Tendon sheath damage

[lucysnapshot]

my mare has lacerated her tendon sheath and the tendon damage is extremely bad, the vets flushed it today and have bandaged it up, there wasnt anything else they could do if they did operate as the flushing out went really well, so shes bandaged up and will be monitered extensivley for the next few days. if she goes lame then the outlook isnt good, so its just a case of fingers crossed. Has anyone else got any experience with this kind of injury, as cant find much on the net.

 

[Vicster1]

Yep, my mare had a very similar problem about 10 years ago. Tendon sheath had to be flushed out, tendon also damaged and the bone was grazed too.
She was operated on as per your mare and was in hospital for 3 weeks as when they took her off the anti-bis she went downhill again and when theytook the stitches out, the whole thing opened up again.
She was on box rest for a total of 8 months (2 months of not being allowed out at all, the other 6 months gradually walking up to a total of 2 x 30mins a day). It was a Very long process and pretty touch and go at first (she was given a 5% chance of survival at first), and I was told she would never be ridden again nor would I be able to breed from her. I got Very lucky, and not only was I able to ride her again, but also have her 6 1/2 year old "foal" now!! She has to wear special shoes as the tendon sheath doesn't contain enough fluid now, and occasionally she'll go lame (usually when she's been wellying around the field in the summer!)

Good luck and if you want any advice/help/shoulder to cry on, then please let me know!!

 

[virtual]

My hunter had a tendon and tendon sheath laceration from a flint injury. His was flushed out under GA and in horse hospital for 3 weeks, but after a couple of months still didn't come "right" so was re flushed out and turned away for 4 months then brought up slowly. He was 13 when he did it, and 21 now, and has hunted every year since (being huntsman's horse for 5 seasons).

Good luck with your mare, it's a scary thing to happen, but don't get too worked up about set backs, just go and feed her lots of carrots and take the advice of your vets.

 

[Llwyncwn]

I am so sorry to hear this and cant offer any advice other than it sounds like the vets are doing all they can by flushing out the sheath.

Thinking about you and keeping fingers crossed. Please let us know how you get on.

 

[lucysnapshot]

my mare is only 4yrs and didnt go under GA

 

[cazzr]

I've just gone through this with my mare, tho she luckily didn't damage any tendons or ligaments, just the sheath.
She's due to have her stiches out on Friday and seems to be taking the box rest VERY well (i would have expected her to be a nutter), almost too well as I worry she may be a bit depressed. She is still eating tho so I am going with it for now.

Can't really give any advice about long term tho as I've not got there yet.. It does seem to me to be a very common injury, tho I might be noticing threads about it more now that my mare has done it....

Fingers crossed for you.

Caz

 

[Tierra]

My boy was kicked last year and that went straight through his tendon sheath. We were lucky in that the tendon itself wasnt damaged. It was about an inch above his front knee so they were also concerned about infection into his joint.

He had it flushed out at home and while there was a lot of deliberating about sending him to Liverpool, the vet opted not to immediatly but said ANY sign of lameness or infection would mean he needed immediate referral.

The leg was heavily bandaged (looked like a break) and we were told to leave the dressing alone. The vet came out daily to change it and monitor the wound. He was on box rest and a lot of anti-bis.

That continued for about 2 weeks before we were told he could start going out (still bandaged).

The bandages stayed on rather a long time but the wound healed 100% and within 6 weeks he was back in work.

However as i said, the tendon itself wasnt damaged and the aftercare the vet carried out to try and watch for infection was very very strict.

Hope it goes well for you.