Puncture wounds. Err on the side of caution?

[Enfys]

If it's not one thing it's another!

One of the horses has developed a very big leg since coming in 6 hours ago, swollen from hoof to knee. Bit warm, but not lame and since I was allowed to poke, prod and squeeze (nothing coming out) apparently not that painful either.

All I could see was a bit of bloody discharge from a puncture wound on the inside of his knee. Not caused by a kick as none of the others are shod. I've hosed it and sprayed iodine in it and am waiting for the Vet to call me back (about something else) but am debating whether to have him come out and give anti-biotics now or leave it and see how it is tomorrow.

Hmm? What to do?

 

[Enfys]

Big leg, sorry forgot to take the photo as a pair of legs. This is puffed up though, the yellow stuff running down his leg is iodine not gunk by the way.

 

[Skhosu]

I can only tell you about mine.
We had a small puncture wound (didn't look v deep) and a slightly swollen leg. By the next day it was v. big so got anti-b's. IT started going down, then just stopped. By this time we were a week on so called the vet who said to cold hose and take for a hack. I lunged (no shoes) and cold hosed and hey presto the next day the swelling was nearly gone and all gone the day after. The wound scabbed over and is still healing now.
If you read my posts below though you can see people recommending a vet so hopefully they'll reple That looks like a big knee though!

 

[Enfys]

Thankyou

off to read your post right now.

 

[Bossanova]

A|lways be a little cautius with knees, puncture wounds can tend to get down to the bone there. We have a pony on the yard atm that got kicked and although the wound looks nothing now, vets think it did go to the bone and it's taking him a long time to come right

 

[Patches]

My horse's big knee from a small scab turned into a tendon sheath infection. For that reason I would always, always get the vet out now to that type of injury. Patches life was in danger and had she not received prompt attention and surgical intervention she would not be with me right now.

Not trying to panic you, but as per the title of your thread...yes I would always take the over cautious route now.

 

[Tia]

Personally I rarely call the vet out for anything these days.....but I do have huge stocks of anti-B's, bute and Penicillin and of course needles and syringes etc etc...

I wouldn't call the vet out for this but I would give bute and a broad spectrum anti-B. But then I've turned into a bit of a maverick since moving here.

I think it all depends on how close your vet is - mine is often a million miles away so I do tend to deal with these sorts of things alone nowadays.

 

[Enfys]

Tia, is your Vet OK with you treating them yourself? I can get anti-biotics etc over the counter but am a bit dubious to jab him incase i make things worse rather than better

 

[Tia]

My vet is my stockist. I never buy anything over the counter; I always buy direct from him so if there ever were any complications he would know exactly what would have been given. Yes he is perfectly happy with me doing whatever needs doing and I hardly ever call him except in an emergency. Once in a while I'll touch base with him just to confirm my diagnosis is what he thinks too.

Up where I am you really can't rely too heavily on the vet to be honest, as he is very often not contactable if he is out in the wilds with no cellphone activity.

 

[only_me]

it looks as though its a thorn in it... these can cause infection really quickly so its a good thing you have put iodine on it!

i can inject horses too, as often the sick ones get vitamin injections. I can also draw blood, but not perfect yet! (am trying to be vet so work experience!)

 

[Enfys]

Vet came out this morning, Zeus had a slight temperature but swelling was down and no discharge, so he's had a tet jab (was due that, Rabies and WNV anyway) and penicillin and I have tablets for him and pen injections. He didn't seem unduly worried.

Actually I think he gave me a compliment, his first words were 'That colt is very easy on the eye' . Poor man, he's getting used to me thrusting a plant in his direction and asking what it is, and will it kill my horses? He's used to us immigrants asking him things like that.

Better safe than sorry.