worst night of my life!!

[debonhorse]

I have just spent a very stressful 3 hours in the stabe with my beautiful 17.1 ex racehorse(on loan)(17 years old) and the horse owner and a vet!!
This morning when I turned the mare out she was fine. I didnt ride today it was her day off, at 5 oclock tonight when I went to bring her in she is lame. Her near fore from the knee down is very swollen and hot, she is lame but not totally hobbling.
I have only had this horse for 7 weeks(2nd time I had vet, 1st time was mouth ulcer) and as she hadnt been ridden for the last year, I have only been hacking her out very slowly walking and trotting, she was just starting to look fitter and was coming on great when this has happened.
The vet did the pincer tests on her hoof, but nothing seemed to bother her too much there, (which apparantly is a shame coz that would probably have been the easier to treat if she had an abcess)
The other 2 options are either cellulitis(the vet did find a small crack behind her fetlock, which may have let bacteria in. or the worst of the 3 options a strained suspensory(sp) ligament. Which he says could mean months of box rest and treatment.
Anyway, I am in tears, blubbering like a baby, the vet gave her an injection of anti biotic , 2 sachets of bute and wrapped her leg in cold compress. While the owner was out of ears reach he advised me to hand the loan horse back over to the owner as this could be a long expensive business.
I cant do that!!! I know that the owner would have her PTS as he wouldnt spend good money on an old ill horse. Am I being stupid?? how much does this treatment actually cost?? how good would her future be??(i am not into competitions etc. I just do hacking!!) what does anyone else think? I am just so upset at the moment, obviously we havnt had a clear diagnosis yet, so I may be worrying over nothing, but I just remember those vets words and the worried look on his face.
The vet is coming back at 7.45 tomorrow morning, so hopefully we will know a little more.
Any sympathy will be well accepted, but moreso I am looking for info from anyone who has been through any of the 3 options above and what it all really means in laymans terms.

 

[Skhosu]

Humm.... If its cellulitis (and I may be wrong) I don't think it is such a problem, but will take time to heal and is likely to be recurrent, however it can be serious (talking from human perspective..my dad had it and was in bed for a week).
Know nothing about ligaments TBH.
Good luck.

 

[debonhorse]

yes I know of cellulitis in humans, my brother was in hospital for 5 weeks, he has had it in both legs in 3 years, they both still look a horrible purply colour. It looks very painful too.
thanks for the luck sent, I really feel I need it right now.

 

[GTs]

I would not be ready to hand the horse back yet, if you like the horse and have the money to spend it is worth keeping the horse for a couple months, and see how things progress. Lameness can be from so many reasons, do not dread the worst.

Now if you do not have the money (I would ballpark ou will spend 1000 GBP), I would hand her back. It really is not your job to take care of the worlds problems, the owner more then likely will not put the horse down, it is a really great threat for you to deal with the problem, and pay for it.

There are many good horses out there, if this is not a quick and easy one I am sure you will find another one, it will replace this one in no time.

 

[jayvee]

I really don't know what to advise. I guess insurance is not there(?) considering age.
All I can say is either follow your heart or or head. It all depends on how you feel and what you want long term. Tough decision I know. x

 

[_OC_]

My friends cob had cellulitis and we could not even touch her had to be taken to the vets at 10pm at night she spent 2 weeks at the vets on drugs ,but, did pull through...I dealt very much that this is it,just old legs that need some TLC try not to worry as things may be different tomorrow....I'll keep my fingers crossed as with my last horse and she threw the biggest problems at me I always think it will be better tomorrow!

 

[brightmount]

I would think the majority of us on these boards have had a lame horse at one time or another. Horses do have a tiresome habit of coming in from the field on three legs. There is a multitude of reasons for lameness. Your vet seems to have narrowed it down to three: abcess, cellulitis, suspensory. They are each so different that I wonder if he has a clue at all. Obviously it needs futher investigation. Some lamenesses pass off in a few days or weeks. Others take a long period to put right. Most lamenesses due to sprains come right in the end with dedicated care, which it sounds like you would provide. Putting a horse to sleep for a sprain is a bit drastic! Is the horse insured for vets bills? They could run into the thousands if it was a ligament or tendon injury (from experience).

I should try not to panic at this stage though I know how you feel - sick probably. It's one of the trials of having horses and you will get through it. I hope for your sake it's just a minor thing. Don't be afraid to get a second opinion if you need one. My vet was treating the fetlock for 4 months before another vet found the problem was in the heel!

 

[debonhorse]

I have got her insured, its not the money that is a problem at all, whatever she needs, she will get. I think I am just in shock, it has all happened so quickly. G.T. thanks for your advice I dont think I will be handing her back to owner, he would have her PTS as that is what he was going to do if I hadnt had her out on loan. (he is an old man nearly 80) he loves his horses,(2) but is very old fashioned, and as far as he is concerned if they cannot earn their way (i.e. hacking or whatever is required) then he is not going to pay out for a horse to just be 'in the field' I have fallen for this horse more in the last 3 weeks, we seem to have bonded very well and I just couldnt think of her being PTS if she has something wrong which could be put right with time and money. Obviously I dont want to see her struggle or go through pain, just for the sake of it, but if she has got half a chance of having another 10 happy years then I will give her that chance.
I have just got to keep my fingers crossed for the morning, that the outcome is not the worse.
Is it worth getting a 2nd opinion?? Oh God, I am not going to sleep tonight, I think I may go up and sleep in the stable next to her, I am so worried.

 

[debonhorse]

OMG 4 months wrong treatment, I bet you were mad!!!

 

[seabiscuit]

I would not panic it is very early days yet. She could have just banged the leg in the field.Vets like to make dramas too for your money (as awful as it sounds.) A simple bang can make a leg blow up like this.I have had loads of these, exactly as what you describe!With mine, After a few days cold hosing leg would be absolutely fine and things would be back to normal.

I am not saying that this is what has happened,it may or may not be something serious so do not loose hope yet!

Give her a high dose of Arnica when you can(from natural health shop)- it is an excellent homeopathic remedy for bruising and inflammation (and will not upset any vet/medications!)

 

[debonhorse]

Thanks Forrest, My OH wouldnt let me sleep in stable tonight. (I spose he is right) your words have helped big time. I'm not usually such a drama queen, its just that vet looked worried!! I will let you know how I get on in the morning. fingers crossed.

 

[Bosworth]

2stroppymares, take a few deep breaths and say - vets are paid to think the worst. vets are paid to think the worst. I have never yet had an injury that is as bad as the vet says it could be. And as for the vet looking worried, he has to. Would you pay them the vast fortune they will charge if he said oh yes what a tiny cut, it will heal and the selling will go down on it's own!

Today when you go and see it as for the bst and worse prognosis. you never know t might have gone down overnight. Often the fastest apearrers are the fastest disappearers.

good luck - don't give up yet it is very early days.

 

[debonhorse]

thanks all for kind words,I am on my way to see Lixwm and the vet now. wish me luck. update will follow later.

 

[TGM]

I have experienced all 3 of your vet's possible diagnoses. Abscess would be a nice option, as although initially very painful for the horse, the condition is usually quick and simple to treat - dig out the abscess and poultice.

Cellulitis usually results in the horse not being well in themselves, as well as the lameness. My father's horse has had recurrent cellulitis and goes off his food as well as having a very swollen leg. Responded well to antibiotic treatment though.

Strained suspensory ligament is probably the worst of the 3 options. Vet will probably want to scan to see how bad the damage is. Treatment is usually box rest - period of time depends on state of damage. Trouble is that the injury can recur, but that is less likely in a gentle hacking home than when the horse is expected to race, jump etc. Treatment for my mare wasn't hugely expensive after the initial diagnosis - just a case of boxresting her. After that she was totally sound and there was no recurrence of the injury despite her continueing to XC, event etc.

Hope things work out OK for your mare.

 

[filly190]

I have read your post and really feel for you. Firstly you have bonded with her and second, she's not that old, I am still riding my 21 year old t.b.

Vets are there yes to treat animals and further to fund a business. I would look at it logically, if she does not need an operation and just medication, you get ask for the perscription and I believe there is an on line store where you can go direct with your perscription for the drugs at a fraction of the cost.

I am sorry I cant remember the site, but someone reading this post might know. There was an article in H&H about the law changing and allowing firms to provide this service. A cattle farmer friend of ours use's this service and had reduced their vets bills by thousands over the last year.

The rest of the problem is time, worst case is the horse needs a couple of months off, its winter so best time of year to be layed up.

I hope I have given a bit of helpful advise and encouragement. You must be feeling rock bottom at the moment and we have all felt like that at some stage.

Good luck, I hope you can get through this and keep your lovely horse.

 

[Tufty]

I would have the leg scanned its about £100 but well worth it at least that way you have more chance of knowing the long term diagnosis. Mine pony shattered his suspensory and he recovered and spent the rest of his days as a happy hacker, the vet did not know what it was until he was scanned.

 

[debonhorse]

Well, the vet was there dead on 7.45am (which surprised me as he is usually late) He took the bandage off and did the pincer test on the hoof again. She didnt show any signs of discomfort there, so the abcess was ruled out. she was less swollen than last night, but still a bit puffy in places. She was still a bit tender around the tendon area, but not showing a huge amount of pain. The vet then shaved the hair away from the fetlock, as he wanted to make sure that the sheath around the tendon hadnt been punctured by any sharp pine needle(eg) I had been in the woods the day before) he said he needed to shave to see better and have a better feel around. He gave that the all clear.
He dosnt think it is the suspensory as she is showing pain just above there (more the tendon area) . He is swaying to think she may have strained the sheath of the tendon.We walked around the yard, and she is actually showing less signs of lameness than last night.
He wants to scan the leg, but says we need to wait about 7 days until the swelling has gone right down. so he strapped it all up again with wet gamgee(sp) gave her another shot of anti- biotic and a bute in her breakfast and said we need to cold hose for 20 minutes tonight,inject the antibiotic ourselves tomorrow, keep her on box rest and he will be back at 8.30 on Thursday.
So in a nutshell, we have ruled out a foot ulcer, and cellulitis, we think it is a sprain/strain of either her tendon or the sheath that protects it. Time will tell.
At the end of the day, she dosnt seem to be in too much pain at all, very relaxed if anything. She wont stay in box without another horse she stresses and box walks, the owner of the other horse wont keep her in until Thursday, so the vet agreed we could put them out into small paddock fenced off, so that she wont try charging around.
I feel a little less stressed about it all, but it could still be a long hard slog to get her back to normal.(just as I was actually starting to see a difference in her fitness from walking/trotting only for the last 7 weeks)
Thankyou all for your messages of sympathy, and also advice. This is a great site isnt it?

 

[brightmount]

That all sounds like it fits, and I agree with what your vet's approach. You need to forget about the fitness you've been working on - you can get that back later. The main thing is to keep her quiet, and a small paddock may be the best thing if she won't try and jump out of it. Horses do get accustomed to box rest if they have to. Mine always used to weave in her stable until her period of box rest, then she just got used to it and stopped. Now she is turned out again, she weaves again in her stable!

Don't forget that bute will be masking the lameness. Your vet won't want to give more than necessary as pain is nature's way of saying take it easy.

You'll get through it. Most of us have been there. I took heart when my horse was lame that Toytown was at the same time - and look what happened there!!!

 

[debonhorse]

thanks Lynwood.
Well, I have just been to bring the horses in, Lixwm looks fantastic already, she isnt limping at all, so i am feeling much more positive. I cold hosed for 20 mins, and strapped her leg up again, the swelling has gone right down. Your right about the bute, vet says just to give her 1 in am/pm coz he dosnt want her to feel too comfortable and start charging around.
She is a big 17.1HH horse, so this is only a half dose twice a day for her.

I just cant wait for Thursday to come now, I am hopeful the vet will say she is on the road to recovery.(which I know may be a long slow one, but at least we are going in the right direction!!)

I also had some good news today, I have had a reply to my horse on loan wanted advert. I am going to look at a black holstein(sp)X, 16HH tomorrow, which will initialy only be on short term loan, for 3-6 months but at least it keeps me riding while Lixwm is recovering.``

Also we are pick up a shetland on Thursday so that my 5 year old son can be led out, he will also be a companion pony for Lixwm when we are riding the other 2 out.``

So every cloud does have a silver lining after all.

Thanks all for support!!

 

[Alex_kate]

if it is cellulitus dont worry, joey had it from a barely visable puncture wound and he is fighting fit now 3 weeks later

good luck got my fingers crossed for you

 

[brighteyes]

GT's would sell his granny down the road I think! Stick with the horse for now and take it each day at a time. If you have a conscience, acting on the advice of someone with less of a one will only leave you guilt-wracked and miserable. All the tough-line (and dare I say it 'sensible') advice won't change you as a person. If you were hard-hearted and rational, you wouldn't have posted in the first place! I always go with the heart and have regretted the one thing I did with my head for two years now. She obviously needs you - be there for the moment. You will know when to give up.

Good luck