Very Lame Very Quickly

TheresaW

TheresaW

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On saturday I had a phone call from sharer to say that she had gone out on Dolly. When she went out, Doll was fine, but she started to feel a bit off so she came back. I went straight down and she was walking ok, but obviously lame in trot and was pointing her foot whilst resting. We cold hosed it while debating whether worthy of a vet visit or not. She damaged her annular ligament in the same leg last year and although I am paranoid about it happening again, I am well aware she may have just tweaked herself in the field or something. Anyway, she started to look swollen around the fetlock area, and my friend noticed a tiny little scab on the outside of her leg. This cut actually ocurred about 6/7 weeks ago, and at the time I bathed it and kept it clean with antiseptic and it didn't seem to cause any problems. We had a good look at the hole, and it was still a little open, but not smelly or hot at all. Worried about infection, I decided to call the vet. By the time the vet came (about 90 mins later), Doll was unable to weight bare and was very lame in walk. Vet examined leg thoroughly and tapped the fetlock joint as she was worried about that (fluid was fine that came out). She put the hoof testers on and felt a slight reaction at the toe. She suggested keeping her in and hot poulticing the toe which we did. I had to call her yesterday and let her know of any change. When I went down yesterday, Doll was heaps better. She was weight bearing and walking fine. Called vet and she suggested re-poulticing and seeing how she goes.

I am guessing she has an abscess probably as a result of the small cut, but shouldn't she be on antibiotics or something? She was given a shot of AB's because of risk of infection with joint tap.

Sorry for the essay, but unsure what to do for the best and hoping someone on here has been through something similar. I will be calling the vet again this morning when they open.

Oh, and just to complicate matters a little, she is meant to be off to stud tomorrow!
 
Anti b's can mask the issue so i'd avoid them until you know what the full cause is. Fingers crossed she just clouted herself and dead legged the fetlock, and it felt better next day. In my experience a foot abcess can look like a broken leg, but they don't walk easier until it bursts. But it can't hurt to poultice for the 48 hours, apart from making your back ache a bit! Best of luck x
 
Antibiotics can also stop a foot abscess from developing properly but at the same time not cure it completely. What you often find is that horse gets better on a/b and then gets worse again once they are stopped.

So your vet probably doesn't want to 'mask' an abscess by giving antibiotics, rather give it a few days to brew properly so it can be dug out.
 
Oh poor Dolly. Does this mean she isnt going to stud yet?

Hopefully it is just an abscess and it clears up quickly. Have you taken her shoes off recently for going to stud or anything like that?
 
She still has shoes on, hinds are coming off in the morning and he is going to look at her front. Vet is happy for her to go to stud still, so she will be off tomorrow as long as I get clear blood results today.
 
sound daft but does she have white fetlocks, if so what about summer mud fever??? as this can cause very very lame horses and condition can be in skin without any scabs just pinkness and hot!!!

If me if lameness in foot i always go to farrier and the on farriers advice will call vet, and then both can have play together. My farrier is very quick in saying go to vet or leave and wait and see
 
Mine is just recovering form summer mud fever and at start there was completely NOTHING to see and it foxed farrier for over hour..... next morning two very, very small patches popped up and now my horse was lame for week but complete sound now.
I reckon it that time of year.... SMF 10times more painfull than in winter
 
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