This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Joint, Bone, Ligament Diseases » Angular Limb Deformities in Foals »
  Discussion on Post staple treatment
Author Message
Member:
Fouch

Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 9:19 am:

I have to have staples put in both front knees on a foal. I was just wondering how long he will need to be stalled and how long the legs will need to be wrapped.
Member:
Eoeo

Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 9:38 am:

You should find all this out from the vet/vets that will do the work before or at the time they do the procedure. Ask questions, ask questions, ask questions, and make sure you get answers. Good Luck. EO
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 5:38 pm:

LKR is right, these decisions are based on several clinical observations we don't have, most important how severe the deformity is and how well the surgery goes. Unless there are complications or unusual circumstances absolute stall rest following the procedure is not desirable for more than a day or two but restriction to a paddock may be recommended until the staples are removed.
DrO
Member:
Fouch

Posted on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 - 8:58 am:

My vet indicated that the legs weren't too bad and should straighten out within 6 weeks. He is recommending two weeks of stall rest with leg wraps during this time. It sure would be nice if he could be in a paddock. The mare is going stir crazy being in a stall all of the time.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 6:56 am:

What is his concern that leads to 2 weeks of stall rest, has he had trouble with swelling when exercised earlier?
DrO
Member:
Fouch

Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 8:40 am:

Let me give you an update on the foal. The stitches have been removed from the surgery and there is swelling in both knees and the foal is lame in one leg. He had difficulty bending the leg and there was a hard knot on the incision side (inside) of the knee. X-rays show that the staples are in place and do not indicate any arthritis. The vet thinks the hard spot is scar tissue and has recommended keeping both legs bandaged and physical therapy of bending the leg for 30 minutes each day. He also wants as little exercise as possible. Between the splints for contracted tendons and leg wraps from the surgery, the poor foal has had very little turnout since he was born. He is also getting very irritable over having his legs wrapped...to the point that I am not sure with my limited help it is going to be possible. If the legs can't be wrapped will the healing process just be longer or will there be permanent damage? Any suggestions?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 11:05 pm:

Scott, wrapping has nothing to do with the action of the staples, only the secondary swelling. And this secondary swelling...it is hard to figure how it might have permanent consequences. Have you tried a little Banamine for the swelling and lameness?
DrO
Member:
Fouch

Posted on Thursday, Jun 1, 2006 - 10:46 am:

The vet mentioned that there weren't any good oral anti-inflamatory drugs for a foal and that an injectible-type would be a problem (I guess just the frequency of the shots). One day he looks better and the next he looks worse. I don't know if it is the scar tissue causing the lameness or if there is irritation from the staple.
Member:
Banthony

Posted on Thursday, Jun 1, 2006 - 12:27 pm:

Scott, We had a 7 month old thoroughbred colt fracture his P1 just before we were going to wean him. He and his mother had to be stalled for 60 days!

The mare was a trouper, but did start bucking a lot in the stall toward the end. We started out giving the mare and foal both Quietex. But it works less and less as time goes on. We ended up giving the colt an injection of Prolixin - a long term tranquilizer. And it really helped.

I don't know how old your foal is and if this would be an option. But something to check out.

Banamine can be given orally. It is really bitter and we give it in a syringe with a little molasses.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Jun 2, 2006 - 7:31 am:

Scott, on a young foal I too would recommend oral flunixin (Banamine) at the low end of dosing recommended in our article, Equine Medications and Nutriceuticals » Anti-inflammatories (NSAID's, Steroids, Arthritis Rx) » Flunixin (Banamine). I would have hoped it would control inflammation and get me past the painful stage. When do the staples come out?
DrO
Member:
Fouch

Posted on Thursday, Jun 8, 2006 - 7:34 am:

The vet thought it would take at least another month to six weeks before the staples could come out. I got some banamine paste from the local vet yesterday. How many days is it safe to give the banamine?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jun 8, 2006 - 10:34 am:

How old is this foal Scott?
DrO
Member:
Fouch

Posted on Friday, Jun 9, 2006 - 8:52 am:

The foal is three months old and the staples have been in about 4 weeks.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 - 7:08 am:

Sorry for the slow response Scott, I unexpectedly did not have internet service for 4 days. At 12 weeks you can follow the recommendations in the article on Banamine which means coming off soon. How is the foal doing?
DrO
Member:
Fouch

Posted on Thursday, Jun 15, 2006 - 1:44 pm:

I have been doing the physical therapy for the last two weeks and yesterday it looked like he was walking normally for the first time since he was born. He looked a little stiff today but is still better than he was. Also, in the last couple of days I have seen a significant straightening in his legs, so the staples appear to be working.

I may wait and use the Banamine when the staples come out. As always I appreciate your insights.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Jun 16, 2006 - 11:29 am:

Super Scott,
DrO
Member:
Fouch

Posted on Sunday, Oct 1, 2006 - 9:24 am:

DrO,
I thought I would give you a follow up and had a question. The staples were finally removed 9 days ago. One leg still needed some straightening but the staples had popped out. The legs have been wrapped for nine days and he has been either in a stall or small paddock. I left the wraps off last night and there is some swelling in both knees. He hasn't shown any lameness so I haven't given any banamine yet. Should I continue to wrap the legs or would there be swelling when the wraps are removed no matter how long it was done?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Oct 2, 2006 - 6:41 am:

No, eventually the propensity to swell will subside but whether to continue to wrap depends on the degree of swelling. If not remarkable you may get by without it while waiting for this to repair otherwise continue to wrap.
DrO
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC