Cut leg and swollen leg

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YummyHorses

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Hi - thoughts wanted.

Parents bought my gelding in from the field today, all was well, nothing obviously wrong, had his tea, hay, normal routine. I went up when I got home from work and could tell straight away something was wrong as his ears were back and he looked very miserable. Head down.

Found a cut, not deep but bleeding slightly on the inside of his front leg. I would describe it as more of a graze to be honest but his leg is terribly swollen and hot. The cut is almost in the shape of the letter Z. Cant work out how he has done it, no obvious signs of distress in the stable and no other injuries. Wonder whether it was his back leg coming forward in a bid to get rid of a fly or something. Guess I will never know.

However I am worried about his leg and why it is so terribly swollen. It seems to be an extreme reaction to fairly superficial cuts. I have hosed it down for about 30 minutes and put a antibacterial cream on the cuts and placed a stable bandage on it.

Am wondering whether I should get the vet out - I am worried about tendon, ligament damage. How could I tell if that's happened without an ultrasound or can I not? What else should I be doing? He seems to be sound although I have not trotted him up.

Guidance pleased? Am very worried? Thanks.
 
If he's that unhappy and swollen with what appears to be an insignificant wound, I would be concerned that it could be a puncture wound and I would call the vet out tonight, especially if it is over/near a joint.
 
Thanks for the response. His mood has improved with hay and having a bit of grass.

I am with you on the amount of swelling versus the grazing/cut. How could he have caused a puncture wound? Would I be able to tell that's what he has done?
 
Just been up and hosed down again, re-applied dressing and stable bandage. Still as swollen. Will take a look in the morning and make the decision then whether to call the vet. He is my top horse, don't want to leave to chance. Am gutted, just don't know what he has done or how.

Any more thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.
 
my pony came in from the field with a graze and swollen leg and in the end I got the vet out a couple of days later as the swelling did not go down he had 6 days of antibiotics and still his leg is swollen so I am probably going to have a 2nd vet visit next week. Your horse may have an infection if the swelling is not going down.

My pony was sound in walk but when trotted up slighly lame.
 
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