fetlock swelling after kick - sound but swollen again?

[cobface]

My mare came in approx 3 weeks ago with a nasty cut and swollen hind fetlock. The vet was called and she was given antibiotics and the wound was dressed for approx 5 days. She was lame on it for the first 2 days then she was sound. On advice from my vet i rode her out in walk approx 10 days after and when we got back to the yard she was very uneven in trot. Next day fetlock was up again so vet came out, she was slightly lame and given another 5 days of anti-biotics (week last friday) and she was turned out during the day and in of a night. Vet told me to cold hose the leg and turn her out during the day and just start walking her out again, riding. Leg was much better although still looked a little *thick*, rode her out (walking) on wednesday and thursday and she was much better, leg gone down, completley sound. Took her a little furthur yesterday afternoon and had a small trot, again leg down and sound. Went down this morning and leg is swollen and lots of heat had yard owner check for lameness and she looked fine in trot. Cold hosed it again and it went right down and i have turned her out again. Seems to be a very stop start process with her, and am thinking that yesterday may have been a bit much too soon......(took her out for 1 hr 15mins road work - been building up by 15 mins per day) so do i give her the day off today and see how she is in the morning and if its ok turn her out and ride her walking for half hour? or call the vet if its up again tomorrow? or call the vet today anyway?
Any suggestions as to why its up again?
Thanks

 

[teddyt]

swelling and heat are signs of inflammation. I wouldnt ride again and if you do turnout do so in a small paddock and minimse the risk of her chasing about. Continue with the cold hosing regularly and call the vet first thing monday. I would be considering xrays/scans at this point to see if there is any damage to bone or tendons. Fingers crossed its nothing serious

 

[VioletStripe]

Cold hose and maybe bandage? Don't ride, just for a gentle walk so it doesn't stiffen. I would call the vet though on Monday, just to be sure. Hope it goes down soon! xx

 

[cobface]

I called the vet and told her over the phone, she advised me not to worry and i probably did a bit much yesterday, she said just keep an eye on it and after being turned out if its still swollen and/or if she goes lame then to give her or a call as she could have infection in there. She said she should be fine to ride in walk but not to go to far and just build it up every day.
Bought her in from field and her leg was right down again, no heat etc so took her out for 20 mins walk.
Will see how she gets on over the next few days

 

[AmyMay]

It's interesting how we are quite often advised to do things differently.

My horse has been on box rest for a month for a similar problem. He had massive amounts of antibiotics intraveniously initially (as there was some concern that the joint may have been punctured), and the leg dressed twice daily up to the hock.

He is now allowed out for half an hour at a time am and pm.

Filling can be part of the healing process - but swelling often indicates something more sinister, and I would insist on a further visit from your vet.