Whatifs3.txt

1.signs and symptons
toe touching lameness
heat and swelling
pain
off feed
off color
penetrating wound

History:
ran into the fence, hit a sharp nail
increasing inflammation and swelling
purulent discharge


Management plan:
RadiographsÑwe expect to see soft tissue swelling
Joint tapÑwe expect to see bacteria, highly cellular
CBCÑleukocytosis, left shift
Joint lavage-- if septic arthritisÑcleanse with saline solution and Gentamycin
Systemic antibioticsÑAmikacin
RX after infection has resolved:  Hyaluron, Adequane, Tetanus, bandage the 
wound, 
passive exercise, stall rest, NSAIDs--Phenylbutazol

Why is this different from Physitis:
The penetrating wound 
More joint inflammation with a penetrating wound
More focal soft tissue swelling with physitis
May see bone lysis with physitis
May see a bone sequestrum with osteomyelitis

Prognosis:
Good if caught early
Guarded if not caught early