b'STEP BY STEPcircumferentially surrounding the entire leg, says Randall. Typically there is no fever, but lameness varies significantly de- The Magic of Cryotherapypending on the injury and the individual.Cryotherapy (cold therapy) for short periods (20 to 30 Ive seen horses with ruptured superficialminutes) can help treat many acute leg injuries and cellulitis digital flexor tendons that walk fine,and reduce swelling, pain, and inflammation during the except for increased fetlock drop. Chronicfirst two to three days, says Rosemary Cuming, BVSc MS, suspensory branch injuries may haveMANZCVS, Dipl. ACVIM, of Scone Equine Hospital, in New more diffuse and extensive swelling, butSouth Wales, Australia. Cold therapy takes a variety of forms, its usually more fibrous with less edema. including cold water hosing, placing the leg in a tub of iced He says swelling from a foot abscesswater, or using ice boots multiple times a day.usually doesnt advance past the upperYou can almost never go wrong cooling down a limb, says pastern. However, at times edema mightMatt Randall, DVM, of Collier Equine, in Waller, Texas. Full DUSTY L PERINextend all the way to the carpus (knee)limb submersion in ice water is the best method to cool down due to constricted blood vessels in thean area. Adding salt to the ice water further helps reduce foot, combined with low-grade ascendingswelling by changing the osmotic gradient outside the skin. cellulitis related to the infection. Commercial ice boots work well, as do bags of frozen vegeta- Ice boots are one form of Similarly, wounds tend to develop lo- bles that conform to an area and dont soak the skin. Thesecold therapy.calized swelling that might become morenon-wet options may be better to use when there is a break widespread due toinfection. in the skin, since submersion further softens and weakens already compromised tissue.To differentiate between the manyUse clean water and dry the skin thoroughly after cryotherapy to prevent secondary bac-injuries a horse can incur, your veterinar- terial skin infections, says Cuming. Cryotherapy following exercise can also help treat older, ian will perform a thorough physical ex- chronic injuries.Nancy Loving, DVMamination, followed by a lameness exam and appropriate diagnostic tests based on clinical findings. Testing possibilitiessuch as a tendon sheath, bursa, or jointthe effusion (fluid buildup) improves or include radiography (X rays), ultrasound,capsule. Randall says many of these aredoesnt worsen with exercise, says Ran-advanced diagnostic imaging (MRI, CT,innocuous and mostly cosmetic in nature,dall. Windpuffs tend to occur secondary nuclear scintigraphy), tissue biopsy, andespecially if theyre similar in both frontto an inflammatory response within the bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity.or hind legs.joint or tendon sheath that increases I dont get too excited if a horse issynovial fluid that distends and stretches 5. Windpuffs doing its job without complaint, showingthe synovial structure.Windpuff is a word that simply de- no lameness, and is negative to palpa- Just like the loss of elasticity that oc-scribes swelling within a digital structure,tion and flexion of the limb, especially ifcurs after you stretch a rubber band, the capsule or sheath often remains stretched and retains some fluid to make a puff. If the effusion is in only one limb or the horse is sensitive to palpation or BIOZIDE GELjoint flexion, Randall recommends doing further diagnostic testing. Cuming agrees: WOUNDDRESSINGIf these swellings are asymmetrical (just in one leg or on one side of the leg) or Antibacterial Antifungalappear suddenly, grow in size, are hot or It is theBEST!painful on palpation, or are associated with a known injury or lameness, then Use for WoundsIncisions Lacerationsthis may indicate an acute injury. BarbWire CutsTopical Infections Nail WoundsExamples include a torn ligament orSAFECERTAIN EFFECTIVE WOUNDPROTECTIONtendon or an acute flare-up of a chronic injury, both of which necessitate prompt PUT IT ON . /T STAYS PUT!veterinarian attention, she says.Does Not Melt or Run Off %Take-Home Message1Available IODINE SpecialGel FormulaLets The WoundBreatheMany instances of limb swelling FOR FASTER HEALINGare fairly innocuous but can foretell a Available In 6 oz. and 20 oz. Jars significant underlying problem. Always Biozide Gel is a registered Trademark ofPERFORMANCE PRODUCTS INC.get your veterinarian involved to assess if St. Louis, MO 63166 USA314-421-0300Fax 314-421-3332and what needs to be done to address the www.biozidegel.com Toll Free 888-890-0659Distributors Wantedswelling.h46November 2019The Horse|TheHorse.comUntitled-20 46 9/25/19 9:54 AM'