Hi
I have a Tb gelding that cut his fetlock. I don't know how and can't find out where in the pasture he did it. It was done during the night, he also pulled his shoe at the same time.
When I saw him in the morning it was swolled and bleeding.
This was approx 4 weeks ago.
It was 1/4" deep or a little more. The cut has now filled in with new flesh and is getting smaller in length.
My concern is there is still heat around the cut and swelling in the whole fetlock. At the walk he is sound but trotting he comes up lame. I am worried that the tendon may have been hurt also.
I have been poulticing it trying to draw out any infection and the heat. I poultice for 48 hours at a time and change the wraps and poultice 3 times in that period.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what else I can do. How long will it take before he is not lame or as long as there is swelling and heat he will remain lame.
Thanks in advance.
Update to cut across fetlock
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Rubytuesday
- 2yo Maiden
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- Location: Canada
Update to cut across fetlock
Last edited by Rubytuesday on Mon Apr 02, 2007 6:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I'd get pretty aggressive. SMZ's or other antibiotics to fight infection, proud flesh powder, and draw it with DMSO packed with sugar. Too late for stitches. You will need an x-ray to make sure there is no bone involvement. Sounds like he got his leg caught in something. Go around with a magnet on a stick and see if you can find the shoe.. that's probably where he got stuck.
So Run for the Roses, as fast as you can.....
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pfrsue
- Grade III Winner
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Definitely have a vet look at that. It sounds like it's infected and needs antibiotics and a close look at the wound to make sure there's nothing in there that's preventing proper healing. (A sliver of wire for instance.) I also agree with Madelyn that x-rays might be indicated - I'd let the vet decide about that.
One thing I've never recommended is putting poultice over an open wound - to me that just introduces more chance of contamination and infection. I'd rather keep it as clean as possible and let the air get to it.
I'd definitely cold hose (a nice steady flow of water, not a spray nozzle) it several times a day to help with the heat and swelling, but a lameness issue and continued swelling after four weeks is a reg flag. It needs to be seen by a vet.
Just my two cents.
One thing I've never recommended is putting poultice over an open wound - to me that just introduces more chance of contamination and infection. I'd rather keep it as clean as possible and let the air get to it.
I'd definitely cold hose (a nice steady flow of water, not a spray nozzle) it several times a day to help with the heat and swelling, but a lameness issue and continued swelling after four weeks is a reg flag. It needs to be seen by a vet.
Just my two cents.
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Rubytuesday
- 2yo Maiden
- Posts: 83
- Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2006 4:55 pm
- Location: Canada
UPDATE
Cut has now healed over and has scabbed. There is no foul smell or weeping and edges are a nice pink colour.
He is sound at the walk and when trotted out he moves fine except on ouchy surface like rough ground or on a tighter corner.
Unfortunately there is still heat. The heat is where the wound is and around the sides of the fetlock but not at the back, and no where else on his leg just the fetlock. Swelling has gone down but still remains a small amount in the fetlock and pastern.
What is causing the heat? Would he not be lame if there was a bone chip or tendon damage? Also should I worry about this heat or is it just because he had a wound and heat is expected and it will go away eventually?
He is sound at the walk and when trotted out he moves fine except on ouchy surface like rough ground or on a tighter corner.
Unfortunately there is still heat. The heat is where the wound is and around the sides of the fetlock but not at the back, and no where else on his leg just the fetlock. Swelling has gone down but still remains a small amount in the fetlock and pastern.
What is causing the heat? Would he not be lame if there was a bone chip or tendon damage? Also should I worry about this heat or is it just because he had a wound and heat is expected and it will go away eventually?