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Member:
kellys

Posted on Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 - 2:43 pm:

Hi Dr. O and members,

I have a 34 year old arab with cushings and melanoma. He was extremely lame two days ago (left front) so I had the vet out and she came back to xray him yesterday. He is on bute 2 grams twice a day but still very uncomfortable and only moves when necessary. Here are the results of the xrays:

The right front has no rotation but the coffin bone has DrOpped. He was x-rayed with cotton pads and vet wrap so the vet could not say exactly how far his coffin bone was from the sole or ground, I was not clear on how the measurement is done. I think she said 1.5 cm but because of the cotton pad she approximated 1cm. The right front still has concavity.

The left front is rotated 17 degrees. The sole has flattened. The sole is thin in front of the tip of the frog and she found an ulcer there.

First question, she put an Epsom salt poultice on to draw out the infection and told me to soak his feet in Epsom salt then rewrap them with more of the poultice. It is a minty green goo, can't remember the name. Should a foot that has foundered with rotation be kept dry? Could a soft wet sole cause further damage?

I don't have the radiographs and will send them when I get them. Based on my description, am I fighting a losing battle? He has suffered through a south Louisiana summer and I was so looking forward to cooler weather for him. Just a few weeks ago he was cantering around the pen and whinnying when he saw someone putting out ground poles. Think he was remembering his younger days. It was difficult sleeping last night in a comfortable bed with a/c when I know he was in pain.

Thanks for any advice,
Kelly
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Sep 1, 2014 - 6:23 pm:

Hello Kelly,
Sorry to hear about such a serious situation. The questions you ask are very dependent on the results of a good examination. If there is significant infection soaking could help but finding the source and relieving it by draining the infection is much quicker.

The real question here is do you feel confident in the advice and medical help you are getting? If not seek a second opinion.
DrO
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