Equine Lymphangitis

[holliecoops]

Hi there

I'm new to Horse & Hound forum and have joined as my 6Y/O New forest has currently got equine lymphangitis and I wondered if anyone had experienced this before and done anything i.e supplements/management to prevent it occuring again?

This is his first lymphangitis problem and the vet came to see him yesterday and he's now on pain relief and anti-biotics.

Any supplement recommendations or information would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Hollie

 

[warmbloodcrazy]

Hi there,

My horse had this for the first and only time a couple of years ago, the vet thought it may have been from a thorn or something from the hedges that had been cut round my horses field. He got it in a front leg and we fully clipped the leg to see if we could see an entry point but couldn't find one. I turned up one morning and he couldnt walk and his leg was literally filled up like a tree trunk and went through over his chest too. He was given injections of strong pain killers etc to bring it down and within a week it had gone down completely and he was back to normal and has never had it since nor has he had an effects from it. His leg doesn't swell or anything when hes in. I had been told of horses that had and the vet said he could get more bouts of it or the leg could possibly fill easily after having it but he hasn't had any of this at all. I don't know of any supplements i'm afraid but try not to worry, it may be that he has this one episode and he'll then not get it again!

 

[Andalucian]

Prevention is movement mainly, only stable them if absolutely necessary. It's a very painful condition for the horse and needs expert veterinary attention. In addition to bute and antibiotics he may need diuretics to drain the fluid from the tissues. In extreme cases steroids are also used. The legs should drain fully in 48 to 72 hours, if this doesn't happen get the vet back, leaving it can cause long term problems. In serious cases (which you may have gathered I've seen,) the best antibiotic is Baytril, expensive, but I'd insist on it every time for Lymphangitis and cellulitis. Good luck.

 

[holliecoops]

Prevention is movement mainly, only stable them if absolutely necessary. It's a very painful condition for the horse and needs expert veterinary attention. In addition to bute and antibiotics he may need diuretics to drain the fluid from the tissues. In extreme cases steroids are also used. The legs should drain fully in 48 to 72 hours, if this doesn't happen get the vet back, leaving it can cause long term problems. In serious cases (which you may have gathered I've seen,) the best antibiotic is Baytril, expensive, but I'd insist on it every time for Lymphangitis and cellulitis. Good luck.

Thanks - I have had the vet out again this morning and we caught in very quickly. The fluid has drained well and the infection is going. Normal temperature today. I have been using ice vibe boots and I'd highly recommend investing in a pair - they're great!

 

[Andalucian]

Thanks - I have had the vet out again this morning and we caught in very quickly. The fluid has drained well and the infection is going. Normal temperature today. I have been using ice vibe boots and I'd highly recommend investing in a pair - they're great!

Great update, I'm glad to hear it. Movement all the time for the next few weeks to be on the safe side.