Possible fall on ice, fluid on hock ?

[Hormonal Filly]

Evening all.

This morning my mares pen was quite icy attached to her stable. She moved quickly when she saw my car, Then slip and fell (all 4 legs went) as I arrived today. She got up ok, but as soon as it had happened I noticed some fluid on her right hock. Stupid owner for not putting salt down.

Her water bucket was also badly broken so wondering if she had another fall in the night. ?

Spoke to my lameness vet, although he’s 2 hours away and not local.. so not an emergency vet but usually helpful, who advised to take her temperature. Normal. He then said give 2 bute and turnout this morning.. which I did, he said movement should reduce it. Bought her in 7 hours later, still fluid and some heat but no worse. Took some pictures. He said looked like thoroughpin, he isn’t to worried and to keep an eye on it, and she has probably twisted it. (It does look like thoroughpin/bog spavin which is lower after a google)

Went back up to the yard at 9pm as she’s stabled and I’m worried. Hock looks like it’s filled a bit more and is still warm. Filling is inside/front of hock (This hock is the one we found 2 bone chips on recent X-rays - taken for piece of mind but my vet said he doesn’t think they’re in a worrying place and not to worry for now he will revisit in January)

I’m really worried. I trotted her up where I could, she doesn’t appear lame and is weight bearing.

Do I get a local vet out this week? (Bearing in mind the independent vet I’ve been using now charges £150 in fuel and visit fee) or wait and see? Would you turn out tomorrow, like the vet advised. She’s happy in herself.

Sorry. Just don’t know what to do for the best and would like some H&H advice if possible please. Bit worried about turning out and seeing what happens incase it’s damaged internally. Also aware I may be being totally OTT..

 

[ponynutz]

If she's happy in herself I'd do exactly as the vet suggested but pop some straw/salt down where you can to try and minimise the chance of her having another fall. If you do keep her in at least turn her out in the school while you muck out/poo pick if you're allowed as vet seems to think movement will really help.

I wouldn't call out personally just yet - I normally wait 3 to 4 days before I actually call someone out unless horse seems to be in terrible pain. Given her history I think you're bound to be more worried than someone else might be and my advice would be to trust in your vet! If he's not local and is your 'lameness' vet I imagine you trust them quite a bit?

That being said if you can afford the local vet and it would put your mind at ease (which if you're already asking the question I imagine it would) then go for it.

 

[SEL]

Vets often want the swelling to go down before an x ray if the horse is weight bearing - but in your case I think I'd be getting someone out with a portable machine next week to check that.

(& I'm not entirely sure I'd turnout tbh)

 

[ycbm]

I know this might be simply because of ice, but this is the second thread where you are talking about your mare having trouble with balance and falling over. I wonder if it would be wise to do some neurological tests on your mare? They are easy, you can even do them yourself.

The swelling will hopeful go down in time, it's a mistake we could all have made in this weather. I hope she's better today.
.

 

[Griffin]

My mare slipped yesterday when I turned her out in the field (I had told her not to gallop off in the ice but she ignored me) and as I have just got her sound after months of lameness, I can empathise with the worry. She was ok last night but I will check this morning again.

I would follow your vet's advice unless your mare seems in a lot of pain. I guess the only positive about this cold weather is it may help the swelling to go down because it's like walking round in an ice pack!

I also agree with @ycbm and would consider checking that there is nothing underlying causing balance issues.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Thanks all!

I know this might be simply because of ice, but this is the second thread where you are talking about your mare having trouble with balance and falling over. I wonder if it would be wise to do some neurological tests on your mare? They are easy, you can even do them yourself.

I’ve done neurological tests before (my previous horse was neurological, RIP) and she passed all ok but this was start of the year. I’ll do some today just incase, and mention it to the vet. ?

 

[TPO]

Is cold hosing an option? I'd be doing that 2-4x a day for 15-20mins.

If there was still swelling and heat on Monday I'd call vet again for advice with a view to x-raying.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Is cold hosing an option? I'd be doing that 2-4x a day for 15-20mins.

Usually yes but yesterday the hose pipes were frozen all day.

We have snow here today, might take her for a walk and keep her in.

 

[TPO]

Usually yes but yesterday the hose pipes were frozen all day.















We have snow here today, might take her for a walk and keep her in.

I feel your pain. Last year mum's horse got cellulitis during the snow in February. He was ro be hosed every hour for 15mins, dried then walked for 15mins, dried again then rested until the start of the next hour on a 24hr shift initially.

To stop the hose freezing had to drain it after every use and put it in the barn with loose hay. The tap was covered in old horse rugs. Always kept water in the kettle and poured hot water over any pipes that froze.

Had 5 weeks (thankfully the 24hr rotation was only 3 days) of regular walking and hosing during snow, ice and then a very muddy thaw ? fun times. I feel your pain, the things we do for our horses, eh?

 

[ihatework]

Personally I’d Bute, box rest for 2-3 days with hand walking, plus ice it.

See where I am early next week and if not significantly better I’d have vet out.

 

[spotty_pony]

I’d just follow vets advice and turnout as they have suggested. This will get the swelling down. Also keeping her in, she is more likely to want to have a good run around due to excess energy when she does go back out so I’d keep her moving in a small turnout area so she can wander but not run. If she’s not lame, I’d not be too concerned. Give her some Bute if you have some to help to take the swelling down. I’d normally say cold hose the area too but a bit difficult with hoses all frozen! So maybe get an ice pack and bandage it to area - make sure you place the ice pack on top of a bandage pad so it’s not in direct contact with skin. 20 mins is plenty, twice per day. If no better in 3-4 days I’d rethink about getting the Vet.

 

[southerncomfort]

I feel your pain. Last year mum's horse got cellulitis during the snow in February. He was ro be hosed every hour for 15mins, dried then walked for 15mins, dried again then rested until the start of the next hour on a 24hr shift initially.

To stop the hose freezing had to drain it after every use and put it in the barn with loose hay. The tap was covered in old horse rugs. Always kept water in the kettle and poured hot water over any pipes that froze.

Had 5 weeks (thankfully the 24hr rotation was only 3 days) of regular walking and hosing during snow, ice and then a very muddy thaw ? fun times. I feel your pain, the things we do for our horses, eh?

I remember you going through that. I still don't know how you did it!

Hope your horse is looking a bit better today HF.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Had 5 weeks (thankfully the 24hr rotation was only 3 days) of regular walking and hosing during snow, ice and then a very muddy thaw ? fun times. I feel your pain, the things we do for our horses, eh?

Wow. Worth it in the end though..us horse people are a different kind!

Thanks for all the messages. Swelling looks a bit better this morning but still there and it is warm. I tried to take a picture but it’s impossible to see, I’ve found a google diagram which is exactly where it is.

No pain if I feel around the area and happily walked out on her 15 minute walk. Tried to get her to eat a bute in a tasty feed.. impossible. She detects it from a mile away so will syringe it later.

I’ve kept her in, just because she’s a bit of a lunatic recently and am worried she might hurt herself in the field.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Just an update, still fluid in the same place as the diagram above even after she had been out all day. It’s still warm compared to the other hock.

It isn’t a massive amount but still there. My vet isn’t concerned and doesn’t seem worried/think it’s worth a visit.

Would you get another local vet to visit?

I’d have to put another claim in if X-rays were to be taken, I guess. If I’m honest, having paid one excess, other dog bills and it being Christmas money is rather tight.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Just like us , it sometimes takes some time for things to heal. Id listen to your vet and give it a chance to heal. Will not hurt to keep an eye on it and as her movement increases, hopefully the swelling and heat will go