Swelling on leg not going down

Caramac71

Caramac71

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Last Wednesday evening horse came in with swollen left hind around fetlock area, oozing orange fluid. Not lame and not too bothered about it. Called emergency vet who thought it was a localised infection, possibly from a sting or bite. No sign of a wound. Gave antibiotics and bute, said to cold hose, bandage, box rest til the end of the weekend, hand walk, etc.

Typically we were going away for a few days so YO took over her care. By Friday the swelling was worse, up to the hock, so vet came back out. Scanned the leg but found nothing, gave steroid, bute and changed antibiotic. Advised 24/7 turnout in a small paddock.

By the next day the swelling had gone down from the hock but was similar to how it had been originally. We were advised to stop bandaging as skin was peeling off. But otherwise we've continued with antibiotics, bute, turnout, cold hosing, inhand walks. Yesterday the vet suggested poulticing, just in case there is a thorn or something in there that didn't show up on the scan.

There's not been much significant change in the swelling since. Horse is still not lame and doesnt seem bothered by it at all (and she is usually a complete drama queen with the tiniest of wounds!).

She had Emmett therapy, with the vet's consent, yesterday to see if it helped drain.

Vet is happy for us to keep going for a few more days and has lengthened the time of antibiotics and bute. However she is concerned that it's not going down as much as she'd like, so if there's not much improvement then she'd like her in to clinic after the weekend.

Is there anything else we can be doing to help reduce the swelling?
 
Have you tried to "sweat" the leg? (Also, is she a super hairy cob type, clipped, or just not that fuzzy?)

In the US we use furacin but you can't get that in the UK, so Magna Paste (basically epsom salt jelly, I think it's sold as Magnesium Sulphate Paste here) is a good option. Magnesium sulphate is hygroscopic, meaning it draws water to itself- a ratio of about 7 water molecules per MgSO4 unit, which is great. If there is no open wound you can add a little DMSO to the paste which will improve skin penetration, and if you have access, a little dexamethasone (like 5cc) works wonders. Slather it on the leg, LOOSELY cover with cling film, apply regular standing bandage (quilt and wrap) and leave for 12 hrs. I have not found a single type of swelling that doesn't respond to it, and a furacin/epsom salt/DMSO/dex concoction with a stack/stovepipe wrap is incidentally a great way to bring down cellulitis.
 
Hot fomentations? The heat usually shifts the swelling, thins it and makes it easier for the lymph glands to remove - soak towels or similar in hand hot water, wring out and apply to the area, keeping it there until it cools, and repeat for several times until water is too cool to make much difference. Done this old remedy recently on mine (looked like a bite) and the swelling went over the next couple of hours and didn't return. Worth a try
 
Thanks for the replies. We've been using Animalintext since last Thursday and the swelling is very slowly starting to go. Antibiotics finished yesterday and vet is hoping the slight swelling we still have is inflammation rather than infection. Fingers crossed it doesnt worsen again now we've stopped the meds.

JillA, that's really interesting and if it comes back then we'll give it a try.
 
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