Horse kicked in field - what to do?

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CAM1508

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Yesterday my horse was kicked in the field on the outside of his cannon bone. It left a cut of 2-3cm and a swelling around the cut which was hot to touch. Although he wasn't lame on it, he was a bit uncomfortable so I cold hosed it to help the swelling.
When I went up to see him this morning the swelling around the cut had gone down but instead his fetlock had swollen up and was very big. Again he wasn't lame on the leg but a bit sore. I cold hosed it and walked him around a bit and the swelling went down. The cut itself has begun to heal but still had some discharge coming out of it.
I then went down to check him about 2 hours later and the leg had swollen up again but this time it was the fetlock and the cannon bone. It was also warm to touch.
Should I get a vet up to have a look at it as I'm a bit worried that it might be infected as shouldn't the swelling of gone down by now and not increased?
I only didnt get a vet up sooner as it's only a small cut and he isn't lame on it
 
One of my horses has just finished 3 weeks box rest from a kick to the hind cannon bone. I had no heat but originally swelling in hock and fetlock - no lameness - within 2 days mine was infected and she has had 2 courses of antibiotics - the first lot I collected next day from my vet after chatting on phone to her and then I had her come out and look at it as the first course didn't seem to be working. She flushed it and another course of antibiotics and finally we seem to have it under control.

good luck - hope your horse heals soon.

edited to say - it looked like nothing originally but as I only see her at night I couldn't get to vets to collect antibiotics till next day. I took a pic with me.
 
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It may be cellulitis if an infection has got in through the cut. Antibiotics and anti inflammatories will be needed.
 
If he were mine I would get the vet, I know it's a weekend but if you hang on until monday if could work out more expensive and stressful in the long run for you both.

please let us know how you get on

ETA I would definitely ring the vet at least as others have suggested
 
I'd also call the vet out, you'll feel bad phoning on a Sunday if you leave it until tomorrow and at least then you can put your mind at ease after listening to their opinion. Let us know how you get on x
 
Yes I agree talk to the vet at least. My vet is great when you explain the problem and rather than come out, saving call out charges, he would diagnose and I would collect whatever he suggested. Mine had a nasty cut and as I was onto straight away all she needed was antibiotics, which I hope this is in your case.
 
Some horses just swell up with the slightest thing (e.g. mine!) and the safest thing is to call the vet. The will probably give him antibiotics.
 
Thank you for all these replies!
I went up to see him this morning and the swelling had increased again, so I called the vet to come up and have a look. The cut was infected so he has been given a course of bute and antibiotics for the next 5 days, and a pressure bandage has been put on to decrease the swelling.
Vet is going to come up again on Tuesday and Friday to check on how the leg is and how well the antibiotics are working :)
 
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