Swollen bite, looking lame?

[simba**]

Hi
My friends pony came in with what looked like a horse fly bite on her stomach near her flank it was very swollen and has at least doubled in size over the past 24 hours.

It seems to be effecting her movement and she is looking quite stiff.

She seems really irritated with the pain. She has given her antihistamines and put some cream on it.
She has sent the vet a photo of it however hasn't heard back from them as of yet.

Any ideas what other things she should be doing. Thanks

 

[Gloi]

That looks really nasty. What is the actual wound like in the middle of it? It looks rather big for a horse fly bite and ours aren't out yet. Sorry I'm not being very helpful.
Hope the vet gets back to you in the morning.

 

[simba**]

Yes we did think it was rather big for a horse fly. There has been a lot of bees around our yard at the min.

 

[PurBee]

In the northern hemisphere the horse flies won’t usually be out yet, moreso june time, unless it’s a really freaky seasonal emergence of them where you are. They tend to hatch when it’s much warmer.
Also their bites can result in large inflamed welts, but usually there isn’t such a large visible wound in the centre. They also tend not to cause lameness, but in a sensitive horse not used to bites, initial bites can be nasty, horse dull and depressed due to inflammation. Inflammation can cause lethargy.
Could it be a puncture wound from fencing? Rubbing on fencing causing wound and infection? I’d want a vet to check for anything stuck in there like a thorn or something…thorn splinters can cause continuous pain aswell as inflammation. Are there any thorny bushes where the pony is grazing?
I’ve seen a few bees about too, but again their stings tend not to leave such a visible wound.
The lameness is abit worrying, as it’s on the flank and not leg. I’d want a vet for opinion and investigate for thorns, and possibly anti-inflammatories/anti-bac cream.

 

[Rough and tumble]

Poss could be a puncture wound or a foreign body in it , I agree good idea to send a pic to the vet but give size pony in pain I would want to speak to a vet versus a picture think a call out is needed , we had quite a lot of midges around yesyrday and today xx keep up us updated

 

[AmyMay Again]

Looks like a puncture wounds to me. Not a bite.

 

[Traks]

Chase the vet? If she’s lame then that would be my first port of call…not sure I’d wait for a reply to a message that may or may not come

 

[rabatsa]

Could she have laid down onto a basking adder?

 

[Red-1]

I would have the vet as an emergency callout today, rather than waiting for a non specific advice call. If that is a puncture wound then infection can build up inside and make a real mess really quickly.

 

[Gloi]

How is she today?