Swollen knee, no lameness, any ideas?

[Comanche]

I have a lovely warmblood mare who has more than paid her dues on the eventing circuit and has been retired for around 5 years. About three months ago she came in with a swollen knee. The vet suggested antibiotics and gave her an anti inflammatory. She had just had a foal so the vet didn't want to drain the knee if poss, as she thought it might upset the little one. We gave her the full course, but although the swelling went down a bit at first, it came back. The vet came out and drained the knee and mostly blood came out rather than joint fluid, which she had expected. She injected steroids and antibiotics into the knee and gave us a lovely pressure bandage to apply. The vet did say that the drugs could take 6 weeks to work, but there is no difference. My mare does not appear to be in any pain and is totally sound. The vet was a bit quick to suggest weaning the foal and putting the mare to sleep, so I am looking for any other suggestions! I would do the right thing if I thought she was in pain or suffering in any way, but I am sure she is not. We have not exercised her in the last few months and I am wondering if this would make any difference. Any thoughts? Thanks in anticipation.

 

[CBFan]

put your vet to sleep?!!

How swollen is the knee? I know a mare that is out jumping BSJA Circuits of a regular basis with a swollen knee and is completely sound, similarly, my filly had a swollen knee due to growth problems but that didn't cause any soundness issues.. what future use do you have in mind for the mare? if she's happy, no reason why she shouldn't keep going.

 

[Comanche]

Thanks for that. My mare is just happy to be hacked out and likes playing around on the school a bit. As far as I'm concerned, she's paid her dues in the eventing field and has given us a cracking foal.
Its just so annoying to be told to put her to sleep when she is sound!
I'll see how she gets on.

 

[PapaFrita]

A few of the SJers on my yard have almost permanently puffy knees where they've whacked them on a fence once too often

Vet occasionally drains them, but mostly they're just left alone. Why would your vet suggest putting your mare to sleep if she's sound and happy?????