Alfa A Oil - Lymphangitus

[Mbronze]

Could i be causing my girl lymphangitus by feeding her Alfa A Oil. She has had it in the past,and now her back legs are all swollen every morning since i have introduced her to the Alfa A Oil.
They go down after a bit of exercise, but this is the only thing i can think of that i have changed in the last week.

 

[CracklinRosie]

Has she been on a different turn out regime?

My mare used to get quite badly swollen legs when she was on loan and getting fed cheap feed and lots of bread and treats. I put her on a strict diet and changed her onto Baileys No 4 and Safe and Sound and she's now much better. If I could get her to stop kicking the wall she'd be even better!

Are you bandaging?

 

[Mbronze]

Shes not been on a different regime, although our turnout is very limited - only twice a week for a few hours.

I'm not bandaging, but i didn't know whether that is a good thing or a bad thing. Because if i do bandage i take it the swelling will reduce but how will i know when there is no swelling to bandage?

 

[CracklinRosie]

Yeah I'm with you there. I would be tempted to cut out the Alpha A Oil and see how she does. Might also be worth phoning the Dengie helpline and asking their advice about it too. They might have come across it before!

 

[Mbronze]

Thanks for the advice. I will give them a call.

 

[JenHunt]

According to old fashioned horsemen lymphangitis was caused by high grain diets, though modern husbandry generally suggests that it's a change in regime which leads to the horse standing in for longer periods of time that causes it.

I'd be very suprised if the alfa A oil was to blame, unless she exhibits other signs of an allergy to the alfalfa.

if it subsides with exercise of turn out then I would manage it that way, if it doesn't then consider stable bandages to help support her circulation and prevent it that way. if in doubt ask your vet.

 

[GT_02]

Alfa A is fairly high in protein, and an excess of protein in the diet can cause filled legs. Chances are if you change to a lower protein feed, the swelling overnight will lessen.