When to call the vet?

[companymagic]

I hate it when you have a kick or cut that I just can't decided if it needs the vet or not. And being on my own most of the time at the yard it's really hard.

Tonight Ailsa came in and I found blood in her tail so with the head touch I searched her legs and she has a few small cuts on her back legs then a flap open on her hock. It's not massive nor really bad. But due to where it is I thought I should call the vet...

So will go back up in a mo when the vet's on the way (was at an emergency so I popped home for dinner, and it's freezing) Just hoping when the vet get's there she doesn't think I have wasted her time with a tiny graze..

It's so hard to know sometimes what to do. If in doubt I always call, but what do others do ?

Am I being a wimp? Could I have cleaned it up and just left it? I never really know...

[dalesfan]

Sounds like you've made the right call, anything round a joint is always worth being checked out. Hope everything is ok. xx

[cookie]

I agree things on the joints are better checked out.

I had similar thoughts today. My boy appears to have had an abcess or similar under his jaw. It burst urgh, and had been weeping.

Vets on the yard tomorrow anyway so booked now to see him too, cleaned it up for now.

It is very difficult, I did have a couple of people around who's experience I trust which makes it easier. I do think its best to be careful with legs and joints.

I hope Ailsa's isnt too bad though I'd always rather a wasted visit than a poorly horse.


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[pip]

I always call. I would much rather be told it is nothing than hang on and then feel bad when it needed attention. Mind, my horse's legs swell up even at the tinyist little scratch. The last time even the vet agreed that she could hardly see it, and it had barely broken the skin, but he still had a leg like a balloon.

[calekio]

Echo dalesfan. Flap of skin... still bleeding (presume still bleeding) and around the joint... i'd be wanting to double check... last thing you want is a infection in the joint..

But i know exactly what you mean! Theres been times when i've been should i.. shouldn't i... and with no-one else to help you... it can be a tough call.. i've sometimes phoned for advice to ask do they need to come out.. or will it wait till next morning depending on what it is.. (laminitis for example i'm now very familiar with.. so long as not cripplingly lame they are happy for me to bute and box rest for a day or so)

[june]

If in doubt then call the vet. If it turns out to be minor then you've wasted money on a call but that's the worst that can happen. If you don't call the vet and it turns out to be serious then its a much worse scenario than just wasting money on a call out.

[companymagic]

Thanks all I feel better I am not the only one then

Ailsa is, fingers crossed ok. She hasn't gone down to the bursa(sp) but it was a close one. It's been clipped, cleaned and has a barrier cream on it. She has had a shot of antibiotics and I will pick up a box for her tomorrow.

Vet was not annoyed said it was right to call as if it had been any worse or if it did get infected we would have been in trouble. Phew.

Ailsa on the other hand hardly notice anyone was there, Cut what cut when you have a full hay net ha ha Love my HiPo ;D

[madmare1]

on a joint, I would call a vet, except for obviously superficial wounds. Again, for deep wounds not on a joint, I would ring for advice, for instant lameness, vet is on speed dial! We have a monthly free yard visit from our vet, so we can pick his brains and anything non urgent waits for that, along with routine teeth and jabs and check ups....for serious cases, one of the practice is usually there pretty quickly....like when friends pony got a huge nail in her foot (it had been washed down into the outdoor arena with the rain) and within 20 mins she was sedated and in the trailer going into Liverpool....she has recovered, but not quite enough yet....so she has gone to be a broodie for 12 months, and then see how she is, if she hasn't improved, she will stay with the person who has her as a light hack/kids lead rein pony, if she has improved, she will come back and resume her show career.

[specialized]

I think all vets will say they would prefer to attend a false alarm than miss something serious - if in doubt give them a ring and talk it over.

[Furiey]

I usually find that if it's after hours or a sunday or bank holiday then I need to call the vets. Floods stopping the phones working also means they need calling. Otherwise a clean up is OK...

On a serious note, around a joint can be dodgy so better safe than sorry and call.

[Deleted]

Same as t'others, if in doubt I call them. I really wasn't sure what to do when Talins legs swelled recently, he had no sign of injury and to begin with wasn't lame but I called anyway and turned out it was the best thing I could have done, the vet reckoned if I'd left it til morning he could have had four elephant legs and been really seriously ill.