All four legs swollen - what on earth is it...

[Barklands]

Waiting for emergency vet but while I do what are your thoughts - since I can't stop stressing!

All four legs triple usual size, very lame and rocked back on heels (looks laminitic), slight heat in feet, can't feel digital pulse but possibly because legs are so swollen. Shaking slightly and slight laboured breathing but I suspect is due to the pain. Has come on suddenly. Gums are pink, eating and drinking (slightly less than usual but is struggling to move around to get to it), pooing.

Horse living out 24/7 so was getting plenty of movement - gateway is thick mud but large field with good grass cover so not standing in mud all the time. No sign of cuts/scrapes/scabs (I was wondering lymphangitis). No contact with other horses other than one healthy field mate. Up to date on jabs. Have increased feed over the last week and it is quite high sugar content in chaff. Never had laminitis before and in healthy body condition.

Help, I'm stumped and it's a nervous wait!

 

[Amy May In A Manger]

My guess would be lymphangitis as well.

Hope whatever it is is sorted quickly.

 

[Goldenstar]

Cellulitis.
Hope the vets there soon
Let us know how you are getting on

 

[terrierliz]

One of mine presented like this a few years ago, vet assumed allergic reaction a course of steroids sorted it and hasn’t occurred since, everything crossed for you

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

Hope you find an answer soon. Could it be cellulitis?

 

[Rough and tumble]

Sounds like horrible lymphangitsis hope he’s ok ?

 

[wills_91]

Cellulitis/lunohangiti was my first thought. Hope you've got some answers now & horse is a little more comfortable.

 

[Northern Hare]

Another vote for cellulitis, but fingers crossed for a speedy recovery!

 

[misst]

As everyone else some sort of cellulitis. Hoping you get it sorted soon x

 

[Dave's Mam]

I thought cellulitis.
ETA having had it myself, the pain was ridiculous & even setting my feet on the ground was excruciating, so perhaps explains the rocked back stance. Mine was from an infected insect bite.

 

[holeymoley]

Initially thought lymphangitis as probably unlikely to have cellulitis in all 4 unless an all over response but I’ve never heard of that before. Mine took an all over swelling but mainly in face. We still don’t know what caused it but I found 2 puncture holes in his leg a few days later, we thought an adder bite was responsible for it. That was Summer time though. Good luck x

 

[Northern Hare]

I thought cellulitis.
ETA having had it myself, the pain was ridiculous & even setting my feet on the ground was excruciating, so perhaps explains the rocked back stance. Mine was from an infected insect bite.

I've had it as well - and as for you, mine was from an insect bite. It spreads so quickly and was very painful. Two weeks in hospital on various drips.