Karlyg21
Member
I had a mare given to me 5 weeks ago with a puncture wound to her hock joint on the outer side. All I was told was that it had been done 5 days prior from getting cast in her stable. She had unpredcribed anti bs for 5 days until I got her. 2 days after arriving her lower leg swelled so I called vet and got a course of anti bs, it would seem looking back now that the swelling in the lower leg was just an oedema caused by box rest. 2 weeks later vet took her off anti bs and I resumed turnout, swelling went down in day and returned only when stabled (I bandage her now). 2 and a half weeks pass without problem, this mare has never been lame. Last saturday in true tb fashion, she went through some electric fence and just took a tiny bit of scab off the wound. So I cleaned it, thought nothing of it. 2 days later her hock and upper leg blew up like a balloon, green watery puss oozing from the scab. Joint involved and mare was hopping lame. 2 days of anti b and mare is sound. Vet however has told me that there is likely debris or bone in the wound causing this reoccurance and she will need an xray and operation or putting to sleep.
I have pretty much dismissed the possibility of a bone chip due to the fact this mare has never been lame until the flare up 2 days ago. My question is...if there is debris in the wound will it work it's own way out? I am poulticing with Epsom salts which has drawn a lot of puss to the surface. Op and xray just isn't an option, I took this mare when no one else would to give her a chance, as the race yard couldn't be bothered to treat her, instead they self prescribed the anti bs she had before I took her after they said they'll just put her to sleep instead (she was way too slow
To race) of the hassle involved. I obviously have to draw the line somewhere in regards to finances with her (vet bill so far in excessive...15pound a day anti bs, 5 call outs, examinations etc etc)
Any pointers on this? I am tempted to ask for a few wks of anti bs and do a blood test in a few weeks to Check the infection had gone before taking her off them. Box rest until off anti bs and wound is 100% healed if there is a reoccurance of infection I guess it is debris inside and will have to PTS. Is this a good plan? Will poultice with Epsom salt paste help draw out debris?
I have pretty much dismissed the possibility of a bone chip due to the fact this mare has never been lame until the flare up 2 days ago. My question is...if there is debris in the wound will it work it's own way out? I am poulticing with Epsom salts which has drawn a lot of puss to the surface. Op and xray just isn't an option, I took this mare when no one else would to give her a chance, as the race yard couldn't be bothered to treat her, instead they self prescribed the anti bs she had before I took her after they said they'll just put her to sleep instead (she was way too slow
To race) of the hassle involved. I obviously have to draw the line somewhere in regards to finances with her (vet bill so far in excessive...15pound a day anti bs, 5 call outs, examinations etc etc)
Any pointers on this? I am tempted to ask for a few wks of anti bs and do a blood test in a few weeks to Check the infection had gone before taking her off them. Box rest until off anti bs and wound is 100% healed if there is a reoccurance of infection I guess it is debris inside and will have to PTS. Is this a good plan? Will poultice with Epsom salt paste help draw out debris?