Am at a total loss over what to do

Laafet

Laafet

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Murphy sustained a chip fracture to the proximal part of his hock joint on March 1st. At the time he was on loan to a para rider whom looked after him perfectly. He went dead lame during a training session and vet was called, scans were inconclusive and x-ray showed a chip fracture and lots of arthritis. Murphy had never been lame in the 9 years I have owned him and I got him shortly after he was broken in. After box rest for nearly three months I took him home and started his rehab as described by vet. I then took him for his 3 month scan and x-ray at Rossdales, my vet practice. MH found that Murphy had torn his collateral liagment which accounts for the odd bone fracture that the other vet (RCVS) could not explain. Why they didn't pick it up on scans I do not know. Anyway Murphy was about 2/10 lame by this stage on no bute and this was a whole lot better than 8/10 lame at the time of accident. MH asked if I'd try a steriod injection in hock, he warned it may not work as it was into the top part of hock and they rarely medicated there. 2 weeks after the injection Murphy was brill, leg was better and lameness improved. Talk of ridden exercise was mentioned and I kept him partially penned to help recovery. Now 3 weeks post injection Murphy has a hottish hock but what is worse is the fetlock joint and up the leg but not to the hock yet is a swelling, it is hot and he is lame. He rests the leg all the time which he did not before. Vet is coming out next week for an assessment but I am worried. I have been advised not to give bute for now as it is a contraindication (sp). I knew Murph would never compete again but I just wanted him to be happy in a paddock so he can enjoy some retirement. Being penned up is not good enough for him and he craves horsey attention but if his leg doesn't come right I am faced with some difficult decisions. Last week I was so positive as he hadn't taken a bad step since his accident, now I am not so sure. Thanks for getting this far, am so upset. We have all tried so hard to help and he is only 14.
 
Is this new symptom a complete fluke and nothing to do with his hock? How do you know he hasn't got a foot abscess and the swelling is travelling up his leg? I think an infection post treatment and esp. in a joint would have showed up ages before now.

Keep calm (easy for me to say!) and don't cross bridges or jump to conclusions yet.

Good luck and keep us informed.
 
Well I hope the vet finds something like an absess next week. He is really lame in trot. He's happy though and not very pleased about being penned again. He tries to take it down by taking the poles out which are not electric with his teeth!
 
I would be getting the vet straight out (not waiting till next week) as this sounds like it may be unrelated to the 1st injury to me.
 
I had to wait a long time for my vet to come. Circumstances beyond their control, and then on the day he was definitely coming he was called out to an emergency, possible strangles, so had to postpone again. I know how desperate you must be feeling, it's only last Friday that we we're expecting the worst ourselves.

Don't give anything that could mask pain before the vet sees him that would be futile. I would certainly start cold hosing though, that's soothing. Also an oldfashioned remedy is to wrap a big green leaf, cabbage, dock, burdock or something like that, around the area. Then apply a bandage over the leaf, no padding. The leaf will draw out heat and completely dry out so that it's crisp and crumbly. You can change it every couple of hours. Best of all it's free and can't do any harm.
 
Oh laafet how devastating. Did your vets talk to you about the risks with steroid injections and horses? Like PiebaldSparkle, I feel that it would be too much of a coincidence for this not to be connected to the original injury. I'd definitely get the vet out pronto but try not to panic in the meantime coz it could be something relatively simple or that will resolve quickly. Also like MacT says, try not to mask the pain too much. I'd keep Murphy on a deep soft bed til the vet gets there, just in case x
 
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Like PiebaldSparkle, I feel that it would be too much of a coincidence for this not to be connected to the original injury.

[/ QUOTE ]

Um no, as stated above I think there is every chance it is UNRELATED , hence I wouldn't be waiting for the vets scheduled follow-up visit. I would be getting them out straight away.
 
Any infection from the steroid injection would have shown up in 12-72 hours. I know, I work in a hospital. This is something to be relieved about, an infection in a joint would be bad news.

Try to keep positive, hose the leg like somebody suggested and keep you fingers crossed. It probably relates to the original injury. I hope he is ok, let us know how he gets on.
 
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