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  Discussion on Fetlock injury combined with hoof abscess?
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New Member:
vgershon

Posted on Saturday, Oct 5, 2013 - 1:32 am:

Two weeks ago my 9 yr old OTTB came home from 6 months training to drive, a career change due to his diagnosis last year with kissing spine. He had been in moderately heavy road work 3-4 days a week and was perfectly sound.
2 days of turnout with yearling and I notice swelling on inside LF, just at the wind puff area. It is warm, but he was sound. 2 more days he is more swollen and lame at trot, still turned out, but alone. Begin cold hosing twice daily, vet checks him and thinks he just hit himself and will improve with rest.
I want to do more, so put some DMSO on ankle. Next day swelling and lameness improved.
2 more days, very lame at walk, swelling on inside LF fetlock returned, but LF pastern is now huge all around Small opening front of coronary band seems to have slight drainage. Still cold hosing. A week has gone by, vet is out again. This time some reaction to hoof testers that was not present before. Diagnosis is some hoof abscess is now more of a problem than original fetlock trauma. Go to hot soaks.
Coronary band opens more, not sure if there really is an abscess or just irritation from DMSO. 3 more days of hot soaks gets no opening and coronary band is healing and cool.
At 2 weeks, slightly off at walk, very off at trot, small swelling and heat inside LF fetlock. LF pastern remains twice normal size. Hard swelling all around, goes down only slightly with cold hosing (gave up hot soaks). Hot along tendon/ligament? that runs directly down mid-back pastern from fetlock to heel.

1. I think I have original trauma to inside fetlock, combined with something like cellulitis of the pastern from the DMSO. It is not scratches, this guy has had plenty of that. There is no skin irritation - it is deeper.
2. I have not been encouraged by vet or trainer to put him on stall rest, but I think I should.
3. I have Previcox for my aged gelding, which I think I should try. As well as more cold hosing.
4. Antibiotic for cellulitis? He is eating, grazing, and in good spirits. Just lame with persistent swelling of entire pastern and one spot of heat at upper inside fetlock.

Perplexed,
Vgershon
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Oct 6, 2013 - 10:30 am:

Welcome Vgershon,
You describe the typical history for a hoof abscess from the beginning. Often it will present with early swelling and mild lameness that worsens until it ruptures out at the coronet. And yes the swelling as high as the fetlock can happen. First get the abscess treated then assess the ankle. We have an article on treating hoof abscesses at HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Hoof Abscesses, Bruises, and Gravels. The recommendations are different than what you have done so far.
DrO
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