Page 423 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

bandaged. However, the improvement may only be slight or temporary as the swelling

often reforms and effective bandaging of these sites is not easy. Following drainage of
VetBooks.ir • the bursa, corticosteroids may be injected to reduce inflammation.

Very large swellings that do not respond to medical treatment can be removed surgically
under general anaesthesia. This would be considered when the swelling was sufficient to

affect the horse’s gait as can occur with a large hygroma of the knee.

SEPTIC BURSITIS

A bursa can become infected if it is penetrated by a sharp object. Examples include the

following.
• Infection of the navicular bursa following penetration by a nail or other sharp object.

• Fistulous withers which presents as a painful swelling over the withers that may or may

not discharge (Figure 9.11). The condition can be caused by blunt trauma or a penetrating
wound, but in many cases there is no obvious cause (idiopathic). The bacterium Brucella
abortus may be involved and as this infection can cause serious problems in people, any

discharges are cultured to identify the bacteria present.