advice/reassurance please - cut and swollen leg!

[muddypony]

hi everyone, just got back from a few days away and found my horse with a cut leg. he has been checked daily but obviously not inspected closely, i didn't even notice this cut until i turned him round me to shut the gate and notices he was really quite stiff on the leg. sorry if this is all a bit babbled, i think i'm quite upset. YO wasn't there when i found him and i was in hysterics not knowing whether to call vet or not. luckily YO turned up after 5 mins.

the cut is on his gaskin and at first i thought it was worse than it is, because it has bled a bit, making it look bigger and it's got a bit crusty. long story short, YO looked at it and it is quite swollen and he is stiff walking on it, in trot he is hopping and when he bucked and took a couple of canter strides when i turned him out he didn't put the foot down at all. the swelling is soft and i didn't feel any heat, there is no pus or anything. i think i just need someone to put my mind at ease really, YO has said he will be fine and he has had it cold hosed, had purple spray put on and has gone back out - he lives out, gets stressed in the stable and YO thinks movement will help the swelling. i suspect it's a kick, because the cut is small and i don't see how that it would cause such swelling.

i think i'm just worried about the swelling, and whether it could get infected or that there's more damage than just bruising. would a bruise make his leg sore enough that it's uncomfortable to walk on? should i get the vet if it's not better tomorrow? bear in mind he is a wimpy tb. he is up to date with tetanus vacs.

worried mummy!!!!!

 

[BethH]

I think if you are worried you should at least call and talk to the vet, who can advise you as to whether they feel they should visit. They can prescribe you some bute and antibiotics at the very least so you know you are nipping any potential problem in the bud. I wouldn't normally call the vet out for a small cut, but if he is that lame and the leg is swollen I would definitely at least talk to them.

You are going to worry until an expert tells you he is fine, so call and put your mind at rest.

 

[glenruby]

A bruise shouldnt make it sore enough that the horse goes non weight bearing. Is it anywhere near the stifle? If not, Id keep cold hosing, forget the purple spray ( totally useless!) and give a sachet of bute tomorrow morning and get vet out on Monday. If hes quiet in the field keep him out, if not stable him or section off a small area of the field.
3 weeks ago I operated on a horse with a small 5day old wound on his gaskin. He was kicked during work on the track. Result was a number of small fractues and he required an operation to removed the sequestra (quite near the joint actually). He will have 6 weeks box rest due to risk of hairline fractue and to give time for the bone to remodel.

Chances are your guy is fine. Vet is unlikely to do much tomorrow (i1 not likely to scan or x ray unless your horse is completely non-weightbearing) so Id wait til Monday morning and book a call out for precautionary x ray and a course of antibiotics. Just keep him quiet and comfortable in the meantime.


ETA - if your practice will give you ABs in the meantime that is the best option. Then you can see how he is on Monday as to whther you need a call out.

 

[muddypony]

thanks guys, not what i wanted to hear but certainly what i needed to hear it seems. it isn't near the stifle, it's on the most muscly bit of the gaskin (the 'fullest' part, so to speak) and he is very quiet in the field, never seen him hoon around and he would definitely be unhappy in a stable.
if no improvement in movement or swelling tomorrow i will definitely call the vet, at least for advice if not for a visit. i just pray that nothing at all is wrong and it's just his thin skinned tb wimpyness.