"The vet put her out and tied a rope around her hind legs and pulled her out with a pick up truck. "...

I have a horse that is 12 years old and I had her bred. The vet went to check to see if she took and as they had her in the stalks to check her, she freaked out and tried to jump out of the stall and it tipped over with her in it and she tried to climb through the stall and she got stuck. The vet put her out and tied a rope around her hind legs and pulled her out with a pick up truck. Ever since then her hind legs have been swollen. One of her hind legs swelled up all the way up her leg to the top of her rump. That is better now, but she is still sollen up to her hock. What part of her anatomy seems to be affected? Is there anything I need to do to get it better?

Dr. Kimberly Gryl's Answer:

Marcus:

I am so sorry to hear of your ill fortune. The scenario that happened to you is one of the worst nightmares for a veterinarian. Stocks are the safest way to preg-check a mare, and most mares do fine, but there are some that over-react, as yours did. Because of the horse's large size, it is difficult to easily move them. It sounds like your veterinarian did what he determined to be the right thing at the time. Despite all the best care, a large amount of stress to the pregnant mare may cause her to abort.

That said, the swelling can be cold-hosed 3 times daily, for 15 minutes each time. Low-key, low-impact exercise (walking) will help to keep her from stiffening up too much and becoming more sore. Massage, if she will tolerate it, will help to drain the excess swelling (if it is fluid), and anti-inflammatories will aid in swelling and pain reduction. The leg below the hock is tendons and ligaments, and joint pouches. These may or may not reduce in size, depending on specific injuries to each one.

Regardless of these guidelines, make sure that you are following your veterinarian's advice and instructions. He/she is the best one to make the call for your mare, and is the treating doctor. In the future, you may want to ask the veterinarian to sedate your mare before any procedures like this one.

Good luck.

Kimberly A Gryl DVM

"I have a horse that for over three months has been a little sore over his sole."...

Not sore at the heal or middlee third of frog like "Navicular". His sole is not hard. It is not flaky but is soft. Does not seem to harden or grow out. Could there be some cause for this. Never seen this before.

Thanks Jason

Dr. Kimberly Gryl's Answer:

Jason:

Some horses have softer feet, and need to be supported for this. Your horse may be one of those who cannot go barefoot. Shoeing will usually remedy the sole tenderness, unless of course you are riding on rough ground. If he is already shod, you may try a sole toughener or paint. Also, the basis of every good foot is good nutrition. Regardless of what diet your horse eats, a hoof supplement is usually helpful in promoting a better, stronger hoof to grow.

Hope this helps.

Kimberly A Gryl DVM

"I feel sick inside for the mistakes that were made with this horse. Is there anything else I can do to help clear this up and ease his discomfort?"...

Dr. Gryl,

Thanks for your response to me a few weeks ago about the gelding with a sore on his withers (fistulous withers or a nasty saddle sore?)

He was healing beautifully until we put his winter blanket on. It was an awful thing to do, since there must have been an open spot or crack in the wound that's allowed bacteria to enter from the blanket. We pulled it off a day later, and have since found heat in the area as well as redness and swelling. It's obviously infected. We've been rinsing the area with cold water for 10 mins daily, as well as keeping the wound clean and protected with a softening lanolin creme. The area around the wound is hot to the touch but mobility doesn't seem to be decreased.
He is currently getting a shot of 35ml penicillin daily (on day 2.) To date there has been no improvement and the swelling has gone down, but the heated area has increased. Also, the scab has fallen off and it looks like a blood blister underneath it. No pus yet. Appetite is good, eyes are clear, no sign of fever or lethargy.
I feel sick inside for the mistakes that were made with this horse. Is there anything else I can do to help clear this up and ease his discomfort?

Thanks,

Jill

Dr. Kimberly Gryl's Answer:

Jill:

I'm glad to hear that he was recovering, but sorry to hear of the relapse. It sounds like you are proceeding appropriately with the therapy. I suggest that you try to find a blanket with a more open withers, if you haven't already. These usually are "cut out", so that there is no coverage of the withers whatsoever. Also, you might try a type of underwear for blankets. These are very thin, slick, and tight-fitting, and usually cover only the shoulders/armpit, and have a "girth" (velcro) to hold them in place. Or, you could try a slinky (or sleezy), but make sure that it covers the withers. These will usually fit tight enough that there will be little to no motion, and they are slick enough that blankets just glide right over them, minimizing or eliminating pressure sores.

Hope this helps.

Kimberly A Gryl DVM

"My 16yo gelding has just developed slight swelling on coronet bands of all four feet."...

Slightly more pronounced on the front two. There is no heat and he is not lame. He is in great condition, turned out daily. The only two changes , moved to a new barn a week ago, and new introduction to hay. What do you think would be possible cause?

Dr. Kimberly Gryl's Answer:

Susan:

Without any lameness or other soreness, and without a physical exam, I am not sure I can say a lot about your horse's swollen coronet bands. It could be that he is slightly stocking up in all 4 feet, and you are just seeing this. He may have an unusual presentation of some type of allergy to his new environment (ie., new shavings or straw). Just continue to monitor him, and of course have him evaluated immediately if any lameness occurs.

Good luck.

Kimberly A. Gryl DVM

"My horse had a run in with some wire, so on the one side of his hoof from the coronet band to the heel and some hoof are gone,"...

He is still walking good. My question is would white lotion be good for it? Also to let you know the sole is comming back.

Dr. Kimberly Gryl's Answer:

Lea:

I am not familiar with white lotion, and thus do not know what it is used for. However, you should have him shod with an eggbar shoe and have your farrier "float" the heel, to protect the foot and enable new growth in as regular a manner as possible. A hoof supplement may help him grow a stronger foot.

Good luck.

Kimberly A. Gryl DVM

"I have a 15 yr old Paint pleasure Mare that goes lame on the left side after she warms up."...

She has no swelling or heat in any of her legs. I ran race horses for years and dealt with alot of lameness however I can't determine what her problem could be. I would appreciate any help you could give.

Dr. Kimberly Gryl's Answer:

Lisa:

A lameness exam with nerve blocks should be able to localize her problem, and x-rays and/or ultrasound should follow for a deeper "look" into the cause(s) of her lameness. Until then, do not ride her, as this is obviously causing her pain.

Good luck,

Kimberly A. Gryl, DVM

"Is it normal for a horse to lose some uterine blood 2-3 days after foaling"...

Dr. Kimberly Gryl's Answer:

Maria:

You may be seeing your mare expel some residual blood that was in the vaginal vault, or that was pooling in the uterus. Sometimes they will have a blood vessel burst during foaling, and if blood clots are broken up, you will see small amounts of bleeding. Stagnant blood is an excellent place for bacteria to grow, so you should consider having your veterinarian check your mare if the bleeding continues, either steadily or intermittently.

Good luck,

Kimberly A. Gryl, DVM

"...and this time she is two weeks overdue "...

I have an 8 year old qh mare (two previous foals pretty much on time no problems) and this time she is two weeks overdue - doing everything right - udder bagged up (no wax) - vagina very sloppy and fat and elongated - big belly - my vet said I should get him to check her but I don't want to interfere if I don't need to - how long should I wait before getting the vet to check her - don't want internal in case it causes problem...etc. - earlier delivery - everything seems fine just overdue? Thanks from Australia.

Dr. Jack Sales' Answer:

Hi Julie,

I agree that if everything looks normal you should have a little patience and give a little more time before any exam might be necessary. Sometimes going over can be seen in the mare that might be carrying twins. They can also foal early. Foaling later than expected could help allow the fetus to develop a little more. As soon as you notice anything abnormal be sure and call your Vet, otherwise, I wouldn’t think you need to have her checked unless she goes over 4 weeks late. I hope this helps and good luck. Dr. Sales

"How do I treat fluid on the knee in a 10-year-old gelding? "...

I don't know how long it's been like that, he isn't noticeably lame, but shows a little stiffness after flexion test. Thanks.

Dr. Jack Sales' Answer:

Hi Michelle,

Excess joint fluid in the knee usually indicated a problem within the joint itself. X-rays should be done to determine the exact cause and then the appropriate treatment could be undertaken. I hope this helps and good luck. Dr, Sales

"..She started to limp about 8 weeks ago  "...

I have an 18yr. old quarter horse/Arabian.  She started to limp about 8 weeks ago.  I first had the farrier out to check her feet.  I t is her right front foot.  He checked her and found nothing, but went ahead and put shoes on her front feet.  I then had the vet out.  She has no visual signs, no swelling, no founder, no heat, and no abscesses.  The vet said rest and give her some butte.  Now it's two months from the first limp and she still has not improved.  To day she was worse than ever.  Any suggestions?  I'm worried sick.

Dr. Jack Sales' Answer:

Hi Jo,

It sounds as if your horse has a chronic lameness that will require more diagnostic tests in order to determine exactly what the cause is. With the age factor I would suspect something that might be related to an arthritic change in one of the joint areas. Since there was no heat, or swelling it could be very possible that the navicular area might be involved. This is something that causes pain in the heel and can be a very common cause of lameness in horses over 15 years of age. Diagnostic blocking of the involved lame leg followed by x rays would be the method of diagnosis of this or many other possible causes of the lameness. I hope this helps and good luck. Dr Sales