Lame mare...sad update

SatansLittleHelper

SatansLittleHelper

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I posted asking for thoughts on my friends very lame mare recently.
She presented with an abcess but neither vet or farrier could find anything other than a nasty cut to the heel bulb. 3 weeks in she was moved to a local stables so she could be kept clean and dry and it was decided that Xrays were needed.
Different vet came out and shaved her leg...on palpating the leg he noticed she only flinched when the tendon was pressed. The joint seemed thickened so xrays were done and a fluid sample taken.
Upshot was xrays were clear and it seems the cut had allowed bacteria to enter the tendon sheath causing a severe and aggressive infection.
Due to the severity of the lameness and horse's age etc it was decided that the kindest thing was to put her to sleep :(
This was all on Valentine's Day last week. She was spoilt rotten for the rest of the afternoon having all of her favourite treats and tons of fuss.
Was such a shock for all concerned:(
 
Antw23uk said:
Thats very sad and just goes to show how vigilant we need to be for the smallest insignificant of wounds in the wrong places. :(
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Actually Ant, I think it goes to show that accidents happen.

There is enough stress in the world without thinking we need to go over our horses with a fine tooth comb several times a day. An infected tendon sheath from a split in the heel is a very rare thing.

Sometimes, shyte just happens.

Sorry for your friend SLH.
 
SatansLittleHelper said:
I posted asking for thoughts on my friends very lame mare recently.
She presented with an abcess but neither vet or farrier could find anything other than a nasty cut to the heel bulb. 3 weeks in she was moved to a local stables so she could be kept clean and dry and it was decided that Xrays were needed.
Different vet came out and shaved her leg...on palpating the leg he noticed she only flinched when the tendon was pressed. The joint seemed thickened so xrays were done and a fluid sample taken.
Upshot was xrays were clear and it seems the cut had allowed bacteria to enter the tendon sheath causing a severe and aggressive infection.
Due to the severity of the lameness and horse's age etc it was decided that the kindest thing was to put her to sleep :(
This was all on Valentine's Day last week. She was spoilt rotten for the rest of the afternoon having all of her favourite treats and tons of fuss.
Was such a shock for all concerned:(
Click to expand...

So sad when you reach a point where help is too late - RIP little mare.
 
ycbm said:
Actually Ant, I think it goes to show that accidents happen.

There is enough stress in the world without thinking we need to go over our horses with a fine tooth comb several times a day. An infected tendon sheath from a split in the heel is a very rare thing.

Sometimes, shyte just happens.

Sorry for your friend SLH.
Click to expand...

I wasnt trying to be difficult, its a very sad situation. What I guess I meant was (and clearly put badly at 0523 this morning when I couldn't sleep!) was that a small nik or scratch can be missed or overlooked as nothing but actually have dire consequences if its in the wrong place.
 
What a horrible experience for all concerned SLH.
Sadly, that's horses for you, I lost a lovely IDx to cellulitis, we never did find the wound, which must have been miniscule. She had had 4 vet visits in just over a week, with daily Ab injections, but we couldn't save her. Sometimes you just can't.
 
That’s bad news and a really unusual way to lose a horse .
Stuff happens with horses lots of it not good it’s nobodies fault just sometimes theres a disaster with your name on it .
 
Oh that is so sad, RIP little mare. It sounds like she was adored and loved right till the very end so your friend should be proud.
It was just a freak thing and the best possible thing was done despite the tragic outcome.
 
Very sad- we had something similar happen to my share horse after nerve blocks. Luckily we caught it in time, he responded brilliantly to treatment and 18 months on is doing fine but it just goes to show even a tiny needle wound can be enough - you'd never find it even with a really thorough checking every day. Sometimes it's just bad luck.

We just lost one of the yard favourites to colic, all very sudden on Friday morning. Found at 7 and was gone by 9.30. He was such a gentleman, an old boy but still full of life. We've all been very sad about him.
 
This very nearly happened to my mare when she was 5 years old, tendon sheath got infected by a very small thorn. She was lucky my trainer (I was away on holiday) noticed something seemed not quite right and the vet was on it and she was operated on the day it was found and 18 years later she is still going but it could so have easily not gone that way (trainer was old school, try bute and rest before calling the vet...eeeek). RIP in peace little mare :-(.
 
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