Infection won't go away!

Hormonal Filly

Hormonal Filly

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As some of you may know my gelding had a PSD operation 2 weeks ago now which involves cutting the nerve in his hind legs.

He was doing great, better than the vet and surgeon expected until Monday. He was fine the day and night before (see him 3 times a day) then when I went to do him at 7am Monday and he was lame as sin. Hopping, unable to put any weight on his hind left leg, depressed and wouldn’t even get up he was in such pain. I called the emergency vet and got upset, its awful seeing your horse like that whos usually so happy and full of personality.

Our usual vet visited as the emergency and said he had an infection in that leg but didn’t want to open it up just yet as it didn’t look to bad and there was a risk of opening it up and getting more infection.

So the vet gave him an antibiotic injection and a painkiller injection, re bandaged the leg and said he'd visit every evening to inject him with antibiotics and painkillers.

Saw some improvement on Tuesday but Wednesday he was even worse.

On Wednesday the vet took out the stitches and flushed anything out of the wound, luckily he didn’t need to create a hole as it drained from a small stitch hole without making another wound.
A load of puss and gunk came out leaving the leg looking much better. The other leg looks perfect to add and healed lovely.

Since the Wednesday hes been on strong oral antibiotics and pain killers. He started looking better Thursday but today at dinner time he was lame as sin again, hopping on that hind unable to put any weight on it. This is 4 days on now and hes no better than the first day, if anything worse. :(
 
Worth a call to the surgeon.
I’m wondering if there is a foreign body in there?

It would also be worth a culture just to make sure you are using the right antibiotics.

Post operative infection is always a risk but really not what you need!
 
I would get on to the vet he possibly may have to go back in and go on some stronger antibiotics and be closely monitored, I wouldn't want to leave it too long to be honest.

As above may need need a culture done so the right drugs are used.
 
After trying the antibiotic route twice, I would have the horse to the hosp for a full opening exam.

He may need it opening up again and a flush, but the vet would be better placed to decide this on home ground with top lighting and all the facilities.

I would presume he would also culture to give the best antibiotics after the flush. Hopefully the decisive treatment would see the back of it.
 
Hi all,

Vet visited, he removed all the bandages and the wound didn’t smell and looked better. It wasn’t as swollen as it was previously. He managed to get a dissolvable stitch out which he said could of been the issue. He said it isn’t in a joint and it’s very localised in the area so the hospital can’t do that much compared to what we can do at the yard.

He re-bandaged up it up, said to keep giving him antibiotics and bute. Watched him walk and he was better after the bandage had been changed. If it’s no better Monday he’ll have to go to hospital.
 
Was that the vet who did the surgery? I'd want a swab asap - could be anything and time is of the essence, if not the vet who did the surgery I'd be ringning the practice/hospital who did.
 
SusieT said:
Was that the vet who did the surgery? I'd want a swab asap - could be anything and time is of the essence, if not the vet who did the surgery I'd be ringning the practice/hospital who did.
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No, surgeon was suppose to call me back and hasn’t yet
 
personally I'd chase that up because often the local vets aren't as aware of the catstrophic consequences- it may be surgeon says yes the same, but monday could be too that. Fingers crossed it all settled
 
Well on Saturday he was no better, I was sure he'd be going to the hospital because he didn't improve Saturday or Sunday morning but on Sunday mid afternoon I popped up. Took him for a walk and he was walking nicely on it, much happier. The vet was very pleased with his progress yesterday, there was less discharge from the wound and it looked much better (heats going, less swollen) but the wound is about 2 inches big and completely open up so isn't the most attractive thing but at least its getting better. Hes improved everyday, yesterday we went for a 10 minute walk for some grass and today he walked out almost completely sound this morning and he'll go for another 10 minute walk at dinner time. He's started kicking his front legs out and neck twisting (as I call it) so must be feeling better! Everything crossed!

Bandage being changed tomorrow by the vet (and nearly out of antibiotics so need some more) as he sedates him to have a real good look, then i'll start changing it myself if possible. It costs my insurance about £120 a time every time the vet comes out so dread to know last weeks bill, the vet was up nearly every day injecting him, changing the bandage etc.
 
Mine had surgery and was left with a large gaping wound and a cavernous hole. Over two months it healed up well and without any trouble. If it is just a wound now then I would be optimistic.
 
Hack4fun said:
Mine had surgery and was left with a large gaping wound and a cavernous hole. Over two months it healed up well and without any trouble. If it is just a wound now then I would be optimistic.
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Did yours return sound? The surgeon and vet are worried it may trouble him more than the original problem. Its healing slowly, infection has gone but he has a huge hole about 2 inches big and box rest has been extended to at least 9 weeks instead of 4. Then have to turn him away to recover, due to the infection etc.
 
Aimeetess said:
Did yours return sound? The surgeon and vet are worried it may trouble him more than the original problem. Its healing slowly, infection has gone but he has a huge hole about 2 inches big and box rest has been extended to at least 9 weeks instead of 4. Then have to turn him away to recover, due to the infection etc.
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Yes, she has.The surgery was on the back of her elbow. Incision was 4-5" and surgery was quite deep - about 2". The top part healed easily with stitches. The bottom was left partly open to drain but she burst those stitches quite quickly - she is a field kept horse. My vet cleaned it up and just said to keep cleaning it. Periodically she would return and she said it was filling nicely with granulation tissue - the wound was about 2" square and over an inch deep. When it was less deep it rapidly reduced in size. No problems now. This is different surgery in a different place, but it appears not to have given her any bother. HTH
 
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