David A. Rustebakke, DVMA seroma is a fluid pocket that accumulates under the skin. Seromas are generally caused by some sort of trauma that causes bleeding or damage to the blood vessels under the skin (a kick by another horse, or running into a solid object). Most common sites are on the front of the chest, the stifle, and the thigh. Think about where horses kick one another! The fluid is serum, which is the liquid portion of blood. We also often find blood clots and fibrin in the cavity. Fibrin is the jelly like framework that forms a clot.
This video shows a seroma that was treated in the summer of 2016 by surgical drainage. We do a surgical prep, sedate the horse and put in a local anesthetic; the fluid pocket is then opened and drained, and the fibrin clots removed. The end of the video shows what it looks like now; 6 months later it is completely healed. |
AuthorsDr. David A. Rustebakke Check back in frequently to see what our doctors have to say!Our 5 doctors have nearly 70 years of combined experience to serve you and your animals! We are fortunate to have that level of experience in our doctors and staff. This is a place we can go to get an insight into their thoughts. Archives
November 2020
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