Swollen Front Leg

Padencreek

Joined May 2011

296 Posts | 0+

Linesville, PA

Discussion Starter
• Aug 24, 2012

• #1

I just wanted a few opinions on this one. I searched both the old and new forums and there isn't much on this topic. I'm just going to watch it for a couple days before I do anything but would like some feedback on my two year old doe's swollen knee joint. It is not tender and she appears perfectly healthy. It doesn't seem to bother her at all. It is soft to the touch and appears to be full of fluid.



My thoughts are if it does not go away on its own, I may drain it and give antibiotics and possibly some anti-inflammatory medication.

 

Attachments

• 
  swollen deer leg.jpg

  11.2 KB

L

Lanasvet

Joined Aug 2010

517 Posts | 0+

Illinois

• Aug 25, 2012

• #2

Dexamethasone for swelling.

 

P

pondflatwhitetails

Joined May 2011

175 Posts | 0+

Evansville, Indiana

• Aug 27, 2012

• #3

Dex is good... BUT dex does lower the immune system. If fighting an infection I personally wouldnt want to give dex. If you can do it without knocking her down I would get some poultice and put on it. Then put a little gause around it then a little vet wrap around that. Poultice can help "pull out" an infection that is settling in joints and trying to get out. I cant say thats for sure the problem though. Just my thoughts.

 

Padencreek

Joined May 2011

296 Posts | 0+

Linesville, PA

Discussion Starter
• Aug 27, 2012

• #4

Thank you Ben and Lana.

 

L

Lanasvet

Joined Aug 2010

517 Posts | 0+

Illinois

• Aug 28, 2012

• #5

Dex has the least immunosuppressive effect of the corticosteroids usually used to lessen inflammation. It is safe to use in cases in which the autoimmune response has been triggered in animals. If the animal has for example, a respiratory infection, you would be most concerned with using an immunosuppressive. If this animal has a joint injury, I think the dex is the way to go. If you feel that she has an infection there, call a Vet and ask if dex and an antibiotic can be used to treat empirically.

 

L

Lanasvet

Joined Aug 2010

517 Posts | 0+

Illinois

• Sep 2, 2012

• #6

How is she doing?

 

Padencreek

Joined May 2011

296 Posts | 0+

Linesville, PA

Discussion Starter
• Sep 3, 2012

• #7

I gave her some antibiotics but the lump has not changed. It does not bother her at all. I'm starting to think it could be some type of fatty mass. I'm not going to worry about it unless it appears to bother her. When I put her down for transport in October, I may try to drain it.

 

P

pondflatwhitetails

Joined May 2011

175 Posts | 0+

Evansville, Indiana

• Sep 3, 2012

• #8

That sounds like a pretty good idea John. No need to put her down if she seems to be doing fine and its not getting bigger.

 

RyanR

Joined May 2010

388 Posts | 0+

Stevens Point/Gillett, WI

• Sep 4, 2012

• #9

This may sound funny, but is she a dominate doe in your herd? I've witnessed this on several occassions, and a majority of the time it has happend to does who I've noted like to fight and or chase others. I don't know if it is caused from over extention of the joint or excessive use of the joint, but it never seems to be much bother and tends to disappear. Just my two cents! Ryan Rodenkirch

 

S

Scott Heinrich

Joined Mar 2009

887 Posts | 0+

Blairstown, LA

• Sep 4, 2012

• #10

I wouldn't do anything to this doe. It is a lump caused from fluid collecting around the joint. This is common when an injury or strain of the joint occurs. We see these usually a day or 2 after bumping and or bruising from running them through the chute.

 

Padencreek

Joined May 2011

296 Posts | 0+

Linesville, PA

Discussion Starter
• Sep 4, 2012

• #11

Thank you Ryan and Scott. She is the dominant doe in my herd. She's Rigid / Blazer / Pepsi so I need to treat her right (Big Rig half sister).