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Discussion on Hock Infection!
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New Member:
dan4th1
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 17, 2009 - 8:21 pm:
Doc, please help! I have a 4 mo old colt that was kicked in the hock 4 weeks ago with a puncture wound. We started him in 5 SMZ's x2 daily for 3 weeks. Hock is still swollen, able to squeeze "cottage cheese", out of it. The last week he has been on 5 SMZ's, 7 Metronidazol 500 mg, 3cc Banimine x 2 daily. I had him re exrayed & joint fluid tested today. He has a small bone chip & severe infection in his hock. Recommendations were to put him down by 2 of the best leg vets in the state. Is there ANYTHING else I might can try. Please, I've raised him and don't want to put him down.
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New Member:
rg77
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 17, 2009 - 9:49 pm:
Hi Lisa, Im really sorry to hear about your colt. Before Dr.O responds, you might be able to add a little info on where the bone chip was. Was it articular (part of a joint)? Is it the chip the vets are most concerned with, or the infection?
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New Member:
dan4th1
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 18, 2009 - 8:32 am:
It is the infection they are most concerned about. They gave a slim chance of clearing the infection, with a high % that he would always be lame. They told me the chip could be removed if it wasn't for the infection. I feel like I'm asking for a miracle.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 18, 2009 - 8:54 am:
Welcome Lisa,
I am so sorry to hear about your plight. I am assuming by the veterinarians recommendations that the infection is in the tibiotarsal - proximal intertarsal joints and not confined to the two distal hock joints, distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints. If you are uncertain double check this information because if my assumption is wrong it could change everything.
The veterinarians have given you a grave prognosis and I agree given the above assumptions. Intrarticular infection in mobile joints over 24 to 72 hours old almost invariably results in osteoarthritis and permanent lameness.
Unless a permanently crippled horse is an acceptable outcome I too would make this recommendation. If this is an acceptable outcome the best treatment is daily lavage with a antibiotic the infection is sensitive to. For more on this see the article on joint sepsis associated with this forum.
DrO
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