Posted 2008-07-08 9:26 AM (#87066) Subject: Sassy's leg swollen this morning. Any ideas?
Member
Posts: 25 Location: Southern Illinois
Sassy (14 months, 800+lbs) didn't want to get up when mama went to the barn this morning, which is unusual. We finally wondered if she was just too close to the stall wall, so we actually flipped her over, which prompted her to finally get up. Once she was up, she seemed fine, she ate and then went out to graze as normal, and the stall mess was the same as always, so maybe it isn't colic. However, her lower left rear leg is swollen maybe by 50% or so: there's a couple of superficial scrapes, but nothing that looks serious. She doesn't seem to be lamed at all, just a little swollen. I called the vet and told him about all this, as well as the snake skin we found behind the barn and her swim in a pond a couple of days ago, and he didn't seem too concerned since she isn't lame and is eating. He said to give it a day and see how she does. If we need to take her in tomorrow, we'll do it. but if anyone has had experience with something like this, I'd sure like to hear whatever you'd have to say! Thanks!
Posted 2008-07-08 12:16 PM (#87079 - in reply to #87066) Subject: RE: Sassy's leg swollen this morning. Any ideas?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 303 Location: Grapeland, Texas
Do you have any bute? That would help with the swelling and you could run water over the leg a couple of times a day, that helps with the swelling also. Water is a wonderful healer.
Posted 2008-07-08 5:59 PM (#87101 - in reply to #87066) Subject: RE: Sassy's leg swollen this morning. Any ideas?
Veteran
Posts: 148 Location: South of Dallas
As longears says, water works wonders. Especially if you use a spray gun. It's like a water massage. You'd be surprised how well it works. And don't be too upset about an occasional swollen leg (that is, of course, in the absence of of other symptoms). Horses just seem to find trouble. I've got one now with a swollen leg. Just went out one moring and he had a tiny little scratch and a big ol' swollen cannon bone. No blood, no limping, not much to it but the swelling. Can't say that it didn't freak me out at first, but it's slowly going away. That baby has had so many boo-boos and so much hydrotherapy he looks forward to getting squirted down. Hope all goes well.
Posted 2008-07-08 6:38 PM (#87107 - in reply to #87066) Subject: RE: Sassy's leg swollen this morning. Any ideas?
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
I agree with your vet and posters- if she is eating and not lame, its likely not serious. Some bute, cold water and walking about will help. But watch her for signs of problems such as going off feed and/or lameness.
Posted 2008-07-08 11:08 PM (#87111 - in reply to #87066) Subject: RE: Sassy's leg swollen this morning. Any ideas?
Veteran
Posts: 294 Location: Fort Worth, Tx
If it doesn't go away on it's own, examine the leg with a bright light and look for any small bites, punctures, etc. It will probably go away though without much effort on your part. I personally would wrap both hind legs with standing bandages (to help the swelling on the one and to provide support for the other) but only do this if you are sure how, as doing it wrong can be more harm than good. Icing the leg is even better than cold water, 20 minutes at a time, no more, as longer can actually cause more swelling. If you don't have an ice boot I recommend getting one, it can be a very handy thing to have around the barn.
Posted 2008-07-09 8:44 AM (#87119 - in reply to #87111) Subject: RE: Sassy's leg swollen this morning. Any ideas?
Member
Posts: 25 Location: Southern Illinois
Sassy is a bit better this morning. We wrapped a thick rage around her ankle and Tisha kept it wet and cool by pouring water over it from a bucket. Afterwards the swelling had gone down quite a bit, and at the end of the evening, Sassy was feeling good enough to dance a little for Tisha! We now think when she laid down in the stall she was getting her leg caught between the ground and the bottom of one of the stall walls where there was a gap: the gap has been covered by a board. One more example of me looking at something after the fact and thinking, WHY didn't I notice that before! Live and learn, I guess. THANKS for all the input and encouragement!
Posted 2008-07-09 10:04 AM (#87125 - in reply to #87066) Subject: RE: Sassy's leg swollen this morning. Any ideas?
Veteran
Posts: 294 Location: Fort Worth, Tx
Doug, you can put them in a padded stall and they will still get themselves in trouble! Glad she's better, keep up the cool water treatment for a few days and sounds like all should be fine.
Posted 2008-07-10 6:45 PM (#87238 - in reply to #87125) Subject: RE: Sassy's leg swollen this morning. Any ideas?
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
When my horses coliced and my filly ended up in sugury I was upset with my self because they are sure it was the hay. It was the only common factor and I fed it to them. The suguron said you can't protect them from everything and even if you put them in a padded room to try they would eat the padding and colic.
Posted 2008-07-13 11:18 PM (#87418 - in reply to #87066) Subject: RE: Sassy's leg swollen this morning. Any ideas?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544 Location: Claxton, Ga.
If this happens to me I just rub the leg down with linement a couple of days in a row. I have had it happen to one of my horses 2 times after a thunder storm came through. I could see in his paddock where he slide down both times. He's a 24 year old goofball sometimes. I have seen the same said horse jump up to buck and through his front legs out from under himself, on the ground he went. What a goofball.....
Sassy's leg swollen this morning. Any ideas?
Glad she's better, keep up the cool water treatment for a few days and sounds like all should be fine..jpg)
