Lame-swollen ankles and legs-help

dsmelnic · Postby **dsmelnic** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 5:18 pm

Two weeks ago-I notice my mare with swollen ankles and legs. One of her hooves had and abcesses-which was treated and seems to be doing good. I put her on peniccillin and she got better. She eating and alert-but her ankles and legs again appear to be swollen again like she has goit. She has a white discharge coming out of her vagina-if this helps. She losing weight fast. Has anybody ever seen this-all her four legs look like ballons.

Tiz · Postby **Tiz** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 7:15 pm

Call the vet, sooner then later.

Mood Swings · Postby **Mood Swings** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 7:18 pm

I agree with Tiz. I'd say some bloodwork would be a good start.

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 8:53 am

Does she have a fever? How big was the abscess? I hope you have not got a generalizd infection on your hands (strep, staph, etc.) and that if that possibility exists you have implemented quarantine procedures.

dsmelnic · Postby **dsmelnic** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 12:10 pm

One of her front hooves-near the frog started to ooozzz puss-and I'm scared that the cleaniliness of the enviroment she is in-has caused the infection. I was scared of founder-but she seems ok. I going to try and keep things clean til I can see the vet thursday-plus shes on antibiotics and bute. Hope this helps.
Thanks for your posts.

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 12:45 pm

For immediate relief, pick out the affected hoof and pick out all the dead stuff around where it is oozing. Soak the hoof in warm water and epsom salts for 15-20 mins. Take the foot and press around where the oozing was to see how much puss there is. If you have a hoof knife, you can dig around a bit. Take a syringe (no needle) and sluice some Betatine into the void where the puss was. Let it drain out. Pack over it with sugar mixed with Furazone, followed by cotton batting to fill the bottom of the hoof. Wrap the whole hoof with a vetwrap. Change daily.

Sometimes when a field horse is brought in for treatment, the lack of movement causes the other legs to stock up. It could be that simple.

nythoroughbredvz · Postby **nythoroughbredvz** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 1:01 pm

i had this same problem as far as swellind and feet absess, get your farrir to dig this out i applied bag balm also a few times. and kept her on antibiotics. also i soaked her leg in epson salt as per advice from here! (thank you every one) keep on top of it! goodluck

Intrinsic Worth · Postby **Intrinsic Worth** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 2:59 pm

I hope it isn't cellulitis. I would definitely keep tabs on her temp.

tbrace · Postby **tbrace** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 5:02 pm

I agree with Madelyn,

And, if its wet, put duct tape over the vet wrap when you do it up.

Laurierace · Postby **Laurierace** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 12:38 pm

I know this is a semi old post, but none of you were concerned about the vaginal discharge? That would have been my first concern, making me worry that she has some sort of infection that has gone systemic making her legs swell, and that she is losing weight because she is so sick. I hope the mare is ok now.

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:34 pm

madelyn wrote:Does she have a fever? How big was the abscess? I hope you have not got a generalizd infection on your hands (strep, staph, etc.) and that if that possibility exists you have implemented quarantine procedures.

This was related to the vaginal discharge. No one else seemed to ask, nor were the questions answered.

dsmelnic · Postby **dsmelnic** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:34 pm

She is doing better-Thanks to your help-I have since drained the infected area-placed her on a iodine/sugar paste-wrapped with coton and vet wrap. She was placed on Bute to help in the swelling and pain. She is doing great-all swelling is gone-she's eating like crazy-totally different horse. Thanks again for the info.