Colic recovery question (pic)

Z

zoesophie

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 February 2007
Messages
2,227
Location
Beds
Visit site
For those who dont know, Oscar had colic surgery in early December
frown.gif
and has slowly been introduced to turnout after 2 months box rest. He is now up to 8 hours as of this week.
grin.gif


Originally when he came home they said to expect some swelling around the scar area (has got a posh name but cant think what it was) which is usual and not to worry. However, the last few weeks it seems to have come back a bit.
crazy.gif
Im not overly worried and wont call vet unless it gets bigger but if anyone has knowledge of scars etc could you tell me what you think please?

Also we are going to start slowly introducing work at the start of April - do you think thats a good amount of recovery time before work or perhaps leave it longer??

Not sure its that obvious in this pic but a few people have noticed on our yard....

Osc-scarmarch08.jpg


Thanks in advance
smile.gif
 
I spose thats the best solution but didnt want to sound like a paranoid owner coz originally they said not to worry about it.
crazy.gif
 
My girl had colic surgery in March last year...and sported a similar scar.
You shouldn't worry unless it starts discharging pus or blood, or if anything starts to bulge out through the wound (hernias being the big worry after colic surgery and the reason you box rest them).
Up until a month or two ago, my girl had an odd shaped belly - a curve, then a point and straight line up to her stifle, where the scar was. In the last couple of months though, it has shrunk considerably, and unless you really looked, you wouldn't see the scar at all.
My vets encouraged me to walk mine in hand - I was taking her out for 15 mins x 2 times then grazing in hand for more than 1hr a day, so starting work should be fine. Check with the vet that did the surgery, to put your mind at rest.
Good luck with the recovery.
S
grin.gif
 
Ask your vet or whereever he had surgery ? So what if they think youre paranoid, it would stop you worrying! I wouldnt be too worried , youre mainly looking for signs of a hernia.
Cx
 
Thanks guys. Theres isnt anything coming out from the scar line itself so sounds like no hernia worry. In fact you cant even see the scar anymore.

S - he was walked out for grass daily like yours did for the entire 2 months he was in and is now loving being outside. Cant wait to start doing something else with him now. Thanks for the info!
grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks guys. Theres isnt anything coming out from the scar line itself so sounds like no hernia worry. In fact you cant even see the scar anymore.

S - he was walked out for grass daily like yours did for the entire 2 months he was in and is now loving being outside. Cant wait to start doing something else with him now. Thanks for the info!
grin.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Whilst my girl's scar was healing, it got a little 'fluidy' now and again...but if there's an infection or a hernia, you'll know! My other tip would be to protect the scar from midges and bites as it's probably a bit of a target for bloodsuckers like myself.
S
grin.gif
 
Grace's scar is having a few issues at the moment... she has a lump on the scar which is very pink and now this morning has some stuff coming out of it. I was really worried about it (as you know) so emailed some pictures over to Professor Proudman at Leahurst. He sent me a lovely message back saying to keep it clean, allow any pus to drain out and it should clear up in 7-10 days
smile.gif


Just emailing them some pictures can put your mind at rest
smile.gif
 
He did have an infection when he came home which is when they told us to expect some swelling and he had antibiotics and it was cleaned twice a day which he just about tolerated (hes very ticklish but think he realised it was for his own good
smirk.gif
) and we had to hold up one leg
smirk.gif
Thankfully vet was pleased with how its had healed and it hasnt seemed to have come back.

Not sure he will let me put anything on it to keep flies off - hes deathly afraid of sprays and doubt he will take kindly to being prodded there again so you will just have to watch out for his tail swatting you
wink.gif
tongue.gif
 
Thanks Becki - there isnt anything coming out of it, so by the sounds of it from advice on here I shouldnt worry but Ill deffo be keeping an eye on it to make sure it stays that way!
grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Grace's scar is having a few issues at the moment... she has a lump on the scar which is very pink and now this morning has some stuff coming out of it. I was really worried about it (as you know) so emailed some pictures over to Professor Proudman at Leahurst. He sent me a lovely message back saying to keep it clean, allow any pus to drain out and it should clear up in 7-10 days
smile.gif


Just emailing them some pictures can put your mind at rest
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

That sounds like the stitches desolving - where they tie the knots it takes longer to desolve and it can lead to these.
 
Yes... that is exactly what was said!

But like you have said in your previous post, a lot of money was spent on having the surgery (albeit through insurance) so I wanted someone who was an expert to look at it rather than just my regular vet so I emailed photos over and heard back within 45 minutes which I was very impressed with
smile.gif


I am cleaning it twice a day just with boiling water, nothing more... I was panicking about hernias and gut walls etc etc and the email just put my mind at ease! Grace is now 13 weeks into her recovery period.
 
[ QUOTE ]

Not sure he will let me put anything on it to keep flies off - hes deathly afraid of sprays and doubt he will take kindly to being prodded there again so you will just have to watch out for his tail swatting you
wink.gif
tongue.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

I train mine to accept sprays, aerosol and pump, so I can spray them when needed (obviously I beat them til they are too frightened to move
wink.gif
because I'm not NH). But you could just apply stuff from a tube. My girlie, who has quite a lot of hair normally, was bitten quite badly on her scar in the spring.
I hope he continues to make progress...it's such a lot of work, box resting, isn't it?
S
grin.gif
 
He wont let me touch it - naughty boy.
smirk.gif
He was tolerant when it needed cleaning but I think he thinks hes fine now so I dont need to go anywhere near it.

Have just rung vet and they will call back later
grin.gif
 
Pat his side, then treat him...then gradually move your hand closer to the wound site, giving little pats, and pay him with treats for each pat...you'll soon be able to touch the wound. If he dances around, tail swishes, lifts a leg, just hold your hand where it is, then only withdraw it and reward when he settles again.
Sometimes if you touch a little more firmly, they find it less tickly.
S
grin.gif
 
Grace hates being brushed with an absolute passion, but you do need to try and touch it because one of the first questions they will ask you is how it feels and whether it hurts him when you press it
blush.gif
blush.gif
blush.gif


Have you got an email address for the surgeon who performed the operation? Or even the reception email? I sent mine to the regular email at Leahurst and then they forwarded it onto to Chris Proudman (so I now have his email address should I need to send further images
blush.gif
)
 
S - I have tried beating him into submission but he just sticks his tongue out. Might strap his legs together so he cant kick me and whack some gunk on him
grin.gif


Hes a pro at box rest now (hes been on box rest for a total of 6 months since Jan last year
frown.gif
) and does actually mind it too much but would prefer to be with his gay lover in the field instead
blush.gif
 
Work wise I was told 6 months before starting ridden work but the last 6 weeks of that I started long reining my mare to get the walk work done and the legs hardened a bit.

I suspect the swelling is fluid but I would check with your vet as it may need draining.
 
On a serious note - I do try to touch his belly occasionally but will continue now as suggested by S - thanks.

Beckie - Ill speak to my vet first I think and then perhaps send a pic to his vet nurse who I do have an email for if Im not happy.
 
6 months
frown.gif
Ill check with vet when he/she calls later but Im sure it was after 3 months
crazy.gif
Maybe its a different type of surgery - he didnt have any gut removed....not sure if that makes a difference...
confused.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
6 months
frown.gif
Ill check with vet when he/she calls later but Im sure it was after 3 months
crazy.gif
Maybe its a different type of surgery - he didnt have any gut removed....not sure if that makes a difference...
confused.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Mine didn't have gut removed either...and they told me I could work her after about 3 months, although I didn't as she was a two year old...
S
grin.gif
 
hey dublinbay,

I would 100% speak to your vet, they will be the best people for you to speak to regarding recovery and to give you peace of mind. my old boy had 20ft of intestine removed a few years back and even a month later it looked like someone had opened him up, put a house drainpipe in him and sewn him back up again, however if you feel like he is getting fluid in there you need to speak to his vet.

Let me know how you get on and lots of hugs and kisses to oscar, and i hope his recovery is swift!
 
I wouldn't worry, our mare had colic surgery few years back and when she was in foal towards the last stages her scar swelled up a bit more than usual looked a bit bobbly and some days it was more than others, can't notice it now though... it is somewhat covered with mud and fluff at the moment however!
blush.gif
smirk.gif
 
My mare had colic surgery twice in August 2006 at Leahurst. She also had the same problem. The swelling even now comes up when her tummy muscles are tired. She is back in full work and will be eventing again this year in BE novice etc. I just keep my eye on it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top