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Discussion on Small leg wound w/ heat & swelling
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Member:
leec
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Posted on Friday, Aug 19, 2011 - 11:53 am:
Hi all,
Came home from work yesterday and found my husband’s mare with a swollen left hind from the fetlock to the hock. She did not present lame. I cold hosed the leg and when it was wet I noticed a scrape halfway up the back of her leg over the tendon. It’s about an inch long and runs vertically. There was a tiny bit of blood dried into the hair around it. Judging by the mare’s reaction, it is definitely tender around the site. I cleaned the area with a betadine solution as best I could, but could not get an open wound??? I’m guessing it has been there for a few days and has maybe started to heal??? We did ride through some heavy brush/windfall on Monday. I applied an antibiotic cream over the area and gave her some Bute. This morning the swelling is the same. The front of the leg is cool, but there is heat at the back of the leg up the tendon. I can’t find my thermometer to take her temp, so will have to go into town and pick one up. My concern is something may be embedded in there and/or infection. Do you think I should get aggressive and get the wound opened up, or am I wiser get the vet up at this time?
Thank you,
Lee C
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Aug 19, 2011 - 6:31 pm:
Hello Lee,
Of course whenever there is uncertainty you should call your vet. With pocketed up infection in the leg there is always lameness Lee. If a horse is sound and there is NO FEVER chances are there is no infection, at least at this time. Consider adding some bute to the horses treatment to help bring down the swelling that may be edema due to blunt trauma.
DrO
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Member:
leec
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Posted on Saturday, Aug 20, 2011 - 12:04 am:
Hi DrO,
Thanks for your response. No fever yet. I called my vet and she had me come down and pick up what I would need to sweat the leg. She is on call this weekend so I am to call her if the mare spikes a fever or goes lame. We have her on Bute and she was less grumpy this afternoon when I was bandaging 
Lee C
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Saturday, Aug 20, 2011 - 9:10 pm:
Just be vigilant about the possibility of cellulitis.
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Member:
leec
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 21, 2011 - 11:10 am:
Hi Vicki,
Thanks for the tip. I've never come across cellulitis before, so good to be educated
Lee
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