Haematoma

[Roseanne]

Need advice anyone-I have posted on General list but haven't had much feedback as yet. My horse has developed a haematoma right at the top of her nearside hind thigh, close to the anus. I've had conflicting advice about exercising her, and I'm now not sure what I should do.

She wasnt kicked, but there are two tiny bite punctures in the area. Could this have been the cause? Also, the advice has been, Carry on exercising, and don't exercise her, as there might be leakaage.

Any advice or comments gratefully received.

Roseanne

[redcedar]

http://www.petalia.com.au/Templates/StoryTemplate_Process.cfm?specie=Horses&story_no=1339

I think this will , seems to be quite straight forward , no work for at least 4 days to give the broken blood vessels time to heal ......then get the vet the drain and remove the clot ....IMO if it was myhorse i'd not work it till it was sorted , just incase it started the clot to either move or enlarge .
Hope this helps

Helen x

[virtuallyhorses]

If it is a true hematoma it should not have puncture marks nor should it be drained. True hematomas generally only occur in the lower part of the body - the chest, under the belly etc - they are where internal bleeding has been drawn by gravity into a pool. The blood will eventually clot and then later be reabsorbed by the body. There is no pain with a hematoma itself as it is rarely where the injury occured (unless the injury itself is also on the low part of the body) Hematomas a not usually drained because this punctures the skin and introduces the possibility of infection which normally doesn't occur. However, when it is unclear whether a swelling is an abcess or hematoma a vet may perform a small biopsy to drain off some fluid and check what is inside. It is important that a vet does this to ensure that it is done in a sterile way and the procedure doesn't make matters worse.

If there are bite punctures and swelling this will be dealt with differently because you already have the possibility of infection and it is likely that this is not a true hematoma anyway (as this would have formed further down).

Exercise as normal and keep an eye on it for infection. Call the vet if it either doesn't subside normally or looks like it may be getting infected.

[Mareish]

Have you spoken to your vet ?

Hot / cold sponging treatment can work wonders on these but ask his advice.