Swollen tendon sheath - advice needed

[Louisewere]

So I noticed once in November that my 4yo mare had a bit of a swollen LH, just above fetlock. It went away the next day and I didn’t think much of it. Fast forward a few weeks and she started showing signs of ulcers- scoped for pyloric ulcers. So of course I thought of that left leg as vet said to keep an open mind about pain causing the ulcers. The swelling has since reappeared but mild and only in the windgall area (tendon sheath) and is only in the left hind and not the right. The asymmetry is a concern to me. So I called the vet and explained the situation he said that we should do X-rays to check the fetlock joint. All X-rays are fine, and I asked the vet should we do ultrasounds to check the soft tissues, he said no because he could feel the tendon and everything felt like it was there and as it should be. He said I should Put hind shoes on (currently only shod on front) as it may be concussion from having no shoes on the hind feet. The more I read I’m thinking it’s a tendon issue. She’s not lame, no heat in the swelling area and doesn’t mind it being poked and prodded.
Should I go back to my vet and say I really think we should do ultra sounds even though the vet said it would be a waste of time?
Help! I have considered a change of vet, but current vet is a family friend so I don’t want to cause any problems.

 

[milliepops]

i would ask for a second opinion or push to scan the leg. the thing about shoes sounds like someone scratching around for answers they don't have.
If your spidey senses are tingling with an unexplained swelling it's usually for good reason. Although you have no heat and no lameness my experience is that you can have a lurking minor injury there without them. i would agree that asymmetry is a bit of a red flag, i have a windgally horse but hers always match, they go up and down depending on the weather and ground conditions but always match.

 

[Kahlua]

I would, just to completely rule it out, otherwise you will forever be second guessing it. If you aren’t 100% completely confident in your current vet then definitely seek out a second opinion.

 

[ITPersonnage]

Does anyone (maybe you?) trim her hind feet? Do they wear evenly ?

 

[Orangehorse]

Are you sure that there isn't a tiny cut on the fetlock? Mine had a swollen leg, vet came out, diagnosed tendon (not lame), box rest. I bandaged her legs and in the morning removed her bandage to find yellow pus on the gamgee. Not tendon at all, a tiny, tiny little scratch that had become infected - typical of this horse. But I was relieved.

I think you need to follow your gut instinct. OK, your vet doesn't agree but it is your horse and your money and you want to find out what is wrong.

 

[ycbm]

Ask your vet how adding a pound of solid steel to the end of her leg will reduce concussion. I thought vets were stopping that kind of nonsense statement, but it seems not. Makes me mad!


I agree with everyone else, I would scan because of the asymmetry.

 

[Louisewere]

thanks for all the replies:
Update. Got her leg scanned by another vet. She was slightly lame when they assessed her but there is a bit of swelling/inflammation on left tendon sheath. They couldn’t see any damage to tendons on scan, so they injected the swollen area with steroid and HA and she’s got a month off, and then reassess. Fingers crossed she’s sound in a months time!!

 

[milliepops]

good job you followed that up then. hope she has a speedy recovery.

 

[Reacher]

Fingers crossed for a good recovery

Ask your vet how adding a pound of solid steel to the end of her leg will reduce concussion. I thought vets were stopping that kind of nonsense statement, but it seems not. Makes me mad!


I agree with everyone else, I would scan because of the asymmetry.

I've always wondered why Usain Bolt doesn't kit himself out in metal shoes ?!

 

[Birker2020]

Ice, Ice and ice. Purely and simply, the best immediate thing you can do. Then get the vet to investigate. Secondly bandage, thirdly anti inflammatories.

 

[Birker2020]

I thought I would elaborate on my previous reply and you will see why I keep banging on why it's very good to instigate cold therapy as soon as your horse has a tendon/ligament injury.

This is me going by my other user name (long story but two user names as don't have access on computer to old user name only phone).

Picture 1 December 2019, around the 28th December to be precise. Damaged tendon fibres showing as a large hole. Check ligament injury in 23 year old. Ice therapy started on the 21st December which is the day I rang the vets to inform them my horse had gone dramatically lame out on a hack and would they come and advise as no heat/swelling could be felt. Less than an hour later both heat and swelling were present. It turned out to be a check ligament. I started icing after the vet had gone and continued twice a day until second week in Feb as I was on furlough. I was mental with the ice, I would ice using an ice cup. Then around an hour later I would ice using ice vibe boots. I also used LW ultrasound for 10 mins once a day, and bandaged both front legs. Also gave anti inflammatories and my horse went on box rest.

Picture 2 end of March 2020, three months later. The hole had closed up indicating that the tendon fibres have realigned and are healing well. Horse started going out beginning of April in very small paddock which was made bigger over the course of 4 weeks.

In (I think it was June) I started hacking in walk only, up to three times a week - 2 x 20m and 1 x 50m hacks.

My vet has said previously that loads of ice therapy at initial injury means the horse recovers much quicker. Here is more information about cold therapy.

https://equusmagazine.com/horse-care/chill-factor-29633