Joint tap?

[Llanali]

HI all.

As well as nearly losing the mare to choke today, poor Mrs P has an injury to her pastern that may need joint tapping come the morning.

I'm unfamiliar with what exactly that is, the recovery etc? I was so panic-y about the choke, that the vet stapled the leg wound and sorted it, and I completely forgot to question re the tapping business!

Any info or experiences would be great! Thanks all.

 

[appylass]

I haven't had a horse that needed this done but have a tiny bit of medical knowledge. A joint tap usually involves putting a needle into a joint and drawing off a little fluid, mainly to see if there is infection or bleeding. It isn't without risk as you can introduce infection by doing it. I'm not sure if it might be done to draw fluid off a swollen joint as well. In people it is a fairly simple procedure but painful.

Not sure that is any help?!

 

[ImogenBurrows]

I haven't had a horse that needed this done but have a tiny bit of medical knowledge. A joint tap usually involves putting a needle into a joint and drawing off a little fluid, mainly to see if there is infection or bleeding. It isn't without risk as you can introduce infection by doing it. I'm not sure if it might be done to draw fluid off a swollen joint as well. In people it is a fairly simple procedure but painful.

Not sure that is any help?!

Very good description IMO!! Only thing I'd disagree with is that it's not particularly painful, we just sedate so they don't move. I don't think it's much more painful that a normal I/v injection TBH.

Worth doing if there are concerns about infection following a wound...this simple test will save a lot of heartache either way and is low risk.

Hope it's not needed, or negative if it is!
Imogen