Has the risk of joint infection gone?

[doodle]

Robin had joint injections on Tuesday morning. Bandages came off wed pm. He went out this morning and of course rolled. Is there still a risk of bacteria getting in now or will the injection site have healed over? I can’t see where the injection went on but area is clipped. Absolutely no swelling but the 1 in 10000 cases that vet have me is still ringing in my ears.

 

[Flicker]

Should be fine by now. General advice is box rest for 3 days then out. If there was an infection you’d know about it.

 

[ihatework]

Yes risk is minimal to zero now. The actual site for infection to get in closed pretty quickly. The box rest is more to keep the steroid in the joint space to do its job

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Yes he will be fine. We turn the racehorses out the next day along with being on the horse walker and ride them 48 hours later.

 

[doodle]

Thanks. I should have said I stuck exactly to what the vet said I then just worried when he came in with the clipped bits covered in mud.

 

[ycbm]

Bandages???

Mine was injected then treated exactly as normal, never bandaged.

 

[doodle]

Maybe as the joints are in such bad state? I don’t know. He had proper hock to hoof bandages on and I’m not about to question the vet.

 

[doodle]

And tbh I was glad they were on. Covered up the injection sites and reduce any potential swelling.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Some vets bandage, some don't, it's personal preference to the vet doing the injections. Some clip others dont.

 

[Flicker]

I guess for infection control, bandages are a belt and braces approach.
My vet clips and thoroughly sterilises the area, all equipment and his hands. Then gloves up. But doesn’t bandage. Would be interesting to look at clinical studies.

 

[Tiddlypom]

My vet clips and thoroughly sterilises the area, all equipment and his hands. Then gloves up. But doesn’t bandage. Would be interesting to look at clinical studies.

This. Previous to any joint medication, my vet and vet nurses spend a long time cleaning and preparing the area with diluted hibiscrub. The area will have been previously clipped with surgical blades. The main danger is if infection is introduced into the joint via the actual procedure. Once done, the injection site soon closes up.

She doesn’t bandage.