PF lame... alternatives to DMSO??

[PapaFrita]

Since my darling PF was no better on Weds since coming up slightly lame day after show I got the vet in yesterday. I missed the visit but F says vet says PF must've knocked her fetlock in the trailer (as well as hock and taking shoe off) and as it's inflamed has prescribed daily DMSOing, hosing and walking out for 15 mins a day for a week. She also said I should pack gauze with iodine in the space between where PF's hoof was and the shoe.
As DMSO is vile stuff (but oh so very popular out here), anyone got any other suggestions??
Also, would it be wise to stand PF in a bucket of hottish water with salt/animalintexing in case there is a crack/other in her foot to prevent any nastiness getting in there?

 

[fairhill]

Bugger, I'm sorry to hear she's lame... poor PF. Big hugs to her.
Haven't got any real advice but I'm sure standing foot in salt water certainly won't do her any harm, and might help! Not sure about poulticing it though...

I was just wondering what the reasoning behind using DMSO is? I've never heard of it as a treatement before. Is it for bruising inflammation - in which case witch hazel might be better...

 

[PapaFrita]

Oooh, I've got some witch-hazel. DMSO is sooooo popular here; they use it for every sort of inflammation/heat in joints, backs, etc. I've looked it up but in my current state of dis-concentration

can't remember exactly what it does, except that it gets in through the skin and gives you a revolting taste in your mouth. PF doesn't like it and moves away... good enough reason to try something else.

 

[Halfstep]

I'd love to hear the answers to your question PF. I've been prescribed DMSO (as a coritsone carrier) for my horse's painful splint and as-yet-unexplained swelling (scans next week), and I have been using it (to no noticeable effect I have to add), but I don't like it either.
Vet told me that the DMSO is the best way to get the cortisone into the area directly. But I'm still wary about it and don't like using it.

Hope PF is ok. Poor girlie!

x

 

[fairhill]

I used to use DMSO in my lab work and hated the stuff... I don't blame PF for moving away, it's not nice. I've just googled to find out more about it. How sad am I?

Anyway, arnica is also good for bruising and bringing down swellings if you can get hold of that.

TBH though, cold hosing is the best thing to be doing.

Has she pulled off some of her hoof as well? I think I've missed your earlier posts.

 

[PapaFrita]

Yep, she pulled off a bit of her hoof, and I suspect that the show grooms pared it off to tidy it up as it's a very smooth cut (arses! They denied it of course) Got Iodine all over my clothes and hands trying to pack some cotton wool between shoe and hoof so I look like a 80-a-day smoker!!
I think I might have some arnica stashed away too

Thanks

 

[PapaFrita]

I've heard of DMSO used to 'carry' drugs into the bloodstream through the skin, AND I've heard of it being used on splints. Still very icky!! Can't help you with the splint thing as blistering is still in very common practice here but very much frowned-upon in the UK.

 

[Fleur100]

DMSO in high doses is a vasodilator which is why it is often used. It causes vasodialtion by affecting the osmolarity of the cells. So even if you think it is vile it does have a pharmacological reason for being presribed.

 

[ginny young]

You should always use rubber gloves when applying dmso, that taste in your mouth is telling you that your skin is absorbing it! not meant for human use! My boss in Italy used to freak if I used it with my bare hands.