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View Full Version : He had a nail in his leg


Tootsie4U
5th Mar 2007, 01:24 AM
Thats the short story. He's recovering but we're not sure exactly how much damage has been done. We'll know more in a few days.

Long story:

Thursday AM, my barn owner called me and said my QH came out of his stall with his hind leg very swollen and he was lame. They couldnt find any evidence of a cut so assumed he knocked his leg and turned him out to walk it off. I arrived at the barn about a half hour later and pulled him out of turn out. I felt all around and also thought he just knocked it or perhaps got kicked the day before. I gave him bute and turned him back out with promise to be back later that night for more bute and cuddles. I got there at 8:00 pm and the swelling was 3x worse than in the morning. I gave him a good brushing to remove the dried mudd but still didnt see anything. At the last second, I picked that hoof up and gasped at the nail protruding from his pastern. We didnt see it on the initial checks because it was right near the ergot, well hidden from view and feel.

The vet came and pulled the nail out, gave him tetnus and left me with a page full of instructions of how to deal with this. We're not sure how he's going to recover. Best case scenario is that the nail didnt rupture any of the sacs and we're just dealing with minor infection. Worst case scenario is the sacs were ruptured and the infection spreads. If so, he'll end up going to the hospital Barboro went to.

Well wishes needed. What a champ he is. He stands and takes his shot (with a needle the size of pencil lead!) and never makes a fuss. What a great horse he is!

julia gulia
5th Mar 2007, 01:33 AM
Do you have any idea how the nail got there? Poor lad . :o What a worry for you .Good vibes coming your way! When will the vet be back out?

Kalypso
5th Mar 2007, 02:02 AM
Oh, poor boy!! All my well-wishes that this turns out well!

KarinUS
5th Mar 2007, 02:07 AM
OMG. Best wishes for Fella's quick recovery. I guess that's another case in point to not Bute unless you know what's going on. Hopefully in a few days it will all be just a memory.

bexj
5th Mar 2007, 05:26 AM
{{Hugs}} and ~~healing vibes~~ to the little fella and you. I've seen the very nasty consequences of a puncture wound that was left to fester, and believe me it wasn't pretty. Please keep us up to date with what the vet says.

Mehitabel
5th Mar 2007, 08:00 AM
poor chap! copper did something like that once, except the nail was in the bulb of his heel. it was a good 2 inches in, i have no idea where it came from or how it didn't hit something vital. hope fella has the same luck.

Montana
5th Mar 2007, 10:09 AM
How horrible for you both. Sending big healing ((vibes)) for a quick and full recovery. Keep us updated.

Tootsie4U
5th Mar 2007, 11:14 AM
I have no idea where the nail came from. There have been a few fence boards down recently... but I dont know.

The vet will be back after his course of anti-biotics.

The vet wants him on Bute, so there wasnt any issue in giving him that the first morning.

Thanks for all the well wishes. I know he appreciates it, just like I do :)

Peanut
5th Mar 2007, 11:38 AM
Poor chap and so brave. Hope he gets better soon. :)

Jessey
5th Mar 2007, 11:58 AM
Oh dear, that not nice :( (((((healing vibes and big hugs)))))))) for Fella, I will keep everything crossed that he didn't catch anything major with the nail.

J x

Gracie
7th Mar 2007, 02:16 AM
Poor pony!:(
Jingling the Curb chain for him.
I hope he feels better soon, and taking my fingers crossed.
The poor guy isn't having much luck latly is he?

LMS
7th Mar 2007, 02:26 AM
Oh poor sweety! Wishing him a speedy & uneventful recovery.

What are the things that you need to do daily to help him heal? (Thought it may be beneficial for some on here who's never had to deal with a puncture)

Tootsie4U
7th Mar 2007, 10:38 PM
What are the things that you need to do daily to help him heal? (Thought it may be beneficial for some on here who's never had to deal with a puncture)

For him, and per vet instructions, I am giving 30 cc of Penicillin twice a day to treat for infection. I've been soaking his leg in warm water mixed with betadine and epsom salts for at least 20 mins. The vet said that 20 mins was crucial. Doing it for less time was not effective and basically a waste of time. After the soak, he then gets a poultice and bandage.

Im happy to report that the Fell'er is bouncing back! The swelling is gone and he's a happy boy again! Your well wishes worked! Tx

LMS
7th Mar 2007, 11:02 PM
Thanks;)

So the sweling has come down drastically in such a short amount of time? What a relief for you both!

Glad to hear he's bouncing back. Are you able to take x-rays or something to determine if anything was damaged? Or can the vet tell by observation & palpation?

Tootsie4U
7th Mar 2007, 11:47 PM
Yes, quite happy :) Today is day 6, so his recovery was very fast!

The vet said that if, after the treatment and particularly the heavy dose of antibiotic, the swelling and infection hadn't gone away then we'd proceed with further diagnostics. And truthfully, all swelling is gone and there hasnt been any puss (sorry for the gory-ness) in the bandages now for two days! What a relief!

We will have to watch though. The antibiotic could have just supressed the infection and not fully killed it. So its a matter of time and monitoring.

Kalypso
8th Mar 2007, 01:50 AM
Glad to hear the swelling's gone down and he is getting better. I hope it has killed the infection :)

Gracie
13th Mar 2007, 12:40 AM
I've always had a soft spot for Fella & Bonfire, both remind me of the two horses I've had/have!:)
Glad to hear a happy update!