Possible joint/tendon sheath infection.... also in vet!

[thermidor08]

Hi, I need some advice! Horse had small cut on fetlock last weekend, scrubbed and kept eye on it. Monday it was warm and quite swollen, called vet who prescribed antibiotics/bute over the phone (they know my horse VERY well!!) and asked to be kept updated. Tuesday morning his leg was hugely swollen and hot and horse was lame, vet came out and opened it up, cleaned it and probed about, said there was a "possibility" it could be tendon sheath or infection in joint but he was only about 3/10 lame so not classic hopping lame signs! Gave iv antibiotic and steroid to bring swelling down and to continue with our antibiotics and bute for next few days. The swelling did subside by next morning but is still warm and swollen around his fetlock, it's hard to determine if he is lame as he is on 2 bute a day and I'm concerned there is more to it. This horse lives out 24/7 and is never straightforward! The course of meds ends today, would you expect the heat and swelling to have gone by now?

 

[Always Henesy]

Oh dear! It's always difficult with any cut that affects a joint.
If it helps the following injury involved sepsis of the tendon sheath and my horse was not lame at all through the whole 19 weeks of treatment (apart from the day he did it.

He had emergency surgery the day after this happening (xmas day 2010) to flush the joint. For sepsis of the tendon sheath - usually you have to have it flushed through within 72 hours for a positive outcome.

I would think that with your horse maybe there is an ongoing infection and you may need to continue with the anti biotics.

For the record - my horse was not given bute at all throughout his treatment so we could keep an eye on how comfortable/lame he was. Luckily he remained sound through the whole process.
If you are in doubt - I would get the vet back out to re assess and maybe prescribe some further anti biotics.
Is your horse in? Have to poulticed the wound at all?

Edited to say that I realise your horse is out 24/7 so it won't be fluid build up as a result of standing in.

Poulticing may be a good idea. See what the vet says.