene hock boot: I carry two in my truck and loan them out as needed.
DrO
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 - 8:10 am:
Unfortunately, I had no luck with the neoprene hock boot several years back - they are now floating around somewhere in the trunk of my car.
I wonder if an old pair of pantyhose or stockings would help. Apply bandages as you normally would. Cut off the toe and the top of the panyhose, creating a tube long enough to cover only bandages. Slide it over the leg and on to the bandages. Make sure it's not too tight and make sure the edges sit on top of the bandaging without binding. It might hold everything together without restricting the movement of the hock.
I haven't actually tried this...it's just an idea I wish I thought of 2.5 years ago when I had to bandage my mare's hock for 4 months of stall rest.
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Member:
cpacer
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 - 9:53 am:
I think there was someone on this board that successfully used a knee brace for people...?
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 - 10:31 am:
wow thanks for all the help. I have a people knee brace so Ill try that then if that dont work I get a hock brace
thx
leslie
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 - 6:34 am:
It a velcro knee brace and they put it on "backward" and said it worked quite well. I believe she gave a fairly complete description of the bandaging process. Run it in the search form at the top of this page and it should come up near the top.
Fran, I have had good luck with the neoprene hock boots with the only consistent problem a rub on the point of the hock, what type problems have you had?
DrO
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 - 4:33 pm:
Hi DrO,
I couldn't keep the boots on the hock. They seemed secure when I put them on and by morning, they'd be hanging around the horse's ankles. When I ordered them, I measured and conferred with the co. I bought them from (can't now remember if it was through Stateline or Dover) and they seemed to fit well - at least for a few minutes. After about 5 or 6 tries, I gave up and used the padded wraps and polos to keep the joint wrapped up.
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 25, 2007 - 2:38 pm:
mkay, I washed the hock, sorta dried it, taped a dry poultice bandage on it, then I put a human Pro therapy knee brace with heat packet on it, then I taped it again. Im gunna go check it in about an hour to make sure its not getting too hot. I'll let ya know if it works. Thanks so much for everyones input
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New Member:
freshman
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 25, 2007 - 5:57 pm:
Have you tried elastikon bandage material? Much stronger than vet wrap type products, like a very strong self adhesive ace bandage. Might be worth trying if all else fails. It is pretty pricey, +/- $15 per roll. I wouldn't try it on a bandage that has to be changed every day due to the cost, but for one that can be left on for 2-3 days at a time is definately the best I've tried.
PS Get the 4" rolls from your vet or a vet supply company. Much more expensive at the human pharmacy for thinner rolls.
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 25, 2007 - 7:25 pm:
So far so good taping the brace seems to keep it in place and its working excellently! it's holding the heating packet in place. I can see where shes tried to bite at it but its still in great shape. woot!woot!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Jan 26, 2007 - 6:18 am:
leslie, what are you treating with dry heat?
DrO
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 27, 2007 - 1:17 pm:
treating the hock infection, where she got kicked. trying to get it to drain. I hosed it, then wrapped it. I thought since her leg was kinda wet when I put the heat wrap on it would help.
Now Im just cold hosing it for 15 min, twice a day. If it doest seem better by monday Im gunna take her in to the vet. Ive been very ill so I havent been able to do more than that. I have been keeping a close eye on her temp. its been 100.5 to 101. Today after I hosed it I pushed on it and there was a tiny amount of blood. like a pinprick of blood. thought maybe its starting to open.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 27, 2007 - 8:06 pm:
Dry heat would seal it leslie by drying out the exudate, but moist heat in the form of a hot pack would help open it or blow it open with the hose.
DrO
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 30, 2007 - 12:52 pm:
Thanks to everyone, especially DrO, for all their help. I ended up taking her in to the vet and he gave me some antibiotics.
Thanks,
leslie
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 - 6:28 am:
Leslie how did the veterinarian diagnose infection?
DrO
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 - 10:32 am:
Hi DrO,
He felt it, flexed her hock, watched her walk around. He said he thought he could feel a pocket in there and he didnt think it was in the joint. Then he said I had 2 options
1. put her under anesthesia, open it up and take a look inside.
2. give her antibiotics and he would check her in 7 days. He said it would either start draining again or just go away.
ofcourse, I chose option 2.
after the first dose of antibiotics, it kinda started draining agaiin.
Thanks so much DrO for helping me thru this.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 - 5:55 pm:
Important is to keep it open and draining so it will heal from the inside out leslie, for more on care see Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Wounds / Burns » Long Term Deep Wound Care.
DrO
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 12:54 pm:
will do, Thanks DrO
leslie
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