Am I overthinking this?

[sugarpony]

Horse came in with a fat leg last week, no lameness. Put ice boot on but continued to get bigger, and he was very touchy about it and trying to kick when pressing the swelling (very out of character!). Only on the inside of one hind leg, from middle of the cannon bone down to fetlock, very obviously distorted on that side. By time vet arrived swelling started to spread to the outside of the leg too. It is the same leg that had a tiny bit of mud fever on inside of the fetlock.

Vet came out, suspected early cellulitis despite lack of lameness as was “pitting oedema” and painful when you press the swelling. Confirmed he wasn’t lame. Injection of bute and antibiotics given, has been on oral antibiotics finished today. Have been working lightly throughout as per instructions. Leg is now 90% normal, tiny bit of filling still but not noticeable unless you’re looking for it.

We are meant to be doing a local event training day tomorrow, when I asked the vet he said he would be fine to go. Said most likely swelling will fully go over the next few days and nothing to worry about. Am I being stupid to still go? Is there a chance there’s an underlying injury being missed?

Horse has been 100% sound and responded to treatment as expected. He’s not had any bute since Monday and swelling has continued to decrease every day with just antibiotics and exercise. He looked fab on the lunge today. I don’t want to pull out, and vet has okayed, but I’m worrying if I’ve made the right decision or not. Though I suppose I could go, and if any hint of not rightness we can come home, I’m not getting my money back anyway!

 

[DabDab]

Don't know if you are over thinking really but I totally get you. I wouldn't want to take one of mine out to proper training with a swelling still there, I'd be riding at home but I would want to see swelling completely gone and all fine for a couple of days before taking them out. No particular logic to that, it would just be for my own peace of mind. Having said that I highly doubt a injury has been missed given your vet's advice so going should be pretty low risk.

Sorry that is probably absolutely no help - basically I would be in the same quandary as you, so I just thought I would reply to sympathise!

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I would go but be ready to pull out if I felt unhappy with him.

 

[Squeak]

I had a horse with cellulitis and the swelling took blooming months to properly go so based on that experience and the vet being happy with his diagnosis you should be fine to go. However if it's not an important event you could well take it easy for another week or so and build up the work so that you can see how the leg responds to more work.

 

[sugarpony]

So it went well, he felt great, checked his legs after the XC part and all the remaining swelling had gone but was left with what feels like it might be a small splint?! It’s a small hard lump about 1-2 inches above the fetlock.

The area was a bit puffy again when we got home, but still no visible lameness. Cold hosed and turned out, obviously I’ll be contacting vets again tomorrow but if it is a splint, will it cause massive issues that we did XC today?! Obviously if it is then I feel terrible but I can’t change it. Might it have been a splint all along?

If it is, given small and no lameness, is it likely to be a couple of weeks off/walking and then ok to carry on once settled and no swelling? I’m so confused as it’s acted exactly like cellulitis “should” until now, going down with exercise and antibiotics…