swollen leg

[chysun]

My seven month old foal has a near rear swollen leg i have tried hosin it to no avail she is not lame and the leg has stayed swollen for four days advice pleeease !!!!

[Clanad]

Be sure to check with your Vet, but also be sure to check the affected leg's hoof. If she'll let you, raise the foot and clean the bottom thoroughly with a hoof knife looking for a nail hole or other damage. It's unlikely the swelling is caused by such injury, but it's always good to look. Inspect the area of the swelling thoroughly as well, looking for injury under the hair. Sometimes a wire scratch will cause swelling... but at any rate, call your Vet. Best of luck!

[chysun]

Thanks i will let u no she is very good and will lift her leg but only for a second balance isnt her best trait on checking again this morn there is nothin obvious she isnt even sore pokin the leg which worries me more cant get the vet till end of the week have kept her out but didnt seem to help so kept her in last nite and no change dont no which is worse in or out ??

[Noweia]

Maybe keep her out where she can't hurt herself. Moving around may help get the swelling down again.

[chysun]

She was out and have no idea where she has got hurt, kept her in last nite and the minute i let her out this morn she started to cough oviously from being in shes used to the air !! but took off like the hammers of hell not great for her !! suppose thats horses 4 u !

[Clanad]

It can help in diagnosis, at least with our cow ponies here in the western U.S., if you'll obtain the foal's temperature and herat rate. The temperature can be taken rectally and should be between about 99.7 and 101.4 degrees F. Take the temperature twice... once in the morning and once in the late afternoon to preclude the possibility of biphasic fever (a spike in temp later in day, your Vet would want to know that). A word of caution... the standard rectal thermometer used on humans is rather short in length. It will work just fine, but don't lose it in the horse! Hold it snugly with a rubber gloved hand (not vinyl, they're too slick).
Take the horses pulse rate. I find it easiest to locate a good pulse just beneath the jaw in the soft area. It should be around 40 to 45 beats per minute. You could also try taping the thermometer to the swollen area of the leg to see if it's hot. If you do this cover the thermometer with a clean cloth on the side not taped to the horse. It'll give you an approximation to see if the swelling is infected.
If walking doesn't appear to hurt her, be sure to exercise her a couple of times a day for at least 30 minutes each time.

My guess is she may have gotten kicked. But that's just a guess... Best of luck!

[chysun]

lots of great advice there clanad much appreciated will keep u updated its just my luck i know thats horses but she was doin so well and i worry prob too much about her as have had her from birth . shes mad as hatter but very loveable. thanks again.

[chysun]

happy new year to you and thanks again