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  Discussion on Swelling
Author Message
Member:
Gwen

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 21, 2005 - 7:48 am:

My horse is lame on his front left and the soft tissue behind the cannon is puffy. He has been off for about three days now, however I really just noticed the puffiness yesterday. Initially, I was assuming that it was the hard ground and new shoes, and that is why I didn't look for the swelling sooner. Anyway, my question is how to treat it. I am pretty sure that it happened either when he was playing in the snow, or slipping on ice. I am thinking that I should probably give him some bute, but what about cold treatment? Is it too late to use that as a therapy? Also, my hose is frozen so I can't hose it. Any suggestions if that is what I should be doing?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Dec 22, 2005 - 8:29 am:

Hello Gwen,
The swelling is not diagnostic for any particular disease and can even be incidental. Soft tissue disease, bone disease, and even hoof abscesses can cause such swellings, for more on this see the article associated with this forum. For information on how to diagnose the lameness see, Equine Diseases » Lameness » Localizing Lameness in the Horse.


To know how to properly treat this requires a diagnosis. We do have an article for treating undiagnosed lameness but we always recommend you get a diagnosis}, see Equine Diseases » Lameness » First Aid for the Lame Horse.
DrO
New Member:
Cspanhel

Posted on Sunday, Aug 27, 2006 - 1:06 pm:

Hi, I just joined, and this is my first post. I have tons of horse problems right now, but I will start with this one.

My yearling filly developed swelling around the right front fetlock 3 weeks ago. A vet did an exam + xrays to rule out OCD and related problems. Nothing negative turned up via the exam or the x-rays. The conclusion was that the filly just banged her leg somehow.

They sent me home with a large vet bill and a potion (their own recipe) to spray on the swelling once a day--it has DMSO in it among other undisclosed ingredients. I used it for one week, and over time, the swelling lessened, but she still has what appear to be bubbles of fluid on the inside and outside of the fetlock--the outside one is larger--perhaps the size of a half-dollar.

I gave her bute for 2 days last week to see if that would reduce the swelling--it didn't.

She is not lame, and the swelling doesn't appear to be painful, but I am worried because it is hanging on so long.

This filly has very large bone, and she seems quite large for her age.

THANK YOU. cynthia
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Sunday, Aug 27, 2006 - 1:44 pm:

Cynthia, welcome to HA. I looked at your profile, and WOW!!!! I just LOVE your horse(s). Beautiful . . . I doubt I will ever have the kind of horse I love to see performing most . . . the kinds you breed . . . but I am happy for you that you can have such lovely animals . . . because I can watch them!

I know someone else or Dr. O. will tell you to, please, not post at the end of someone else's discussion but to go ALL the way to the bottom of the lists of posts under your desired topic and click on "Start New Discussion," so I figure I will do it and give you a compliment on your horses at the same time.

. . . and I don't know WHAT the swelling (bubbles) could be on your filly, but I am sure that Dr. O. or some other members may have seen something similar and can help you with finding out what is wrong. This is really simple, but could she have gotten into some kind of thistle or sticker plant and just have blisters of infection around imbedded thorns? Since I can't see the "bubbles," I don't know if that is a possibility.
New Member:
Cspanhel

Posted on Sunday, Aug 27, 2006 - 2:05 pm:

Holly, thank you for pointing out my posting error! I was just in such a rush to post...I should have read more before posting...in any case, THANK YOU, and thank you for the compliments on my horses...they are all very dear. By the way, that is not me riding in my picture--that is a trainer.

cynthia
Member:
36541

Posted on Sunday, Aug 27, 2006 - 8:49 pm:

Cynthia, can you post a picture of the filly's legs? Might be good to see both front legs so we can see what you are describing with reference to her large bone... and welcome to HA... Stacy
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