Reassurance needed re. injury

[HorseMaid]

My lovely mare sustained an injury two days ago when out on a hack, a small cut below her stifle (maybe 3 cm long max). It did bleed a fair bit as she had caught a vein and we'd just been cantering, which we managed to stop and she walked 4 MILES home completely sound as if it hadn't happened. Vet came and wasn't worried that there was any joint involvement whatsoever (well away from stifle), and also felt that although it was full thickness skin she hadn't damaged the muscle underneath. She was sedated, wound was cleaned well and 3 quite hefty stitches put in.

She's on antibiotics and bute, there is a bit of swelling as expected but not horrific (doesn't look like a haemotoma) and the 3 stitches are still intact but oh my is she looking uncomfortable when she walks a few steps. I'm not sure if I should call the vet back or whether this is normal for an injury such as this, or indeed whether she's being a bit of a drama queen. I'm not doubting that it's sore, but she is fully weight bearing on all legs and very keen on eating her dinner.

 

[Barton Bounty]

My lovely mare sustained an injury two days ago when out on a hack, a small cut below her stifle (maybe 3 cm long max). It did bleed a fair bit as she had caught a vein and we'd just been cantering, which we managed to stop and she walked 4 MILES home completely sound as if it hadn't happened. Vet came and wasn't worried that there was any joint involvement whatsoever (well away from stifle), and also felt that although it was full thickness skin she hadn't damaged the muscle underneath. She was sedated, wound was cleaned well and 3 quite hefty stitches put in.

She's on antibiotics and bute, there is a bit of swelling as expected but not horrific (doesn't look like a haemotoma) and the 3 stitches are still intact but oh my is she looking uncomfortable when she walks a few steps. I'm not sure if I should call the vet back or whether this is normal for an injury such as this, or indeed whether she's being a bit of a drama queen. I'm not doubting that it's sore, but she is fully weight bearing on all legs and very keen on eating her dinner.

If in two more days the swelling hasnt gone down get the vet back out. Usually the antibiotics take a day or two to work!

 

[Red-1]

I would expect I would walk a bit funny if I had 3 stitches and swelling too so it wouldn't worry me if she were not sound. It is likely bruised and the stitches pulling.

However, not knowing you, your horse or the injury, if you are worried I would always call the vet. They my take a look at photo/video and decide not to come anyway and be able to advise over the phone.

If she were non weight bearing or not eating, this would be different.

I would put out in a small area for a mosey, or hand graze for a few hours so it is gently moving but not forced. If the stitches are not dissolvable, I would also cold hose.

Is the horse on pain relief?

 

[HorseMaid]

If in two more days the swelling hasnt gone down get the vet back out. Usually the antibiotics take a day or two to work!

This is sort of what I'm thinking, give them a chance to work and also for the natural healing process to get going. There isn't any sign of infection as in oozing etc and I think it's probably just a normal inflammatory response to the injury but I can't help worrying

 

[HorseMaid]

Yes she's had some bute, maybe it isn't enough!

 

[Red-1]

Yes she's had some bute, maybe it isn't enough!

I wouldn't give more as long as she can mosey round. It hurting will stop her (hopefully) tearing round and ripping the stitches.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

This is sort of what I'm thinking, give them a chance to work and also for the natural healing process to get going. There isn't any sign of infection as in oozing etc and I think it's probably just a normal inflammatory response to the injury but I can't help worrying

Is she on any anti-inflamnatories? If not I think I would ask the vet for some, after a discussion about where her recovery has got to. I would ring today to at least ask for bute to carry her over to a non-emergency call out tomorrow.

Eta just read she is on bute!

 

[Barton Bounty]

This is sort of what I'm thinking, give them a chance to work and also for the natural healing process to get going. There isn't any sign of infection as in oozing etc and I think it's probably just a normal inflammatory response to the injury but I can't help worrying

At the moment , I wouldnt worry? i know it is hard not to, bit probably by tomorrow she will be feeling a lot better and swelling will have gone down. Usually gets worse before it gets better

 

[HorseMaid]

I've just rung the vets and they're going to give me a call back, I'm not worried as such because I know it isn't a serious injury but I'm just surprised that she's so sore I think. She has been shut on our little yard where she has been mooching around. I'm thinking that maybe when her leg flexes it's ouchy as you'd expect and I'm worrying too much!

 

[Barton Bounty]

Well to be honest I am not surprised she has a bit of swelling, she walked all the way home… 4 miles with an injury. Think if it was us? Trying to walk on a cut i am sure she will be fine and hopefully the vet will put your mind at rest

 

[LadyGascoyne]

Do you know what it was it that caused the cut? Is it possible that there is still something in there, or there is a reaction to whatever it was?

 

[Barton Bounty]

I meant to add… when was her last tetanus?

It could be a dirty cut that needs one

 

[HorseMaid]

Up to date with Tetanus, wound was well washed out by the vet but it wasn't a "dirty" cut, she caught it on the side of a wall next to a gate going through too close (rider error on my part), sticky out bit of stone I think although not 100% sure.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Up to date with Tetanus, wound was well washed out by the vet but it wasn't a "dirty" cut, she caught it on the side of a wall next to a gate going through too close (rider error on my part), sticky out bit of stone I think although not 100% sure.

Ahh ok , I know when BB cut his leg on a fence he got a tetanus anyway just in case

 

[meleeka]

You may be able to send your vet a video of her moving and they’ll just advise over the phone. Hopefully you are worrying about nothing.

 

[ycbm]

Up to date with Tetanus, wound was well washed out by the vet but it wasn't a "dirty" cut, she caught it on the side of a wall next to a gate going through too close (rider error on my part), sticky out bit of stone I think although not 100% sure.

I would guess then that she has bruised the bone. If the cut fails to heal I would get an x ray for a sequestrum. Meanwhile I would not let her have enough space to gallop around, just in case.
.

 

[HorseMaid]

Yes that's a good idea, they will normally take a WhatsApp video. Have just spoken to them and they weren't unduly worried, just said to let them know if no improvement in a couple of days, I think I'm just being a worry wart

 

[HorseMaid]

ycbm I hadn't considered that there

I would guess then that she has bruised the bone. If the cut fails to heal I would get an x ray for a sequestrum. Meanwhile I would not let her have enough space to gallop around, just in case.
.

I just googled sequestrum and I am really hoping that it's not that and just bruising to the surrounding tissues

 

[ycbm]

ycbm I hadn't considered that there

I just googled sequestrum and I am really hoping that it's not that and just bruising to the surrounding tissues

It's probably unlikely, much more likely just to be a bruise. I didn't mean to worry you, but better safe than sorry for a few days til you know. I've had two, both recovered fine just with time.
.

 

[tristar]

i would check it twice a day for heat.

and take temperature to be one the safe side

 

[Birker2020]

I can confirm that I didn't see an improvement in Lari until 24 hrs on Doxycycline. The second time he went back on less than a week coming off it he looked better after 24hrs.

I've also had a horse with a sequestered bone off the stifle. It was small and was absorbed by the body.

 

[Goldenstar]

Taking their temperature is well worth doing in a situation like this .
They will also often look depressed when standing when a wound is going seriously wrong .

 

[HorseMaid]

She certainly doesn't look depressed and was more than happy to gobble up her meds earlier. My friend thinks she looks better than yesterday

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

She is probably swelling and stiffening up because she is not moving as much as she normally would.

 

[HorseMaid]

Update to this, she did improve within a day or two (stitches out now etc and looking sound, wound looking much better) and the farrier came today to put the shoe on that we decided to leave last week when she was shod as she was still sore... And out popped a hoof abscess when he took the shoe off... So it turns out she was probably not being dramatic about her wound but had the abscess in the same leg, how awful do I feel!!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

At least it was only an abscess.

 

[Lucky Snowball]

Good news, thank you for the update.

 

[ycbm]

Update to this, she did improve within a day or two (stitches out now etc and looking sound, wound looking much better) and the farrier came today to put the shoe on that we decided to leave last week when she was shod as she was still sore... And out popped a hoof abscess when he took the shoe off... So it turns out she was probably not being dramatic about her wound but had the abscess in the same leg, how awful do I feel!!

Well thats nice and easy, pleased for you

 

[HorseMaid]

Thank you, I just feel bad for not spotting it but she is doing just great sporting her canvas poultice boot!

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

My lovely mare sustained an injury two days ago when out on a hack, a small cut below her stifle (maybe 3 cm long max). It did bleed a fair bit as she had caught a vein and we'd just been cantering, which we managed to stop and she walked 4 MILES home completely sound as if it hadn't happened. Vet came and wasn't worried that there was any joint involvement whatsoever (well away from stifle), and also felt that although it was full thickness skin she hadn't damaged the muscle underneath. She was sedated, wound was cleaned well and 3 quite hefty stitches put in.

She's on antibiotics and bute, there is a bit of swelling as expected but not horrific (doesn't look like a haemotoma) and the 3 stitches are still intact but oh my is she looking uncomfortable when she walks a few steps. I'm not sure if I should call the vet back or whether this is normal for an injury such as this, or indeed whether she's being a bit of a drama queen. I'm not doubting that it's sore, but she is fully weight bearing on all legs and very keen on eating her dinner.

That is good as least it is sorted