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Discussion on Swelling Not Subsiding After a Fall
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Member:
Equus75
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 12, 2006 - 10:15 am:
Hi Everyone.
I just wanted to get some ideas from you regarding an issue I'm trying to help a boarder deal with. A week an a half ago, her horse fell onto her knees while being ridden on the trail. After a day or so, swelling occurred in one of her knees. This of course, is to be expected, but the swelling rose up into her shoulder and down to her hoof. She is not lame, and there isn't much heat in the areas, with the exception of the knee...although that has diminished considerably. Of note, however is that the mare is not eating as well as usual, and seems a bit lethargic every now and again. Her vet did some basic checks for infection but did not have a blood work-up done or perform an x-ray. The swelling has not improved at all over the course of the last week despite icing and massage, so any ideas would be appreciated.
Dawn
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Member:
Hwood
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 12, 2006 - 10:41 am:
Gee, Dawn,
Initially, swelling doesn't bother me as much as the change in appetite and demeanor, but if the swelling has been going on with no reduction for over a week . . . well, that seems serious.
If something "chipped" in the knee, that may explain more severe swelling than what would result from just a bruise . . .
but I'm wondering if the trip itself was a result of some other problem . . .
If foreign matter invaded the horse through a cut in the knee, I would suspect infection and fever, but if the vet all ready checked for that and didn't prescribe antibiotics, and since you aren't seeing any change, then I'd call for another check or get a second opinion.
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 12, 2006 - 12:02 pm:
I totally agree with Holly. Swelling that lasts and has spread so far,plus not eating and change in attitude sounds like it could be serious.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Jan 13, 2006 - 7:53 am:
What an unusual case Dawn. Is there no wound from the fall? The comments above have merit, but both infection or chips in the leg almost invariably result in some amount of lameness. I too would not have considered radiographs or blood work, at first, either.
How about fever? The legs needs a very thorough exam trying to localize warm or painful areas on palpation. If nothing is found and there is no lameness phenylbutazone and regular exercise needs to be added to the above regimen.
The timing and location of the swelling is just odd enough that I have to wonder if it might be due to something put on the leg? What topically are you putting on the leg?
DrO
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Member:
Equus75
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 17, 2006 - 12:07 pm:
Jewell is indeed an odd case...she hasn't been running a fever at all, and fortunately her swelling has gone down considerably on its own (with the administration of bute). It turns out that some of the eating issues are being caused by food becoming impacted between 2 gaps in her teeth, one on either side of her mouth. The vet was out to do periodontal work, so hopefully that will help with the food issue. The only thing put on topically was an arnica-based liniment gel (Sore No More). It didn't seem to exacerbate the swelling, but didn't seem to help it either. The fact that she hasn't been lame mystifies me too. 
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 - 10:52 am:
The term for the gaps is diastemata and we discuss this at, Care for Horses » Particular Situations & Procedures » Equine Dentistry.
DrO
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