2 new ?splints? on box rest?

AlpacaTeddySJ

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Hi,

My horse is on box rest at the moment, and initially had his leg bandaged after an operation on his RF (superglued).

However, tonight when checking him out I noticed 2 new bumps that look like splints, quite hard feeling and bony, however they are very hot to the touch. I suppose I was shocked as there are 2 in a row rather than the usual single lump.

I iced once for an hour and am waiting for ice boots to re-freeze. I can’t cold hose as he won’t stand still for it.

I can’t imagine how these bumps would have occurred other than the few times he has leaped into the air out of pure frustration during our hand walking sessions.

Any suggestions on how to proceed/treat? Will likely contact vets in the morning - but would prefer to wait for Monday call out if not super urgent…£££.

Here’s an image of the bumps - the scabs on the front of his legs are from super glue I believe, they’re coming off slowly with Vaseline.

4BDAD045-2A89-45FC-B72C-94BAC61CD2B1.jpeg

TIA
 

HashRouge

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Was this part of the leg bandaged? My mare developed some lumps down the back of her cannon bone when her leg was bandaged for an injury years ago. The bandaging was being done by a vet so I assume not too tight, but she did have to have her leg bandaged fairly long term and the lumps were some form of pressure sore, just without the skin being broken, if that makes sense. They looked very similar to those lumps.
 

Red-1

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It doesn't look like a splint to me (although hard to tell from one photo!).

I would suspect some filling (possibly caused by box rest itself, or the trauma of surgery), that has been shaped by the pressure from the bandage. It can feel fairly hard, and doesn't necessarily mean the bandage was badly applied. The excess lymph will find the loosest point to fill into. It also wouldn't necessarily be long term or harmful.

However, as there has been an operation, I would still recommend calling the vet asap, especially if there is also heat. An infection is much easier to deal with if caught early.
 

AlpacaTeddySJ

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How is he today?
They are definitely pressure sores from bandaging. I was super careful bandaging with Gamgee etc but he had them on for 1.5 weeks changed every 2 days.
I poulticed overnight to see if anything would come out (although they feel hard), and a very small amount of ‘scab juice’ (I really don’t know how else to describe sorry!) was on the poultice which did not smell of anything sinister at all. I put on some antibacterial/septic spray and left uncovered and this morning all heat has gone from the leg. So I’ve put some antibacterial gel on them to keep them soft but it should be fine. Will also be contacting the vets this morning to relay this and see what they suggest if anything!
 

AlpacaTeddySJ

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If it is infected he would probably be really lame and it would be hot, so fingers crossed its just from the bandage.

Oh he’s definitely not lame on it, no heat in the leg today, and also the heat yesterday was contained to the area where the scabs are, no heat upper or lower and nothing in the foot etc.
Shall see how he gets on later today and keep a close eye.
 
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