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Discussion on Swollen fetlock, no lameness
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Member:
Amoh
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Posted on Thursday, Dec 1, 2005 - 7:31 am:
Hi Dr O
My newish horse has come in from the field with a warm swollen front fetlock. There is no noticible lameness - (the vet said only a negligible amount after flexion and trotting away on a not very good surface.) He is hopeful of an infection (there is a small nick at the site of most swelling)and prescribed 5 days bute and anti-biotics and rest. He cannot however rule out branch suspensory strain unless the swelling subsides with the anti-biotics. My question is how likely is it to be suspensory strain given the lack of lameness?
Many thanks
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Dec 1, 2005 - 10:00 am:
The information you give really does not differentiate between a plethora of possible inflammatory diseases of the fetlock but infection does not seem likely as a non-draining infected wound of this area should be very painful.
The nick suggests superficial trauma caused the problem and perhaps the underlying tissues bruised? But that is just a suggestion.
DrO
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Member:
Amoh
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Posted on Friday, Dec 2, 2005 - 12:20 pm:
The skin has taken on a ridged appearance and the swelling/heat does reduce considerably after walkingand/or hosing - is that relevant?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Dec 4, 2005 - 9:18 am:
Though I don't know the meaning if the part about a rigid appearance, the fact if it responsive to cold hosing makes an underlying abscess less likely.
DrO
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Member:
Amoh
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Posted on Monday, Dec 5, 2005 - 7:40 am:
Thanks Dr O - what i meant was there was a series of ridges, rather than it being rigid! 
Anyway the swelling and heat all vanished very suddenly on Saturday and hasn't come back, even after standing in or being ridden at walk. The fetlock is completely back to normal with only a little hard scab where the nick was. He had his last dose of bute and anti-biotic yesterday.I have a call out to the vet to get his opinion, but I would have thought this is all very promising?
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Member:
Amoh
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Posted on Monday, Dec 5, 2005 - 6:18 pm:
Update - I've obviously just been getting my hopes up - the swelling and heat were back today although again all but disappeared with hosing and walking. Still no lameness at walk (didn't do trot.) Bute and anti-biotics now finished. I await a call from my vet but I imagine he will want to ultrasound - do you concur Dr O?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Dec 5, 2005 - 7:52 pm:
Sorry to hear the swelling is back, perhaps a bit of pressure bandaging between hosings might help control this. Whether to US or not should be governed by the findings on the physical exam but the lack if lameness makes the need to US a lot less likely to find anything significant.
DrO
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Member:
Amoh
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Posted on Thursday, Dec 8, 2005 - 6:42 am:
Hi Dr O
The vet examined my horse yesterday and felt the injury was superficial but due to the location (right where the suspensory joins the sesamoid bone - I think)decided to scan to be sure. Good news was there was no evidence of any trauma to the ligament itself - on shaving the fetlock the wound was very obvious and he believes there's just a bit of skin scarring on top of the ligament and the swelling was due to infection. The swelling has now gone anyway but he's given him more anti-biotics and bute to be on the safe side. Just got to bring him back to work slowly over the next few weeks or so which is great news! Thanks again for all your input.
Anna-Marie
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