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  Discussion on Head Injury w/Swelling
Author Message
New Member:
Terip

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2005 - 3:04 pm:

My horse got upset in the trailer and knocked his head. He has a swelling above his left eye, in the depression above it. He's acting normal, and the day after the injury the swelling appeared to be going down. This is now the third day and the swelling is still there with no further reduction. It feels soft. There is hair missing on the area above the eye, where the ridge of bone is so I'm thinking that's where he hit. I have a call in to my vet.

My question is, without any other symptoms is it likely he fractured the bone? If this were a fracture, would there be anything one could do for it or would it just be allowed to heal on it's own? Should I have called the vet immediately or was it appropriate to wait and see in this case?

Teri
Member:
Sswiley

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2005 - 5:14 pm:

I had a horse that bonked his head on the top edge of a window. There was no apparent pain and I even rode him. The next day he had a large swelling above his eye. Turned out he fractured his sinus bone and the swelling was air leaking out and being trapped under his skin. It was gone in two days and there were no other complications.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Dec 1, 2005 - 7:45 am:

As Shelly experience shows yes a fracture is possible.
DrO
Member:
Terip

Posted on Friday, Dec 2, 2005 - 2:09 pm:

Shelley,
That's very interesting. How was it determined that your horse had fractured the sinus bone? Did you have xrays done or was it a matter of your vet knowing why there was air trapped?
My vet told me not to worry as they swell so easily around the eyes but she did not come look at him. Now that you mention air being trapped I believe his swelling does feel like air, although how can I really tell without ever feeling that before? It is also less swollen in the morning and more in the afternoon. It does appear to be going down slowly.
Member:
Sswiley

Posted on Friday, Dec 2, 2005 - 4:51 pm:

The swelling seemed like an air pillow. It was very soft.
As far as what to do with a head injury I think ice and bute are probably the best. Not much you can do if they have a fracture. Just keep them quiet and let it heal. I do know that if it is a blow to the top of the head, you are concerned about bruising of their brain. I seem to recall bute was recommended for a horse that hit his head real hard on the top. Is that right Dr. O?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Dec 4, 2005 - 9:10 am:

Swelling caused by air trapped in the subcutaneous tissues feels a bit like crinkly plastic wrap and even crackles lightly when you press over it. It is called “crepitus” and when found associated with a wound of the head usually does represent a fracture allowing air from the sinuses to escape into the surrounding tissues.
DrO
Member:
Terip

Posted on Monday, Dec 5, 2005 - 1:02 pm:

So Dr. O, I checked and I DO get that crackly sound. I've got two local vets that told me over the phone to just watch him, it will take time for the swelling to subside and he'd be having bad symptoms by now if his sinuses were injured, and I'm not prepared for the expense of hauling him to the equine hospital for tests. Can I have my local vet take x-rays and will that tell us enough for treatment? What kind of treatment would one expect? What kind of scenarios? What kind of questions should I ask my vet?
Teri
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Dec 5, 2005 - 7:47 pm:

You should ask your vet whether they are comfortable with radiographing the skull but yes field radiographs of the skull can be done. The treatment and prognosis will depend on what the exam and radiographs find, often these fractures are not displaced remarkably and don’t require treatment. One thing you and your vet should know if there is fever present so take your horses temperature before you call.
DrO
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