SEVERE LAMENESS
Severe lameness refers to horses obviously lame at walk, or who are unable to weight bear at all. This may happen for a variety of reasons which are given below:
Foot abscesses: this is one of the most common reasons for acute lameness and often present suddenly with extreme lameness, and an increased digital pulse.
Penetrating injury e.g. a nail in the foot. Please leave the nail in until the vet arrives, so that we can check the point of entry and direction of penetration. This is important as prognosis will depend on which internal structures are involved.
Septic synovial structures e.g. tendon sheaths or joints. These usually present with a rapid onset of severe lameness and swelling of the joint or sheath. Often there is a wound present, but in some cases may have no obvious cause e.g. a penetrating black thorn.
Cellulitis or lymphangitis. These often present with moderate to marked swelling of the leg.
Fracture
Tendon or ligament injury.
Laminitis
Please contact us for advice if you have any concerns - we advocate early examination and treatment of severe lameness in all cases.