Lame foal

illy89

illy89

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Thought I would post this in here as well as veterinary in the hope someone might be able to shed some light.

Foal came in from field very slightly lame in front on tuesday, farrier was due and he checked her feet and could see nothing of concern and all legs felt fine, no heat or swelling. Spoke to my vet on the phone, he thought she had maybe slipped and jarred her shoulder so advised restricted grazing for a few days.

Went down yesterday morning and she was hopping lame, just about managed to get her into the stable and called for vet (annoyingly the 'top' equine vet away) she came and was not sure, said there was a slight pulse in all four legs (so maybe abcess?) but not heat or swelling and no where we could find that was obviously causing her pain. Vet advised box rest for 4 days with bute and to re-assess after that.

I go down this morning and foal is climbing the walls of the stable, going absolutely beserk - no sign of lameness or discomfort at all. My dressage trainer came to help me with her as she was very lary and we thought for her safety she should go out on a very small patch of grass with mum as she was about to kill herself or us in the box (she usually lives out 24/7). She was sound as a pound and soon settled to the grass.

Just been down to check and she is hobbling again but not so bad maybe 2/10ths lame.

Baically i don't have a clue, vet didn't seem to have a clue. Don't know whether to bring her back in where she may do herself more harm than good or leave her out and monitor over the next few days. My usual vet isn't available till after the weekend.

Any help appreciated please, feeling very worried about my baby! Thanks
 
It may be nothing more than a bit of gravel (this time of year is notorious for it). And I suppose if there's no heat in the legs etc. then there's no cause for alarm.

I suppose all you can do is suck it an see - and if she's the same tomorrow, have the vet out to give her a thorough going over....:o
 
How old is the foal? If a baby (few weeks) please get the vet to see urgently.

ps. I'd get a vet out anyway for an exam.
 
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She is coming up to 8months so not a real baby anymore! Vet been once already and couldn't find anything. Coming again monday if no better. The lameness is just baffling really as no obvious reason for it and the severity seems to differ from day to day.
 
illy89 said:
The lameness is just baffling really as no obvious reason for it and the severity seems to differ from day to day.
Click to expand...

That to me is indicative of an abcess. Foal's feet are quite soft - so at the start you get a bit of lameness - then more lameness - then the pus spreads sideways in the foot - and there is less lameness. And then the pus increases - more lameness. Etc etc etc.

Did the vet put hoof testers on her??

I would put an animalintex poultice on the sole, wrap it up well with vetwrap, stick a bit of plastic feed bag over that and hold it on with gaffer tape - turn her out in a small area! She may get the poultice off in 6-12 hours - just re-apply.

In a couple of days - if she's lamer - get vet or farrier to have a dig.
 
JanetGeorge said:
That to me is indicative of an abcess. Foal's feet are quite soft - so at the start you get a bit of lameness - then more lameness - then the pus spreads sideways in the foot - and there is less lameness. And then the pus increases - more lameness. Etc etc etc.

Did the vet put hoof testers on her??

I would put an animalintex poultice on the sole, wrap it up well with vetwrap, stick a bit of plastic feed bag over that and hold it on with gaffer tape - turn her out in a small area! She may get the poultice off in 6-12 hours - just re-apply.

In a couple of days - if she's lamer - get vet or farrier to have a dig.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your advice, I will give this a go and keep fingers crossed it's nothing more serious!
 
Hello
I would consider a holistic approach and would seek advice from a Degreed Applied Equine Podiatrist. They are hoof care specialists who consider the health of the feet with respect to the rest of the body and understand how imbalance elsewhere can cause symptoms of lameness or disease in the feet. DAEP's are used to working with vets and other equine specialists.
Beccy
 
Beccy Smith said:
Hello
I would consider a holistic approach and would seek advice from a Degreed Applied Equine Podiatrist. They are hoof care specialists who consider the health of the feet with respect to the rest of the body and understand how imbalance elsewhere can cause symptoms of lameness or disease in the feet. DAEP's are used to working with vets and other equine specialists.
Beccy
Click to expand...

hmm ....

OP how is foaly today ?? Some very good advice there, is there a chance that the change in ground (ie frozen then thawed then frozen etc etc) has caused he/she to be foot sore ?
 
Been away skiing so not been on for a few weeks but JanetGeorge was spot on, poor foaly had an abcess. Poulticed for a couple of days and she came sound. Mum rang me whilst I was away as she had got another abcess in her other hoof, this one was worse so vet came out (luckily our normal vet this time) and dug a channel and gave her antibiotics, she is now fighting fit and bombing round the field with her best friends - the shetlands!!
 
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