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| My horse was injured about 2 weeks ago in a freak accident that sliced open the bursa on the point of her hock. She was 3 legged lame at time of injury. I took her immediately to a top notch equine hospital for treatment. She has been there for two weeks. The injury was treated aggressively with DLP and initially she showed marked improvement. The wound then showed areas of necrosis that had to be removed and flushed with more DLP. Since then, she is at a standstill. She is receiving cold water therapy 4x daily and still grade 3-4 lame. Latest US showed no areas of necrosis, but there was slight disruption to the superficial flexor tendon fibers. The vet didn't say whether he thinks the tendon is now the issue or not. He just feels like there is tremendous inflammation to the area that they are trying to keep under control. He does not feel it's an infection, but more just inflammation.
Any suggestions on additional therapies? I do not have major medical on her so all her expenses are out of pocket and they are adding up significantly. I'm sure my next conversation with the vet will be whether to move forward with more treatments or consider the worst possible case of having to put her down.
My heart is breaking for this super sweet mare. Friendly advice appreciated :)
Edited by darchick 2015-12-18 1:13 PM
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
 
Location: North Dakota | What is your hope for this mare after this injury? Be able to carry a baby?
If that is the case-as old school as it sounds-maybe she should be casted for a little while? Not even sure it would be possible-as I think about where this injury is-casting may not be possible-if its the lower hock it might be enough to get her healed up. It's going to be a long hard battle and sometimes no matter how much they mean to us-there really might not be anything you can do. Sorry for having to deal with this-it stinks. |
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  The Original Cyber Bartender
Location: Washington | Contact SG here on BHW she has a great new line that could help your horse.  |
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 Living on the edge of common sense
Posts: 24138
Location: Carpenter, WY | JMO but if it's only been 2 weeks since her injury and she isn't getting any worse I'd sure give her alot more time before I decided to put her down. Shoot, a simple splinter on a human takes a week to heal.
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 Love Me Some Robert Redford
Posts: 2335
Location: WV | So sorry  |
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Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | If the inflammation is truly most of the issue-how about ice boots? OR I do hear good things about the magnetic therapy that was also mentioned. Cold water therapy is good but I would htink intense icing for set periods of time 6-8 times a day would be much better and then put the magnets on in between.....would be worth a try I would think. |
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Expert
Posts: 3514
| Laser therapy, magna cu hock wrap and Curost supplement. |
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Expert
Posts: 4652
| This Bob at THE we-mail me and let's talk and I migt be able to help your horse.
hlthenh@aol.com |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 999
Location: Sunny So Cal | Laser are wonderful and do great when it comes to healing. I would also start giving NutraWOUND and maybe try some ThiamOxide. ThiamOxide is a topical that was originally made for neuropathies so it will help with the pain and inflammation. Sending you prayers and positive vibes. I wouldn't give up yet. It's always darkest right before dawn. |
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 Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | If there is no infection then half your battle is won.. Id give her more time.. possibly take her home to save you money and do home care.. my gelding fractured both his hocks and it took a good 8 months to heal and then was slowly back in low level training..good luck.. |
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Location: U.S. | I agree if you are fighting inflammation ice is your friend! (a cheap, pain in the but friend)
I am praying for you and your mare! |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| There is a drug called Palesine, that is administered specifically to the affected area to erradicate inflammation, my vet has used this a few times on horses, one had inflammation in the joint, the other tore the joint capsule right out of the joint, both returned to barrel racing sound.
Other things that could be done is flush the joint with salaine approx 4 hours to get rid of all the proteins the inflammatory process leaves behind that destroys the joint. Then inject with HA no steroids, this will also reduce inflammation.
For the tendon, there is a product called a-cell, it is generic stem cells costs 200/bottle, does the exact same thing as the real deal, have used both had success with both. This can only be used at a certain time of healing, if the fibres are disorganized don't do it, the fibres need to be organized to reduce complications and scar tissue.
Biggest thing you need to do is reduce inflammation. |
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 Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | Bob - 2015-11-23 3:59 PM
This Bob at THE we-mail me and let's talk and I migt be able to help your horse.
hlthenh@aol.com
Yes contact Bob. He has helped so many horses. THE supplements work wonders and have a money back guarantee. If you are on facebook, here are some pictures of my colt that tore all the hide off his chest. I gave him NutraWOUND and later ThiamOxide. https://www.facebook.com/krystal.harrispeterson/media_set?set=a.1020... |
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Miss Not Exciting
Posts: 3279
Location: Ft Worth TX | A hard learned lesson for me, time and TLC heals all. |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | Bob - 2015-11-23 5:59 PM
This Bob at THE we-mail me and let's talk and I migt be able to help your horse.
hlthenh@aol.com
I would do this ASAP as well as other suggestions on here. |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Please let us know how things are progressing. Sending prayers your way for your girl
Edited by Chandler's Mom 2015-11-23 11:17 PM
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| Thanks for all the great replies!
I'm still awaiting an update from the vet today. What really stinks is that I'm 6 hours away from her, so I haven't laid eyes on her since I left her.
I've been through this before with another horse and after thousands of dollars at the vet, multiple therapies, 10 straight months on stall rest, and lifelong special shoeing, I still have a lame horse. That was 3 years ago, but I have gotten 2 nice babies out of her thus far.
Cheryl, I can not find any info on the anti-inflammatory you mentioned. The Palesine?? Is that the correct spelling?
Also, what's the best ice boots for the hock area? The vet doesn't feel like the joint is affected. It's just the bursa and possibly the tendon.
I will give Bob a call after I talk to the vet. |
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 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | Bibliafarm - 2015-11-23 5:13 PM
If there is no infection then half your battle is won.. Id give her more time.. possibly take her home to save you money and do home care.. my gelding fractured both his hocks and it took a good 8 months to heal and then was slowly back in low level training..good luck..
I think this is very sound advice. It certainly won't hurt to try all these other things, but the most important is patience and perseverance. Two weeks isn't very long. "Inflammation" is part of the normal healing process. The most potent "antiinflammatory" agent available is steroids, and we wouldn't give steroids to a human for this kind of injury. Shouldn't be any different for a horse. Again, for any injury like this, inflammation is normal and even essential for the healing process. Be patient. It will probably take quite some time. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| darchick - 2015-11-24 8:55 AM
Thanks for all the great replies!
I'm still awaiting an update from the vet today. What really stinks is that I'm 6 hours away from her, so I haven't laid eyes on her since I left her.
I've been through this before with another horse and after thousands of dollars at the vet, multiple therapies, 10 straight months on stall rest, and lifelong special shoeing, I still have a lame horse. That was 3 years ago, but I have gotten 2 nice babies out of her thus far.
Cheryl, I can not find any info on the anti-inflammatory you mentioned. The Palesine?? Is that the correct spelling?
Also, what's the best ice boots for the hock area? The vet doesn't feel like the joint is affected. It's just the bursa and possibly the tendon.
I will give Bob a call after I talk to the vet.
No that isn't the right spelling. The drug is spelled palosein also known as a orgotein.
It is not used much any more, my vet has a special import permit from Europe to bring the drug in. It costs about the same as a HA injection.
Edited by cheryl makofka 2015-11-24 9:34 AM
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| Just spoke with the vet. He is sending me a video of her walking. He says she is still pretty lame, but he says she is improving "slightly." He still feels like it is not infection, just inflammation at a very sensitive area of the hock. However, they still have her on antibiotics. She was on Bayril and they've switched her to Excede. He says they are slowly weaning her off her anti-inflammatories (bute and prevacoxx, although I know they gave her steriods at some point), but want to continue her cold salt therapy 4x daily at least through the end of this week, and hopefully she will improve a little each day.
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | Time is your friend....something like this will take months not weeks to improve...good luck...m |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Bear - 2015-11-24 9:16 AM Bibliafarm - 2015-11-23 5:13 PM If there is no infection then half your battle is won.. Id give her more time.. possibly take her home to save you money and do home care.. my gelding fractured both his hocks and it took a good 8 months to heal and then was slowly back in low level training..good luck.. I think this is very sound advice. It certainly won't hurt to try all these other things, but the most important is patience and perseverance. Two weeks isn't very long. "Inflammation" is part of the normal healing process. The most potent "antiinflammatory" agent available is steroids, and we wouldn't give steroids to a human for this kind of injury. Shouldn't be any different for a horse. Again, for any injury like this, inflammation is normal and even essential for the healing process. Be patient. It will probably take quite some time.
I agree with what Bibs and Doc are saying here, I went threw a horrible time with my gelding in 07 . Time and patience is the key words here... |
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Member
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| Don't give up, you hear of horses that are on stall rest of 9=10 months depending on injury. Once infection is ruled out, I would try and get her home. I would looking into magnets, laser, acupuncture, along with what others have posted. But just getting her home, and back into what is familiar to the horse Will be good for her. Hang in there. time is on your side! |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | darchick - 2015-11-24 10:25 AM
Just spoke with the vet. He is sending me a video of her walking. He says she is still pretty lame, but he says she is improving "slightly." He still feels like it is not infection, just inflammation at a very sensitive area of the hock. However, they still have her on antibiotics. She was on Bayril and they've switched her to Excede. He says they are slowly weaning her off her anti-inflammatories (bute and prevacoxx, although I know they gave her steriods at some point), but want to continue her cold salt therapy 4x daily at least through the end of this week, and hopefully she will improve a little each day.
News today?? |
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Expert
Posts: 1586
Location: west of East Texas | I just went through this too. Mine did go through the infected bursa and torn tendon. The cut was on march 3rd and the torn tendon happened on June 1st. She threw a fit in the stall after being kept up for 3 months and tore the tendon. She spent most of the first 4 months with the vet. In August's xrays, Dr. Honnas said take her home and let time be her friend... probably a year. Stall rest was not an option to me as that is how she tore the tendon, she's not happy locked up. She started on THE Nutrawound in mid-July. In November, she was acting so full of herself I took her in for a check up on 11/10. Honnas said saddle her up and see what happens. I've ridden her several times and she exercises herself as hard as a real workout. This was all out of my pocket too but this mare was worth it and I'm glad I've spent the money on her. I have strong hopes that she'll be running again by March. |
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 Keep those crap slapping tails away!
Posts: 8871
Location: Around here somewhere... | teehaha - 2015-11-23 3:19 PMJMO but if it's only been 2 weeks since her injury and she isn't getting any worse I'd sure give her alot more time before I decided to put her down. Shoot, a simple splinter on a human takes a week to heal.
This. I had one get cut up so badly that it took 9 months to heal. I thought I'd never ride her again, but she came back sound, just not as fast as she was before. The best treatment that jumpstarted her healing again was shock wave therapy.
Edited by Blaundee 2015-11-27 8:02 AM
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| The mare appears to be improving!!! They sent a video to me Wednesday night that had me in tears because of her lameness. The next day they sent me a new video that showed marked improvement and I cried tears of joy!!! She is going to stay there until the end of this week to continue the cold therapy. I've talked to Bob and I plan to start the Nutrawound asap. I'm continuing to pray for a full recovery!! I appreciate everyone's advice!  |
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| Got my mare home after 5 weeks at the vet. She is stable, but has a long way to go.
I'm looking for success stories or words of encouragement, as right now I'm feeling defeated. Any creative ways to ice the hock and cover the point of the hock??
She is still very lame and has significant heat and swelling at the point of the hock. She's on previcox daily and bute if she needs it. I'm also cold hosing. The wound is mostly healed, but the swelling is significant.
I'd post a pic, but I don't know how.
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| You can find an ice hock boot, I think Sneider's Saddlery had one for around $35. I have rigged a human knee brace for icing hocks before. I have also iced with a regular ice boot-put it around the hock then a running boot below it to hold it in place. I iced while eating a big flake of alfalfa so they would not move around too much. Good luck with your mare, they can overcome the odds. I have a gelding that was given less than a 19% chance of recovering from a severely torn suspensory and he came back 100% sound. |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| I have an Ice Horse which will wrap around anything. |
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Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | rodeomom3 - 2015-12-15 8:34 PM You can find an ice hock boot, I think Sneider's Saddlery had one for around $35. I have rigged a human knee brace for icing hocks before. I have also iced with a regular ice boot-put it around the hock then a running boot below it to hold it in place. I iced while eating a big flake of alfalfa so they would not move around too much. Good luck with your mare, they can overcome the odds. I have a gelding that was given less than a 19% chance of recovering from a severely torn suspensory and he came back 100% sound.
this ^^^ |
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| We've had a set back since I got her home Saturday.
She has a full fledged infection of the tendon sheath confirmed with ultrasound today. It's been opened for draining and she's on 3 different antibiotics.
Prayers we can overcome this setback. |
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Location: WI | darchick - 2015-12-18 1:14 PM
We've had a set back since I got her home Saturday.
She has a full fledged infection of the tendon sheath confirmed with ultrasound today. It's been opened for draining and she's on 3 different antibiotics.
Prayers we can overcome this setback.
Prayers!
I have been in this situation for a possible infection in the tendon sheath. I ended up doing surgery to get it cleaned and luckily it didn't get into the joint and my mare made a full recovery and is 100%. The injury itself wasn't near as extensive as yours sounds to be though - This was just a tiny puncture wound on a back ankle that turned into an infection. I hope you have good luck like I did! |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| darchick - 2015-12-18 1:14 PM
We've had a set back since I got her home Saturday.
She has a full fledged infection of the tendon sheath confirmed with ultrasound today. It's been opened for draining and she's on 3 different antibiotics.
Prayers we can overcome this setback.
I had one who had an infected tendon sheath, the vet had to go in three consecutative days and scrape the infection out. 2 months later, I was legging her back up, I was running her 6 months later and she was placing in the 1d, sold her to a kid in high school rodeo and was placing in barrels her first year. She turns so hard the kid ended up falling off a few times the second year, so I ended up getting her back, that leg has never caused her trouble. |
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| My vet didn't mention surgery or anything today? He just opened it up and flushed it and then started systemic abx. I hope that was enough
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| Ug ... this whole story is heartbreaking. I'm sorry you're going through it.
A couple thoughts -
Contact Bob at THE. Their products work and work really well to support and speed healing.
Someone else mentioned laser therapy - but what I think they meant is red light therapy. I highly recommend the revita vet system. They are specifically made with the correct wave length for deep tissue problems - ie tendons, tendon sheaths, etc. I have seen them work on my hauling pals' mare when she nicked a tendon. Also, they are PROVEN with peer reviewed journal articles to work. I am more than willing to share the articles I have stored away ... They are worth the money and not hard to use at all.
Good Luck and lots of thoughts n prayers ya all make it through this tough spot!
ETA - Doc and others are correct, TIME is going to be your friend with all this.
Edited by lindseylou2290 2015-12-18 3:52 PM
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| When y'all refer to surgery, are you talking about general anesthesia MAJOR surgery? Or standing sedation type surgery?
I would like to post photos but have no idea how?? There used to be directions somewhere, but now I can't find them?? Can someone post the directions or the link? |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | I'm of no help on anything but the praying, so ill do that
Edited by Chandler's Mom 2015-12-19 3:34 AM
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Expert
Posts: 3514
| I would try the Respond Laser. Treat around the opening. If you need to treat on it wrap the laser head with a plastic bag. Then treat over the wound. Also I would try the Cur Ost Products. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| darchick - 2015-12-18 10:49 PM
When y'all refer to surgery, are you talking about general anesthesia MAJOR surgery? Or standing sedation type surgery?
I would like to post photos but have no idea how?? There used to be directions somewhere, but now I can't find them?? Can someone post the directions or the link?
Mine, the surgery was knock her out and strap her to the table. I believe the first time in, they intubated her, I believe the surgery time was 30 min.
The other times to my knowledge they didn't intubated her and the surgery time was 5 min. It took her longer to recover from the anesthetic. |
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Seriously injured horse-UPDATED AGAIN 12/18