x-ray V Ultrasound

[jbramhall]

Dont want to make this post long, so basic history is

My mare had Puncture wound to the fetlock, two week course on danilon and norodine (due to getting into dirty water), finished the course beginning of the week and is now 2/10s lame, vet came back out today and has prescribed danilon and baytril until wednesday, if still swollen they want to do x-rays and if that doesnt show a ultrasound..

Now ive never had a horse with a injury, let alone one that require this amount of treatment! Im just glad i have insurance

!

Sooo, my question to you lot is, would you go for the x-rays then if that shows nothing, then ultrasound .. or would it make sense just to have a ultrasound. Im so confused, vet's giving me options but i just want the quickest answers really.

Please help !

Thankyou !

Lots of Skittles and M&M's for advice lol !

 

[only_me]

Ultrasound, i think, as that would show if any tendon damage from the puncture, or if infection is in leg.

Then x ray if ultrasound shows up nothing to see whats going on, but if your insurance allows it then go for MRI

I had my horses fetlock x rayed to see if anything serious was going on as he had a graze that wouldnt heal on the inside of the fetlock (impossible place for a cut to heal!!) but 2 courses of anti Bs healed it

X rays were clean and now on record if i ever need to sell him

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

X-rays only show really dense tissue like bone. Ultra sound shows soft tissue. So I guess it depends on what the vets are looking for. I would have thought an ultrasound would be better if they are looking for pockets of infection etc. Not sure why they'd be looking for skeletal problems unless there is a possibility that your horse damaged more than just soft tissues at the time of the original injury. If it was me, I'd get the vets back out and hide their car keys until they told you exactly what and why, in layman's terms. You're the customer!

 

[glenruby]

A puncture wound to the fetlock that is causing inflammationa dn consistent lameness warrants xray investigation - especially if it is clearly in the region of the joint. You dont say where on the fetlock the puncture wound is.
if hes still lame and swollen with heat in the fetlock then I would go ahead with xrays for joint damage - very important to rule it out as it can be very very serious, even lifethreatening. Then if those show up clear an u/s scan to check the tendon sheath (also depending on where the punctue wound is). If found/thought to be joint related, your vets may opt for a joint fluid aspirate also.

 

[jbramhall]

Sorry i havent replied sooner! been rushed off my feet !

To update, the vet came out and xrayed, the results came back clear *Big cheesey grin*

and says the swelling is just swollen tissues so hopefully in 6weeks time all should be well. Im glad she's just a two year old so should be nicely healed for future and have no complications !
Thank you all for advice !