some reassurance please?

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rosepa

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I'll try keep this short...

So almost three weeks ago my horse got kicked on the inside of his right fore leg just above the knee, this went down to the bone so a trip to vets in order! X-rays clear, 3 stitches, course of antibiotics... 5 nights later he was home. I continued dressing his leg for the next week, he was on box rest (well - equivalent to in the field), we cut stitches out as it was skinning over too. Vet then came out and said it was looking good, gave some gel to put on it (it forms a seal and protects it) as well as all clear to ride (wasn't expecting that but as he practically ran me over in trot up she said it was best for his mental health lol), but take it easy. That was a week and a half ago now.

But... today I brought him up to the yard, and his knee has swelled up! It is not particularly hot at all, and really not very swollen - only at the bottom, but definitely concerned me; it feels as if it could be fluid, but then again he swells up massively when bitten so could it be that? Also, around the wound it is still very swollen too and quite hot - I'm worried this will be permanent as the wound itself is healing well and has almost all closed up; this swelling is much harder, doesn't hurt him at all when pressed either. Since the scab fell off I've swapped the vet's gel for green oils. Finally, when I turned him back out he trotted off lame...

Anyway, I've only had my boy about 5 months, totally adore him he is everything I was looking for, but dreading him turning out to be an accident-prone horse! Prior to this he's also got a small puncture wound on the other knee, that's just about healed at least! I am going to call the vet tomorrow to be on the safe side regarding the swelling/lameness, but in the meantime does anybody have any experience with similar wounds and how they heal long-term? Any help appreciated! I'm dying to get back in the saddle properly and get out with him this summer! Thanks x
 
Hi, sorry I cannot help with any practical suggestions just wanted to send best wishes for full recovery and send both of you hugs :) x
 
Speaking to your vet is definitely the right course of action but it could just be as simple as some infection is still in there & has flared up again. You say the cut is still hot & swollen, perhaps the knee is swelling because any infection can't come outwards now the cut is nearly healed?! He may just need another course of antibiotics to help everything nasty to get out of his system...
Horses that swell easily are rather trying!! I've had a few that needed ab's for simple cuts that a tougher horse would just shrug off! Have also found over the years that things all seem to come one after another & then nothing for ages so fingers crossed your boy is having his sick note period & you'll soon be able to get going with him very soon!! :)
 
Dazed'n'confused said:
Speaking to your vet is definitely the right course of action but it could just be as simple as some infection is still in there & has flared up again. You say the cut is still hot & swollen, perhaps the knee is swelling because any infection can't come outwards now the cut is nearly healed?! He may just need another course of antibiotics to help everything nasty to get out of his system...
Horses that swell easily are rather trying!! I've had a few that needed ab's for simple cuts that a tougher horse would just shrug off! Have also found over the years that things all seem to come one after another & then nothing for ages so fingers crossed your boy is having his sick note period & you'll soon be able to get going with him very soon!! :)
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That sounds very likely! He is a warmblood and loves to play - minor cuts and grazes seem to appear every week! Bless him. Hopefully another course of antibiotics will sort it for good.
 
I would have the vet out. It does sound as if there is infection in there, you don't want to risk it tracking to the bone. They scare the bejesus out of us.
 
An infection seems a great alternative to what the vet thought today... Looks like excess bone tissue is growing due to the concussion and impact (now he's running around in the field and being ridden on roads), which has caused the hard swelling. Now on box rest and x-rays being taken tomorrow - could be anything from another 2 to 6 weeks off! arghhh
 
rosepa said:
An infection seems a great alternative to what the vet thought today... Looks like excess bone tissue is growing due to the concussion and impact (now he's running around in the field and being ridden on roads), which has caused the hard swelling. Now on box rest and x-rays being taken tomorrow - could be anything from another 2 to 6 weeks off! arghhh
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Oh heck, why can't anything be straight forward with horses.......
Nothing helpful to add except the offer of a virtual hug & the hope that you have a large glass of medicinal wine to hand! :)
 
Dazed'n'confused said:
Oh heck, why can't anything be straight forward with horses.......
Nothing helpful to add except the offer of a virtual hug & the hope that you have a large glass of medicinal wine to hand! :)
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Thanks :) Lol I'm only 16! Such complicated animals... Praying for x-rays to show just a few weeks box rest needed but doubting that knowing my luck with him so far :(
 
rosepa said:
Thanks :) Lol I'm only 16! Such complicated animals... Praying for x-rays to show just a few weeks box rest needed but doubting that knowing my luck with him so far :(
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Haha, ok substitute wine for large bar of chocolate!! ;)
I'm sorry you're having to go through all this at 16 when you should be having lots & lots of fun before you get to my old age & your body starts complaining that it's had too many falls!! :D
Will keep everything crossed for you & hopefully after some bed rest he'll be ready to do some work!
 
He had x-ray's today - they're not awful but his has some callos bone and a lot of soft tissue. Any idea what could have brought this on suddenly? Bruising from concussion I guess as been riding him on roads a lot over the weekend.

Anyway, six weeks of box rest (well - a pen in his field) and then more x-rays. No long term damage/it shouldn't affect his ridden work although a lump will always be there! Fingers crossed that after that I'll be able to start getting him fit again!
 
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