DMSO/ Fura-Zone? please read?

Question

my horse has a dime sized lump kind of in his armpit area...like on his elbow. its under his skin/hair and i had the vet check it she said its nothing...purely cosmetic probably from his hoof hitting the same spot when he lays down. i would like to shrink it down do it doesnt get too big and start to rub on his tack so she said DMSO/furazone on it? do i just mix the two? or put one on before the other? do you know if this works or something else i should try? (the vet didnt specify she was in a rush of course =)

Answer 1

I've used that mix before to treat joints, joint aches/swelling, etc.  It definitely won't hurt them.  I use a 50/50 mix of the two, and just paint it on with a brush so I don't get a mess on my hands.  You can usually find it at a local feed/tack store, Farm & Fleet if you have them in your area, etc.

The Furazone is awesome for wounds, so I like having that around in the barn anyway.  A little goes a long way, so it lasts forever!

Answer 2

Your horse has a simple fluid cyst that formed because of recurrent pressure exerted on that spot.  It is a protective response of the body, just like when the body forms a bursa (as in bursitis) to reduce friction near joints.  Dimethyl sulfoxide has many properties, including antiinflammatory (reduces inflammation), bacteriostatic (inhibits bacterial growth), and it may help to absorb swelling.  It has been used in sports medicine for years.  It is worth a try if the blemish bothers you...it isn't painful to the horse, and it does serve a protective function.  Cushioning the hoof that is causing it can also help to keep it from enlarging.  There is no evidence that I am aware of that there has ever been an incidence of a cancer associated with such a cyst...but, I could be mistaken.

At any rate, I'd call the vet if you are unclear about how she wants the medication prepared.  Good luck.

Answer 3

all i have to say is WEAR GLOVES!!!!

Answer 4

I think I know what it is...hold on and let me look it up to type it...

edit:  I was thinking a capped elbow but now I see where you said girth area.

Treatment of the capped elbow is treated with a topical non steroid or DMSO mixed with corticosteroids.

If it is allowed to get larger the vet needs to drain it and inject it with corticosteroids.  If to no avail, surgical removal.

Applying a round "donut" roll below the fetlock so that it will ease the problem...no hoof rubbing the area.  The donut is the cushion.

I've never used DMSO but what I have found:

*The Furazone/DMSO mix is pasty, not liquid.  Thick so it holds.  Wear gloves!*

On the other hand,

my mare and now gelding has a lump on their girth area.  She's had it forever and has not gotten bigger.  The vet says no big deal til it becomes a big deal, if you know what i mean.

It doesn't bother her and it's not growing.

Good luck

Answer 5

To mix DMSO and Furazone you just put it together in another container and mix well. Add just enough DMSO to mix in well; not enough to make it watery.

BE VERY CAREFUL and be sure to wear gloves DMSO is an Industrial Strength solvent so a little goes a long way.

Really though I can't see that having an effect on your horses problem. Sounds like capped elbows, so eliminateing the cause is going to have to happen before it can get better. Sooner is better as many times if the cause isn't removed they can go from bruising to tumors. Here is a pretty good article I found for you that gives the reasons this occurs and ways to prevent it.

http://petcaretips.net/lumps_bumps_knots...

If he was mine I'd by a set of rubber elbow protectors. They are simply  padded circles that go around the pastern area, covering the heel of his foot so that when he lays down the heel of his shoe can't bang him and cause. They work great and are pretty cheap I think. Used pretty regulary by gaited horses ect that have padded or caulked shoes.

EDITED TO ADD...also just a reminder that studies have shown that Nitrofurazone is carcinogenic and long term use of Furazone can lead to tumors in horses. Just my opinion but would avoid putting furazone on an area with a hygroma that sometimes turn into a tumor on it's on.

Answer 6

I'm sorry i don't have the answer for you. But your comment about the vet being rushed bugged me. I would get another vet to come to my barn. The vet should always answer your questions about the well being of your horse.

Answer 7

You can just mix a little DMSO with some furazone - about 1:3, I've never actually measured.  Be sure the site you're putting it on is very clean, because anything on the surface of his skin will be transported internally by the DMSO.  Wear gloves, yourself, because it will enter your system  through your skin, and,  besides leaving a very odd taste (like bad garlic) in your mouth, who knows what else it will do . . .

I'm not sure that's how I'd treat the lump you're describing, but if that's what your very busy vet said, well. . . .go ahead, I guess.  Is the lump hard or soft?  If it's not interfering with the girth, I'd leave it alone.  Thte DMSO/furazone won't do any harm, as far as I know.