Lameness problem - your thoughts please

[Donkeymad]

We (hubby and I) have been away Sunday and Monday giving horse and donkey carriage rides at a lovely National Trust house. The event organisers (not the NT) said that we could not use the area we had last time for all our donkeys, so were only able to take Duke and Cinders.(cob and donkey)

We checked those at home on Sunday morning but did not see them again until Monday night. We did have the on-site people keeping on an eye on them as usual.

When we got back, we found that Elly was lame. On checking her , we can find no swelling, heat or anything. She is walking on tiptoe and appears to be sensitive on the inside of her stifle (it is the near hind). We gave her some bute last night.

Does anybody have any ideas as to the possible cause? Hubby wants me to wait a day or two to see if it improves, but I am such a worrier I think I may call him (vet) soon, although am prepeared to wait a few days, if it might just be a strain for which the vet would simply prescribe bute.

Any thoughts on this please?

 

[kanter]

Sounds more like a corn or abscess. I would poultice the foot and call the farrier.

Personally I wouldn't give any more bute: if it is an abscess , bute wont help and can supress it (or so I've been told).

If it's not an abscess and she is walking on her toe I would be confining her to a stable and getting the vet out .

 

[Donkeymad]

She is much better this evening and I have already decided not to give more bute. I will see how she is tomorrow and call whoever I think most appropriate according to her symtoms.
Thanks for your reply.

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
Sounds more like a corn or abscess. I would poultice the foot and call the farrier.

[/ QUOTE ]
This was my first thought. Walking on the toe is a dead give away.

 

[Donkeymad]

Absolutely no sign of a corn or abscess. On checking again today, she has slight swelling on her inner thigh right behind the stifle joint, and lashes out when touched. It does appear to be easing slightly.