Crepitus?

[bobkizzyhugo 40]

dogs back leg is hot and swollon. she has a small 10mm puncture wound below the knee to the front/concave joint of the hock. its hot to the touch slightly swollen joint around the hock and can feel the bubble of air under the skin. apart from rest and a salwater rinse is there anything else i should be doing? im guessing that the air is due to the puncture and will be driven out on its own?

Edited January 26, 2014 by bobkizzyhugo

[skycat 6,173]

Crepitus doesn't cause heat: just air under the skin like bubble wrap. If it is hot AND swollen it is infected which can be bad news around joints. Antibiotics probably needed in this case. But get a hands on opinion from a vet if you are worried. Infection in joint can permanently compromise the workings of the joint, and the hock is a very complex joint with loads of little bones and ligaments involved.

[sandymere 8,263]

Crepitus can be caused by air or infection, as above need antibiotics.

[beast 1,884]

yep, good chance that wound plus swollen plus hot equals infection. antibiotics to be on the safe side

[bobkizzyhugo 40]

well we flushed it out with salene a few times the swelling has subsided aswell as the heat cant feel any bubbles anymore but it did get abit juicy. spoke to the vet he said to just keep an eye on it but is happy with whats been done so far