swollen hocks

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ablizzard01

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 29, 2009
Messages
106
I have a steer that is about 1100 lbs., that has swollen hocks just on the inside about the size of ping pong ball. He still walks fine it doesnt seem to bother him but anyone got ideas.
 

vc

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 24, 2007
Messages
1,811
Location
So-Cal
We have one that the hocks were swelling after he had been laying down all day in the barn, the swelling would dissipate after he had been tied up for a while.
We started feeding Natural Stride and the swelling has subsided completely.
 

bcosu

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
853
Location
Ohio
we had a heifer do it because of stress this winter. she slipped on ice once at a show and it went away after a week. then everytime you went to wash her she swelled back up again. it started going down faster and faster because at first it would take a few hours to go back down and then later on a few minutes. it was extremely odd but it happened everytime.
 

dcbehle

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 4, 2008
Messages
79
Location
Kearney, Nebraska
My vet recommended using DMSO to reduce the swelling in hocks for one of our show steers. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a clear gel product that can be applied directly to the affected area. It quickly moves through the skin and can shrink swelling in a couple of days. We applied it daily after rinsing our steers and the swelling in the hock went down 3/4" in three days. (I used a sewing tape measure to monitor it.)

One important thing to consider. DMSO can be used to transmit a variety of drugs through the skin, so it is important to know how to use it and work with your vet. In addition, use a rubber or latex glove to apply it.

A small jar of it costs about $10 and gave us 3 days of treatments on a pair of hocks.
 

DL

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 29, 2007
Messages
3,622
dcbehle said:
My vet recommended using DMSO to reduce the swelling in hocks for one of our show steers. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a clear gel product that can be applied directly to the affected area. It quickly moves through the skin and can shrink swelling in a couple of days. We applied it daily after rinsing our steers and the swelling in the hock went down 3/4" in three days. (I used a sewing tape measure to monitor it.)

One important thing to consider. DMSO can be used to transmit a variety of drugs through the skin, so it is important to know how to use it and work with your vet. In addition, use a rubber or latex glove to apply it.

A small jar of it costs about $10 and gave us 3 days of treatments on a pair of hocks.

I know most of you don't seem to care that we are raising animals for food but DMSO SHOULD NOT  be used in cattle - from the legal perspective it is considered a drug and not to be used extra label in food animals. From a food standpoint is is a solvent and smells bad and makes the meat smell bad - if it ain't broke don't fix it- if you must do something how about cold water 2 to 3 x per day on the hock.

chances are dcbehle your vet does a lot of horse work...
 

Cattledog

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 27, 2008
Messages
1,116
Our heifer this year has had her hocks swell a little.  This might sound crazy but her swelling went down when we exercised her more.
 

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