Tendon Sheath Infection - urgent help sought

L

Llwyncwn

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 November 2006
Messages
3,461
Location
Muckheap
Visit site
I took one of the liveries to horsepital last Friday with a tendon sheath infection from a tiny pinprick on the back of her pastern, she was non weight bearing and very swollen. Vets gave a GA and flushed with 15 litres of something, think saline. She continued to improve and came home on Wednesday. Had a few hours turnout yesterday and today and the farrier put her shoe back on this afternoon. Tonight she is barely weight bearing and is full of heat and swelling. She still has 3 lots of antibio's to go (Norodine). I have spoken to vet who will come out in the morning and put clinic on standby for a further flush and possible scope.

I am really worried. We lost a foal last April (Magic) with what we think was a snake bite into the joint capsule. The same vets did 3 flushes on him, but the poison turned to a fibrous material and adhered to the tendon sheath and they couldnt get to the base of the sheath (navicular bone) to cleanse it.

My question is ... is this the same thing. Is it touch and go? My livery, Delyth has already lost two horses in as many years and isnt coping well. I am dealing with vets on her behalf and trying to protect her from any nasties.

Honest prognosis/opinions greatly appreciated. Also, vibes for Royal and Delyth please.

Hx
 
It might be worth looking at putting the horse at a place with a spa. Regular spa sessions will help to keep swelling down, will help reduce pain and the fact that it is salt water will help to keep the wound clean. the spa also works by osmosis to draw out any fluids/infection.
 
we had a horse with the same injury and she had surgery like your horse she was then on box rest for 8 weeks it might be reinfected due to going out to soon and some much had go into the injury
 
[ QUOTE ]

My question is ... is this the same thing. Is it touch and go? My livery, Delyth has already lost two horses in as many years and isnt coping well. I am dealing with vets on her behalf and trying to protect her from any nasties.

Honest prognosis/opinions greatly appreciated. Also, vibes for Royal and Delyth please.


[/ QUOTE ]

This sort of tendon injury IS nasty, no doubt about that. Friend of mine lost a mare with the same sort of thing - they just couldn't get the infection under control and there were complications. Having said that, I've also seen horses recover from similar injuries - but it can take time. The prognosis would HAVE to be guarded, so I wouldn't do/say anything to get the owner's hopes up too high - but I certainly wouldn't give up yet!

Good luck to all concerned - they DO like to worry us!
 
Sorry to hear about Royal i found a neighbours pony down with a similar injury puncture in the pastern a few years ago dont know what had caused it she was on box rest for about 6 weeks.
Hope its just too much too soon and things settle down again for Royal.
Thinking of you all

xxx
 
My ex boyfriends horse had an infection in his tendon sheath, and I'm pleased to say he made a full recovery, although when initially trotted up he was lame, the vet said he would therefore be permanently lame but a few months out in the field did wonders and he returned to full work.

I'll keep everything crossed for you and your horse x
 
Cat had an infected tendon sheath after a nasty encounter with barbed wire. He was at Rossdales & they flushed it & put him on some antibiotics & it all worked out okay. Back to full work, fully sound, competing bsja etc.

I think it makes a difference whether you catch it within 24 hours - if you do, 9 out of 10 horses end up fine. At the time I was frantic, but googled til I found a helpful website that explained it all.

Fingers crossed for poorly horsey.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top