lynphangitus

[stablehand]

I'm not having the best festive time, cat was missing for 4 days returned home with wound been to vets repaired as well as poss and now crated in living room!!
And now it appears my rather illness/accident prone horse has lymphangitus (sorry if not spelled correctly but i think you'll get the idea) one in one leg at the mo. He has had it before at this time of year i seem to remember.
Its rather a long story but basically he's been on 7/8 months box rest now coming back in walk work but still strict NO TURNOUT. So any magic cures before he has to have more anti bios. We are lucky enough to have a salt water spa so have cold spa'd him and trying to do 20/30 Min's walk at each end of the day.
Idea's welcomed, magic cures anything and any ideas as to why it may come back at the same time of year, (he always spend a long time in so dont think it can be that)

[donnalex]

Once they have had it once they are prone to it fr life.
Basically the return pipes and tubes or drainage system that take fluid away from the limbs have had infection inside them and are now permanently scarred and partially blocked forever. Any loss of movement, small cut, blow or tightly fitted boot to the affected leg can cause a flare up as they are permanently partially blocked it only takes something minor to block them more or completely. Usually the advice is exercise to keep the circulation as good as possible but in your case it seems there are other reasons why you cant do this.
One thing you could look at it barefoot trimming. Shoeing a hoof is known to reduce circulation and make the legs cold. It is said that the hooves provide 20% of the circulation, each one acting as a mini pump each time it is compressed by footfall. Even a small improvement like this could help long term, especially when you get your horse out and about again. A horse walker would be great if you have access to one.
I think I would consult the vet in the short term and look at barefoot trimming for the long term.

[julz]

My friends horse had this for the first time earlier this year... takes a while im afraid to go down... even now im not sure it's completely down, will have a look next time i see her. The whole of her leg was like a tree trunk from hoof to shoulder. (it was May when it happened) think the vet said that movement was good, so if you can turn out during the day it would be better than having him stabled 24/7

[peppertop]

Might see you tomorrow anyway but thought I'd put it on here too!
This horse is barefoot Donnalex, and I completely agree that it helps. I suspect it may be an immune system problem. I know normally he would be out more at this time of year but possibly not much at some times. I wonder if the lack of circulation starts to effect the immune system? Wierdly ours that have had to be in coz of ice have all started to get worse scabs from mud fever.. they haven't been near the stuff for 2 weeks!
Bless him, he hasn't chosen the best weather to have to go in the spa!

[rummi]

If you are interested in the herbal route, the herbs clivers (also known as cleavers) and calendula (also known as marigold flowers) are very useful to support the lymphatic system.

A blend of clivers and calendula (fed at 30-50g a day) is commonly used to help horses who are prone to puffy/filled legs, as this is also linked to a poorly performing lyphatic system.

Dandelion root is also useful to help drain the excess fluid and generally 'flush out' the system.

Hope this helps!

(

[pd]

Lymphangitis is a medical emergency, if you haven't already called your vet, do so, the potential complications are not worth chancing it.
Sorry to be the harbinger of doom

[stablehand]

Did speak to the vet, as he is now a good friend coz foil (horse in question) like to see him often!!
Thankfully it has gone down almost to normal after we let his have a naughty 20 mins turn out in the pen, we decided if poss to avoid anti bio's as with all his other complaints he's had a lot of drugs this year.
Yes thanks donnelex he is bare foot after having problem with cold legs i undersatnd about the circulation stuff, having his shoe off has improved it, now it is possible as he is now in walk work.
Thanks Rummi that is just what i wanted some ideas of herbal stuff i can use and have in and use at the first sign of it. Have you used them for this condition with any sucess??

[portiabuzz]

so sorry to hear all this....cant offer any advise, but am thinking of you xx

[arabmania]

i do not know much about lymphangitis but i remember a horse having it at the RA (army) yard who was worked through it. The horse was never rested and was even jumped with the off hind very swollen. I cannot say whether this was good or bad practice?

[pd]

True Lymphangitis is agony, one of the symptoms is that the horse won't move its in so much pain. You can have swelled legs through being stabled, immobile, without having lymphangitis.

I'm glad your horse has returned to near normal stablehand, fingers crossed, a little regular controlled movement will keep him right.

Good luck.

[graymare]

mine was prone to filled hinds when stabled, only thing that helped was bandaging. I figured it was better to bandage than have the tissues repeatedly damaged by oedema.

[Whisper]

Only thing to reduce lymphangitis (apart from steroids and antibiotics) is exercise.
It sounds like your horse is recovering from other injuries though so this isnt possible obviously.
Probably more walking out might help take the swelling down.
Even with filled legs they ideally need to be exercised as its the only way to get the swelling down and get the circulation moving again.
The herbal route is a good way to go. Hope things look up for you soon. x