Puffy Digital Artery

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Nag Nag Nag

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My 18 yr old arab / conn gelding went ever so slightly lame a couple of weeks ago, just a little uneven in front whilst trotting on the road, and a little reluctant to move forward (very out of character!). It felt like it was his off fore, so we walked home, and once I looked him over, I found what I thought was a swollen vein, running behind the cannon bone. It was BIG, I mean big! A bit like a varicose vein on a human. Turned him out and the following evening it was still there, but he was sound in hand, so I popped out for a little hack to see what would happen - sure enough, he was not level in front, and the "vein" was big again when I got home!

I'm a bit softie, so I got the vet out; she says that it is his digital artery, and sure enough, there is a faint pulse. She tested for abscess, laminitis (he is not overweight, in light work and on restricted grass) etc etc. He limped after a flexion test, but hey, he's an ex competition pony! She diagnosed "I have no idea", and told me to keep working him lightly, it would go away in its own time.

Turned him out til the artery went back to normal (about a week), gave it another 4 days for good measure, rode last night and there it is again.

Just wondered if anyone has any ideas??? Was hoping to get him fit enough for daughter (who has lameness issues of her own!) to take to PC Camp this summer, but now I'm worrying about the artery rupturing.

Thanks
 
Something is wrong, I would have the shoes off and test for everything before re-shoeing, if something wrong do not re-shoe and call vet.
Get the vet out again if farrier has no clear diagnosis and lameness persists.
Is there any history of lameness.
Has there been any significant changes in management or anything, take temperature for a few days, and check respiration and temperature and observe generally for anything unusual.
 
Hi, no history of lameness, no management changes, no temperature; resps etc all normal.

Will get farrier out to take a look - reckon he will have more knowledge than the vet that came anyway! Just for clarity though - he is now totally, 100% sound (should have put that in the original post, sorry!) but the artery is still slightly raised before work, and very raised after.
 
Did the vet listen to his heart? Generally, I would not be too concerned about the chances of the artery rupturing. Its more the sign that there is inflammation somewhere in the lower limb. Id continue with light work for another few days - cold hoing after exercise. If no change/improvement by end of next week Id get the pony looked at again - perhaps get the area scanned.
 
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