Am I doing everything right? Advice please re fractured splint bone

Cazza525

Cazza525

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3 weeks ago fractured splint bone, deteriorating in the last few days and vet has given more antibiotics for possible bone infection. Mare is systematically well with no body temp and looking well. Very tender and painful leg where initial trauma was. Her knee and part way down splint is hot and swollen. More able to weightbare today than yesterday but still moving gingerly!

I am giving brekkie at 7 containing 1 bute, antibiotic, joint supplement all in topspec topchop lite. I then remove stable bandages and cold hose for 10 mins. Muck out whilst her leg drying and then rebandage. Check at lunch and add more hay if needed. Give tea at 4..30/5 containing all the above plus regumate. I then cold hose again and reapply bandages. Final check at 9/10.

She is happy, content and being a good patient! She has straw bedding, solidly banked and not too deep on the base so she can move easier rather than lifting her leg more than necessary. Her hay is good quality and adlib. I have hung a stable licket but she takes no notice really, more interested in the hay before going back to sleep! She's very placid!

Please could I have some feed back that I am doing the right things by other peoples experiences? Are there better alternatives for swelling and heat? ie. ice boots???

Mare is 20 and generally not really stabled unless horrific in winter....she is homebred and by no means a stressy type.
 
Sounds like you're doing all u can to me. I've had 2 horses with fractured/shattered splints :( One needed surgery because the fragments were irritating the surrounding tendons/ligaments, so had to be removed.
Only thing i did different to u (and would always do again) is send them to a rehab yard to use the cold water hydrotherapy spa. Really speeds up the healing process. WHEN i win the lottery, Im going to buy one! :)
Good luck to u though. I know how u must be feeling x
 
When our driving pony fractured her splint bone the vets said it is usually advisable to remove the broken bone or the fragments and healing process do nothing but cause problems and the horse remains on and off lame. They said it was a pretty straightforward op and had a great prognosis for a full recovery. This wasn't a youngster either, the pony was eighteen at the time. She'd also punctured her tendon sheath and had that flushed out. She made a full recovery.

Have you discussed the operation with the vets? There's perhaps a reason why its not the best option for your horse, but my vets really stressed that having the operation would be the best thing to do for our pony.
 
The vets have discussed the op but due to the frscture being very clean and looks to be healing, they are trying to avoid it. She is again brighter in herself this evening :)
 
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