heat/swelling after injury

[EmbarrassingEllie]

Hi, my horse recently came in from the field with a 2cm cut on the outside of her off front cannon bone, it was hosed at night as there was no swelling and then hosed again in the morning when there was swelling, when I went up I called the vet, he came out and nerve blocked as he was worried that due to the swelling she might have damaged a tendon or chipped a bone, he carried out further tests and said that we was much happier with the wound, bandaged and put her on a course of antib. and equipalazone. Told me that if she went lame he would bring out his scanner/xray machine. He has since come out twice and has been happy with her wound, she has always remained sound.

The bandages came off yesterday and she was turned out, this morning there was some heat and swelling but I thought that this might have been caused by standing in overnight but after turnout in the field it is still swollen and has heat in it. Again she is sound and I wondered whether this could be showing up something more sinister or maybe another infection has started. I have phoned the vets but am awaiting them calling me back. Does anyone have any experience of this. Many thanks for reading.

 

[fatpiggy]

Some horses swell up with the slightest cut. Heat would be expected as part of the inflammatory process required to create the scab and heal the cut - it increases the blood flow to the site.

 

[EmbarrassingEllie]

thank you fatpiggy you have put me at slight ease, i've lost confidence in leg wounds as the poor girl is just back out after being on 2 months box rest for impaling herself on some fencing, she is now out in the safest field with lovely fencing and an unshod shetland for company and she still manages to injure herself.