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  Discussion on Wondering Re: cause of lameness
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Member:
jackiew

Posted on Monday, Jun 1, 2009 - 10:08 pm:

Hi Dr. O,

I have a TB gelding who came in from the field with a small (1/2 inch at most) but deeper cut on the inside of his right hind cannon bone. He had his inside heel nail work loose on the opposite hind, so I am assuming the nail head that was bent and sticking out caught the inside of the right hind and gashed it. It was very tender and over the splint area as well. This was Fri night overnight, he came in that way Sat morning. He will put weight on it when standing, but only a short time, then rests it. There was some minor swelling around the area with a little heat (similar to what I have experienced with small splints in the past, but could just be the cut itself?). It is quite tender to palpate.

I've kept him stall rested, poulticed, and wrapped since then. My question is on the way he carries that leg, as I've never had a lame horse walk the way he is walking now on the right hind. He hits toe first, then puts the heel down. It is not a marked/long delay, and my hubbie--a non horse person, only noticed it after I pointed it out. When I first pulled him out of the stall the day it appeared to happen, I actually thought that maybe he had a huge rock in the heel of his shoe or something.

So, would a hind splint cause that kind of stride? Should I be looking for any other secondary issue that would cause that kind of foot flight pattern? He does not DrOp his hip at all, and does not drag his toe at all. It's just a 2 beat step, toe-heel.

Just curious on anything that may indicate. It has improved over the last 3 days, some, not marked improvement though. Since there is not a lot of swelling, I did not start bute. I have been wanting to monitor his lameness since it was something I hadn't really seen before!

Thanks in advance!!
Member:
jackiew

Posted on Monday, Jun 1, 2009 - 10:26 pm:

PS. No heat in the hoof at all. This is not an ongoing issue, it appeared when the cut/knock occured.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 2, 2009 - 8:07 am:

hello jacqueline,
Could the flexor tendon also be involved? This would cause such a gait.
DrO
Member:
jackiew

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 2, 2009 - 8:41 am:

Hi Dr. O,

I'm sure it is quite possible. It is difficult to palpate the tendon area, as he most often has no weight on the leg.

I will call the vet, don't want to mess around if a tendon could be involved.

In the meantime, any immediate actions you would rec'd besides stall rest, hosing/poultice, and wrap?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 2, 2009 - 6:47 pm:

Good wound care is the main thing and while lame stall rest until the extent of the damage is known seems logical. For more on each of these issues see,
1) Diseases of Horses » Lameness » First Aid for the Lame Horse
(2) Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Wounds / Burns » Wounds: First Aid Care
DrO
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