Poorly Ben, Part 2 advice please

[Queenbee]

For those of you who didn't see my earlier thread about ben I have quoted the scenario below:

Hi,

Went and brought my 2 in last night, they both took their time walking in which was odd. Fed and cuddled them both and noted that ben was a bit more 'sluggish' than normal, a bit quieter and almost sorry for himself. I gave him a quick check and his off fore almost felt like it had a slight bump at the back just above the fetlock although I couldn't feel the equivalent on the other side, and possibly, although I couldn't be sure, a slight heat difference between the two. On the whole though he was ok and not lame. So decideded to check again in the morning.

This morning when I checked him he was still not lame, but the off fore was slightly puffy and there is a definate slight heat in his leg, he was also not impressed with being turned out and kept planting himself, I got him into the field, and he wandered off, so not that reluctant to go out and graze then but he was definately 'not top notch'

was thinking since there is no obvious lameness and the puffiness and heat is only minor in the morning, that the best course of action for now is not to fuss too much, but to continue turn out and pop a cold pack on morning and evening over the weekend and see if there is any improvement. I think he can feel it a bit, which is whats making him feel a bit sorry for himself but I'm not going to give him anything for that because, I would rather him not feel fit as a flea and not hoon around the field, and give whatever it is time to heal.

He has had this last week off in the field, so whatever it was must have happened in the field! Horses will be horses! Anyway, obviously if things get any different I will call the vet, but I am hoping its just a tweak or something and it will go down over the weekend and I will have my little cheeky chappy back, I felt so sorry for him stood at the back of the stable not wanting to go out today, He has always loved being in his stable and preferred it to the field last winter, but he has been fine all this year. I feel really mean at turning my baby out, but thought a bit of gentle exercise was best for him

Probably a pointless post but I feel like a cow and hate the fact that he is having an 'off day' He's quite a sensitive soul, thank god because I could instantly tell that all way not right!

Well I broke down at lunch and rang YO to check he was ok, couldn't get through so felt like a cruel mummy for making him go out when he didn't want too. Got to the yard and bedded him down, YO said he hadn't moved much in field and when I bought him in he was lame, not too bad but lame! So, in cold pack strapped on for an hour, leg still puffy even though he has been outside! So will be letting him stay in tomorrow, and continuing with cold pack probably 4 x tomorrow, have called farrier to come and trim, see if he thinks that it may help to trim him to take some strain off while its healing. Will also phone vets to come although I don't think its going to be considered bad enough to bute but they may want to give anti inflamatory, but was wondering about bandaging, YO said to bandage the one that is opposite because he will be relying on it more and leave the injury unbandaged?! Not sure I see the total logic in this as I thought compression could help with injuries, wouldn't bandaging both be the way to go, or would you just leave them be? Sorry if that is a numpty question but not had too much experience with this. Don't think its anything major but not going to put him out tomorrow because its not done him any good today, so I will let him be a poorly little snuggle bunny.

Anyway... so sorry about the essay, but could I have some advice re:bandaging, reminder the injury is off fore at the back of the leg just above the fetlock so ligament and tendon area, seems to me to be a wee sprain but he's not happy on it, its just I need to know what to buy tomorrow morning before I go up there, I don't own stable bandages and I need more cold packs for him, I was also thinking radiol br muscle embrolcation and would you use devils claw to just help take the edge off for him, I don't think its bute worthy.


Basically: Advice and guidance please

 

[splashgirl45]

im no expert but if he was mine i wouldnt bandage either leg without speaking to the vet as you might do more harm than good. dont think you can do much harm hosing with cold water or applying ice packs if you feel happier doing something. you are prob best to get the vet as you obviously know your horse well and he is not behaving as he would normally...good luck.

 

[Erin]

Box rest over the weekend and vet on monday (or tomorrow if you can). You don't want to faff about if it is a tendon/ligament.
I wouldn't bother with bandaging, but would carry on with the cold packs.

 

[Queenbee]

im no expert but if he was mine i wouldnt bandage either leg without speaking to the vet as you might do more harm than good. dont think you can do much harm hosing with cold water or applying ice packs if you feel happier doing something. you are prob best to get the vet as you obviously know your horse well and he is not behaving as he would normally...good luck.

sorry meant to say I will be getting vet out tomorrow, at the very least I want them to look and administer anti inflamatory jab if they think he needs it, I just wondered what I should pick up from the shop for him before I ring them if you get what I mean, I have a funny feeling that when one of my old mares came in from the field hopping lame having pulled her tendon, we didn't bandage but just had her on the anti inflamatories and the bute as per instruction from vet (although she couldn't have the full dose of bute because she forgot she was poorly and had a habit of popping her legs over the door! But I could be wrong, it was a while ago!

 

[be positive]

I would think that if he is sore enough to feel unhappy in himself he needs the vet, it sounds like he may have strained ligaments in the fetlock. Turning out made him worse also indicating strain or possibly bruising, I would box rest, ice or hose and get him on Danilon or bute, they are anti inflamatory so will help.
I would not bandage either leg, a bandage cannot support the other leg in any way so no reason to do so.
Lots of hay while he is in and no hard food, just a little chop for the bute.
I hope he is feeling better in the morning.

 

[Queenbee]

Box rest over the weekend and vet on monday (or tomorrow if you can). You don't want to faff about if it is a tendon/ligament.
I wouldn't bother with bandaging, but would carry on with the cold packs.

Cheers thats kind of what I was thinking, will be having them out tomorrow if they can fit him in. I feel really sorry for the chap, he is behaving like its worlds end Just a bit worried since he is so young too.

Bleeding horses!

 

[Queenbee]

I would think that if he is sore enough to feel unhappy in himself he needs the vet, it sounds like he may have strained ligaments in the fetlock. Turning out made him worse also indicating strain or possibly bruising, I would box rest, ice or hose and get him on Danilon or bute, they are anti inflamatory so will help.
I would not bandage either leg, a bandage cannot support the other leg in any way so no reason to do so.
Lots of hay while he is in and no hard food, just a little chop for the bute.
I hope he is feeling better in the morning.

Yes I think thats the way I will go, I have devils claw, is that an anti inflamitory too or would I be best to get danilon? I would rather not tax the little chaps liver with Bute if I don't have too, although I suppose it will only be very short term so theres no real problem with bute.

He is on Alfalfa oil and baileys outshine balancer but will cut the outshine out and give him lots of pampering, will give me good chance to take the feathers off his legs and finish raking the tail etc...

Thank god for Ice packs, they are a god send.

 

[rhino]

If you suspect there could be tendon/ligament involvement then box rest, cold therapy (ice packs ok but cold hosing is better) and vet. I wouldn't want farrier doing anything at the moment. Bandaging - generally vet advice is not to, unless the legs are filling really badly with him standing in.

Hope it's not serious, but they can have significant tendon/ligament damage and not actually be lame. I would avoid giving any anti-inflammatories until the vet has been as you don't want to mask anything.

Keep us updated, <<vibes>>

 

[Dancing Queen]

Personally I would cold hose (if you have the facilities) and keep in on a nice deep bad, i wouldnt bandage, but i would soak a tea towel in cold water, wrap it round the leg and vet wrap it for say 15/20 mins (dont forget to do the whole leg). call the vet out and get them to have a good luck. hope he feels better soon.

 

[Queenbee]

Personally I would cold hose (if you have the facilities) and keep in on a nice deep bad, i wouldnt bandage, but i would soak a tea towel in cold water, wrap it round the leg and vet wrap it for say 15/20 mins (dont forget to do the whole leg). call the vet out and get them to have a good luck. hope he feels better soon.

Like the tea towel idea, will give it a whirl, bed is very deep for my little man anyway Will update you all tomorrow eve Thanks all

 

[rhino]

Like the tea towel idea, will give it a whirl, bed is very deep for my little man anyway Will update you all tomorrow eve Thanks all

Best thing is the ice cube bags you can get at the supermarket; fit round the leg nicely. The problem with anything like a wet towel is that it will heat up almost immediately and be completely ineffective.

With my horse (check ligament/sdft) I cold hose for 20 min, then leave him for 20 min to let the leg get back to normal temp, and then bandage one of the ice cube bags for a further 20 min.. Do this twice a day, time consuming but by looking at the available research it is the most effective programme.

 

[Dancing Queen]

Best thing is the ice cube bags you can get at the supermarket; fit round the leg nicely. The problem with anything like a wet towel is that it will heat up almost immediately and be completely ineffective.

With my horse (check ligament/sdft) I cold hose for 20 min, then leave him for 20 min to let the leg get back to normal temp, and then bandage one of the ice cube bags for a further 20 min.. Do this twice a day, time consuming but by looking at the available research it is the most effective programme.

Actually the best thing would be to combine to 2 ideas. soak a Tea towel, wrap it around the ice cubes. bit like when you have sprained your ankle!

 

[rhino]

Actually the best thing would be to combine to 2 ideas. soak a Tea towel, wrap it around the ice cubes. bit like when you have sprained your ankle!

Sounds good I usually faff about trying to get one layer of bandage on leg, then ice cube bag, then rest of bandage but your idea sounds a bit easier!