Rattlesnake bite experiences?

[Hampton_Bay]

I was too. This was a very special, kind, talented horse. Kid safe, second level dressage, loved the trail and gained fit essential easily. His only vice is hating needles. I’m holding out a bit of hope because he is pretty sound at the walk and he’s no longer sore to palpation anywhere on the leg. Swelling is also almost gone if it’s kept wrapped, some mild windpuff type swelling if left unwrapped. Supposedly all of the lameness is adhesions, and he’s still bright and happy.

But I would bet my small bit of hope is just my refusal to believe that I have a 10yo pasture ornament who used to be my go-to for everything.

[jawa]

It is not unusual for a horse that has been wrapped to take a bit of time to not have some swelling when not supported by wraps.

I hope he will continue to improve and that you get you guy back to his usual self.

[Hampton_Bay]

jawa, how much time should that take? I left him unwrapped for about 24 hours due to some rain (he’s turned out in a small paddock, history of skin funk so didn’t want the wet wrap to cause further issues). He was a bit more swollen last night, both on the sides and the back right above the fetlock. However, he was the most sound he’s been even after cutting the previcox back to 1/4 the previous evening. He can actually make tight turns with the bad leg on the inside with no difficulty or head bob that we can see. A few days ago he was hopping when he would have to make a tight turn, and now he can do it fluidly. No change aside from cutting the previcox and MSM to the normal doses from the loading doses.

[jawa]

When I’ve had to use supportive wraps and had swelling issues after removal, the vet suggested a “weaning” off the wraps. I’d leave it unwrapped for 4-6 hours and then re wrap. Work my way up to 8-10 hours unwrapped and it was usually ok. Maybe 7-10 days 14 at the most. If he’s able to get some turn out while not wrapped that will help.

[Hampton_Bay]

He’s out 24/7, just in a smaller paddock. I tried him in the big pasture and he took off bucking. He was very much NOT sound, and he was running/bucking while hopping. I was afraid he would injure something because the vet couldn’t rule out some minor tears to tendon/ligament because of the swelling and adhesions, so back up he went.