Chronic Inflammation - legs

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charlottenicol

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28 November 2005
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Argyll
www.allt-na-craig.co.uk
My poor chap has really been through it since the beginning of April, firstly it was thought to be infected mud fever in back legs so feathers off and antibiotics which didn't help, then chorioptic mange (which I do think was a factor) and the fronts started so those feathers came off. Two Dectomax injections and changed to penicillin, but still no change. Then came sedation more clipping and a thorougher wash, I expected to see horrid gaping wounds as the legs had been so oozy but they didn't look too bad, but the still oozed after. Then came Chronic Inflammation, no more antibiotics but a change to steroids, and I am keeping my fingers crossed this will work as no significant improvement, but he is letting me pick up his feet once more and the oozing doesn't seem so thick and green, it is a bit clearer. Anyway that is the brief version of a very long story, has anyone had any experience like this. The picture was the thick gunky stage

 
I've not experienced this, I have experienced a horse with extreme mud fever...now cleared, I was lucky enough to manage him out of it with no vet intervention (dont speak too soon!) obviously your vet is the best advice as i'm certainly no expert but i've heard moxidectin/ivermectin paste is a great alternative treatment to steriods/other drugs. I would avoid steroids if I possibly could because of the side effects or other risks but if this was the only way to make my horse comfortable and manage his condition then of course i'd take this route; I feel for you as these ailments can be an absolute monster to manage and cure once they've got a hold but i'm sure possibly with a bit of trial and error you'll get there. I used ''heel to hoof'' balm, aloe vera gel and keratex powder (I think that's how it's spelt!) not all at once but as a mixture of soothing, anti-bacterial and barrier measures on the mud fever (along with bucket fulls of hibiscrub and lots of dry clean towels!) I wish you all the luck possible in curing him x
 
The vet wanted to use a topical steroid but at the moment we are unable to get any where near his legs without sedation (managing to lift them a bit now though but no touching). Use pig oil and sulphur but short of cash for a couple of months over the winter and couldn't get any (will be stocking up over the summer). We are lucky to live near a sea loch so take him for paddles and think the salt will help
 
Have the vets done a culture of the discharge so that they can target it with the appropriate medication??
 
Is he a hairy-type cob? It might not be this, but could be worth googling Chronic Progressive Lymphedema (CPL) and mentioning it to your vets. The condition can be controlled so don't worry about the doom and gloom prognosis on some of the websites. Signs are (depending on how badly affected) thickened, ridged and/or noduled skin around pasterns, crusty open sores (though I don't think green oozing is usual, but not sure) foot stamping/itching and inflammation. With the right treatment need not be a problem and horses can lead full and active lives with it.
 
I would get a biopsy done and rule out Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis. The steroids will be the appropriate treatment for it, but it would mean you have to stop all topical treatments. Mine has just had this diagnosed after 2 years of differing vets diagnosing mud fever, mange, fungal infections and prescribing a range of treatments. The key indicator with mine was inflammation. Anti B's didn't touch my horse because they were 'normal' 5 or 7 day courses, mine is now on a long course of them & 120 steroid tabs a day!
 
siennamum said:
I would get a biopsy done and rule out Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis. The steroids will be the appropriate treatment for it, but it would mean you have to stop all topical treatments. Mine has just had this diagnosed after 2 years of differing vets diagnosing mud fever, mange, fungal infections and prescribing a range of treatments. The key indicator with mine was inflammation. Anti B's didn't touch my horse because they were 'normal' 5 or 7 day courses, mine is now on a long course of them & 120 steroid tabs a day!
Click to expand...

The counting is tedious, but a vet friend told me about powdered steroids, and I told my vet, there is a place in Doncaster that has a license to powder them and pack them into sachets and they are about the same price as the 5mg steroids and Hudson is on the same dose but now only 2 1/2 sachets a day, I will have a look at the packets tomorrow and let you know where they are from. Vet just been out, there is some improvement but still 'wet' so she is away to phone the vet college in Glasgow to talk to equine specialists.
 
You can wiegh the steriod tablets on a scale that small amounts count out the amount find the wieght and theme it's easy to wiegh out that amount every day.
Wieght watchers scales are ideal for this.
 
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