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Discussion on Swollen hind fetlocks
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Member:
Sjeys
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Posted on Sunday, Oct 22, 2006 - 10:47 pm:
12 yo TB out on new pasture since last night with 3 equine friends showed remarkable hind left fetlock swelling between breakfast and noon. Right hind fetlock is also stocked up though maybe 1/2 as much. 20 minutes of cold hosing showing little improvement. 1 g. bute, 5cc of banamine, 2.5 hours later, perhaps 10% improvement. Started sulfa antibiotics.
Rec'd vaccines including strangles 4 days ago. reluctant to trot, but barely lame. leg is warm (not hot). I have posted camera phone pictures.
Lots of small rocks in certain parts of pasture...no holes. I need to take his temp but will have to wait till a.m. read articles on Purpura hemorrhagica, fetlock lameness. any ideas on what it looks like?
PS: another Filly broke finger during vaccinations, so why the bad typing  
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Member:
Sjeys
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Posted on Sunday, Oct 22, 2006 - 10:50 pm:
here's the other hind fetlock; almost looks like a bad windpuff on the picture, but its not. 
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Oct 23, 2006 - 6:07 am:
The article above and it's link to more information on purpura describe the appearance, feel, and other important diagnostic information. Much of this information cannot be derived from an image, so you are going to have to tell us if you think this is purpura. From the images we can say if it is, it is a mild case at this stage.
We would not recommend you combine the bute and flunixin, instead use appropriate dosages and frequency of either one and it is not cleat that antibiotics are indicated here. For more on all these see the appropriate sections in the medication topic.
DrO
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Member:
Sjeys
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Posted on Monday, Oct 23, 2006 - 2:52 pm:
No fever (in fact temp was 97.7, which prob. indicates faulty thermometer.) Sorry, on original description, bute/cold hose were first, followed by 5.5 hours. then banamine to help overnight.
don't know what it is. the fetlock is still swollen same amount though swelling above fetlock is down consierably. Gums are light pink with normal refill times.
You can press down on the swelling a bit (maybe 1/16th of an inch); it doesn't seem painful at all though he is stiff when he moves due to swelling. Can only hope it isn't a non-displaced fracture. I have a ridiculous vet bill already for calling on every little thing, so will have to wait this one out maybe another 48 hours to see if it resolves.
no bites, no scabs, no photo sensitivity. Warm, fluid filled hard fetlock...weight bearing but stiff and no fever. Hmmm...
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 25, 2006 - 6:55 am:
If the horse does not break with grease heel, I would chalk it up to either a particularly hard romp in the pasture or a mild vaccine reaction but there does not seem to be enough information to differentiate the two.
DrO
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Member:
Sjeys
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 25, 2006 - 10:30 am:
I agree; his hind left ankle is still swollen and he's still stiff on it...but i don't think its more serious than that. The farrier is here today so I'll see what he thinks. How long can the fetlock be swollen (and the ankle below it) before I really should call the vet? We are going on 72 hours now, but with some improvement in the swelling in the first 48). Its just so darn swollen in the fetlock and a tiny bit mushy. Thanks!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Oct 26, 2006 - 7:54 am:
Susan, you should call the veterinarian anytime you are uncertain what is going on, what it's significance is, or what to do about it. I can educate you about how swellings occur, common causes and signs of more serious causes of swelling, and once a diagnosis is made what the appropriate treatment is. But you have to take this information and use it to decide when something is beyond your capacity to handle.
DrO
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