Thoughts/advice sought.

[FTM]

The other day my horse came in from the field with a cut on his leg. About an inch long, half a cm wide and fairly deep. Doesn't require stitching or anything, however. There was no heat and he wasn't lame. Gave it a clean and stuck some flamazine on it. Anyway, this morning when I went to put him out his leg had swollen. It was a bit warm. Put him in the field hoping the movement would help clear it up. It did, however his leg is actually slightly hotter. I'm assuming it's a little infected. I don't want to spend £70 getting the vet out so I can get a few sachets of Norodine though. Many wouldn't agree, but it's ridiculous.

Does anyone have any ideas/experiences/tips on dealing with it without going down that route?

 

[Izzwizz]

I would have bathed with warm salt water and covered with Dermagel, an anti bacterial gel. The last time I used Flamazine was for mud fever so a little confused there. It does sound like its infected so unfortunately, I think its a vet job. Not worth risking it worsening and turning into something nasty. I wouldnt risk it anyway.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Well, you could send your query to "Ask Papafrita". Did you see her agony aunt column on the Forum a few months ago? Pity it's not a regular thing. She would probably advise as follows: "

Dear FTM - Just because your horse's leg has a deep cut and is inflamed and infected of course you don't need the vet or antibiotics. The best way to deal with this sort of injury is to ride the horse out on long, long hacks with plenty of galloping. If the leg swells and the horse becomes lame, just put him in a field where you can't see him hopping about. He'll be fine."

For god's sake get the vet!

 

[riding_high]

if you've got a good relationship with your vet then give them a call and ask for advice, be honest with them and they may be able to prescribe something over the phone, however if they feel they should come out then let them.

sounds like there might be an infection or something.

 

[AmyMay]

I don't want to spend £70 getting the vet out so I can get a few sachets of Norodine though. Many wouldn't agree, but it's ridiculous.

Better than several hundred after the leg has become infected - which it sounds as if it may have.

The type of injury you describe can often cause the most trouble - indeed my own horse had a similar injury which racked up a bill of around £600 because of it's depth and proximity to a tendon sheeth.

So my advice would be spend the £70 wisely - on the vet.