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  Discussion on 1 swollen fetlock, no heat but pain
Author Message
New Member:
Sahramon

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 15, 2005 - 8:29 am:

Two weeks ago I had the vet out to see to my horses' teeth, I also wanted him to check a lump on a hind fetlock. The lump was probably about the size of a very large pea at the time. There was no heat, and no lameness presented. The vet did not feel there was anything he could do, since there were no real symptoms. Now the same fetlock is swollen, there is no heat, but there is most likely pain from the pony's reaction. He doesn't want me to handle this particular leg, but is fine about the others. There is no sign of lameness.

The pony is 14 years old, and does a little light riding every now and then (mostly on a lead rein for friend's children), none in the past month. His appetite remains fine, he is out at pasture (20 acres) 24 X 7. Conditions are very dry at present, so he gets an evening meal (no changes in feed). He is not overweight. No toxic plants evident in the paddock. The affected hind foot has a white sock (identical to the non-affected hind foot).

I am quite puzzled by this, his aged paddock mate is fine and they are both quiet and amiable together - no rough housing, so it's unlikely to be a kick.

My vet didn't seem interested in coming back unless the pony actually went lame. I am concerned, particularly since last year he went on loan to a young girl and was given back after a week as being lame. And he was lame in the same leg, however it subsided with a few days rest, before the vet could come out. It was put down to too much riding, unshod, after he had been a paddock pony for some time. He was supposed to only be used as a lead pony, but the mother also rode him every day, it turned out.

Any thoughts on this condition would be appreciated.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 15, 2005 - 10:57 pm:

It is not clear in your post why this is happening. Without more information you pressure wrap the swollen leg at night and as long as there is no lameness you continue to work the pony lightly. For more see:
Equine Diseases » First Aid » Pressure Wraps, Poultices, Cold and Heat Therapy for Swelling in Horse Legs
and
Equine Diseases » Skin Diseases » Swellings / Localized Infection / Abscesses » Diagnosing and Assessing Swellings in Horses.
DrO
Member:
Sahramon

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 16, 2005 - 12:48 am:

It's not clear to me why this might be happening either! That's why I asked, I thought you might have some ideas - or at least questions to ask that I hadn't thought of -- I've given you all the information I can think of. I've also been through your archives.

Thank you anyway
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 16, 2005 - 7:07 am:

Carole the article on swellings has ideas on why horses get swellings and ways to differentiate them. Because we cannot examine your horse "guessing" from our end is not just ineffective but dangerous if we guess wrong. The important thing for you is to understand the range of possibilites and by studying the articles you may be able to see things you did not before and better diagnose your horse's problem. The recommendations on treatment stands.
DrO
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