Please can anyone help?

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Rocky715

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I am gutted..... Rocky has been going FAB - we have been out competing at dressage and have started jumping again for the year. I had booked a lesson today with someone fab... got to the yard to get Rocky ready..... and when I got him out the stable his front leg was fat.. but not hot?

I walked him around in case it was just from being stood in, but had no effect... cold hosed it and this then created a hot patch down the inside? Called the vet and she wasn't too sure - thinks perhaps just a knock because he isn't lame on it. The swelling starts at the fetlock and then spreads up the back of his leg. It is quite a soft swelling.

Last night I did ride him - but nothing strenuous and did a jump at the end of my schooling.. which i do a lot?

She has advised me to take him for a plod today, then coldhose and stable bandage it (which is what I have done)... am to cold hose again tonight. Advised me to do the same tomorrow but pop in the school and see how he copes. If he doesn't show any lameness can still take him to dressage Wednesday.

I just find it so odd - how can his leg be so fat, but not lame??? Has anyone ever had this?

Fiona
 
Ooh mine was/is suffering from what sounds like a very similar problem. Got mine out of the stable yesterday and when brushing his legs I noticed one of his front legs appeared puffy around and just above the fetlock at the back. I thought, relatively normal after he's been in over night but then his othjer leg wasn't the same. I noticed the puffy one was hot as well. I trotted him up - not a hint of lameness and i decided to take him for a stead ride just on the roads. No lameness. Turned him out as usual, in the evening it was still warm but maybe slightly less puffy. This morning again it is puffy and warm!

It is a bit of a mystery. I can only think mine has knocked himself or slightly strained something in all the mud. His foot is not hot - I haven't checked his digital pulse but may do that tonight if still the same.

I would just keep an eye on yours really. I think unless they are lame then allowing them to walk about will help disperse the fluid
 
Did either of your vets consider possibility of lymphangitis? google for info on this, but dont worry as walking / v gentle exercise is recommended for it, just wondered, as my boy had lymphangitis and it came all of a sudden, not lame etc.
 
I posted a thread yesterday about lymphangitis/cellulitis and got some helpful replies so have a look at that - it sounds like your boy may have that from a tiny wound.
 
There was no mention of lymphangitis? I had a good search around his leg this morning and couldn't see any obvious signs of a puncture or injury where bacteria could have gotten in? Xx
 
You can't always find a wound. May be a bramble prick that has closed over again, only takes tiny thing for it to get past the skin.
 
cellulitis commonly occurs if the horse has had a knock to the leg, not necesarily a cut or anything. mine knocked her back leg and the swelling wouldnt go down. vet said most likely cellulitis, gave antibiotics and it reduced.
 
Lady has the smallest nick on the inside of her hind leg, i'd not have noticed it at all bar for the swelling and some heat around it even then i had to really have a good feel, sound as anything, she'll stay swollen for about three weeks then it'll just go. He might have just knocked himself slightly and the body is over reacting. Not TB by any chance!!!!!:D
 
Ok I'm going back down the yard in the next ten mins - when I am there I will have a good old look for any nicks/cuts whilst I am coldhosing. Thank you for your replies.

Maybe a miracle will have occurred and the swelling will have disappeared. Doubtful however!!!!!
 
I never found any wound on my chap but he still managed to get lymphangitis, it could be a tiny pin prick as peeps have said. cold hosing, leg wraps, gentle walk only exercise is all good. Tends to recur but if you are lucky it gets more sporadic and mine hasnt had a flare up for about 4 years now hurrah.
 
Have had the vet back out re your suggestions - he thinks it is a strain so has given some bute and suggested gentle road work and then reassess at the weekend! thanks for all your suggestions, and fingers crossed his leg gets better!!! xx
 
I have a pony who was fine until he was stabled. Both hind legs swelled then after a while one went down and no problem since. The other leg swells when stabled from the fetlock to his hock. Ive tried cold hosing, relax which is a cool paste and still no change. the only thing that helps is bandaging but his hock still swells. When he is in work it tends to get alot better rather than being out of work. after about 3/4's of an hour it is normal but soon swells again. vet doesnt know what it actually is or how to treat it.
 
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