LegOn
Well-Known Member
My vet has recommended a low protein diet for my horse that has had 2 bouts of lymphangitis in a few weeks - anyone have any experience of this or what did you decide to feed?
Low protein diet to manage lymphangitis
- Thread starter LegOn
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Mynstrel
Well-Known Member
Not sure if this will be any use to you but...
I don't know about low protein diets but when one of ours had it we got in contact with somebody who works with National Hunt horses through one of the horsey herbal companies & she recommended fenugreek seeds, said she'd seen them used in the past with good results. Although I can't for the life of me work out why they should have helped they did seem to.
Our vet never mentioned changing feeds but that doesn't mean anything; all I'd say is that from our experience with it I'd say it's quite a personal illness & what works for one horse won't necessarily help another so if the first thing you try doesn't help don't give up.
I don't know about low protein diets but when one of ours had it we got in contact with somebody who works with National Hunt horses through one of the horsey herbal companies & she recommended fenugreek seeds, said she'd seen them used in the past with good results. Although I can't for the life of me work out why they should have helped they did seem to.
Our vet never mentioned changing feeds but that doesn't mean anything; all I'd say is that from our experience with it I'd say it's quite a personal illness & what works for one horse won't necessarily help another so if the first thing you try doesn't help don't give up.
iconique
Well-Known Member
We did for a liver complaint - she ended up with lymphangitis and still gets filled legs, but is still on a low protein diet. We used spillers happy hoof and micronised flaked maize, the idea to give her as high quality, low quantity protein as possible. If you ring the feed companies like Spillers they will advise you - I was pleasantly surprised that they didn't sell maize but recommend it rather than a premixed something or just from their range!
Hope you sort it soon.
Hope you sort it soon.
charlene88
Well-Known Member
My horse has lymphangitis, I feed hom conditioning feeds as he is difficult to keep condition on. I dont find that this does anything to him. When i feel that his legs are getting puffy i feed him Clivers. Its a natural herb and when i feed it to my lad the lymphangitis will not bother him for months after. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLIVERS-9...&ps=63&clkid=7121340703527578319#ht_991wt_952
threeponies
Well-Known Member
My pony is on a low protein diet to manage his liver damage, he has Badminton high fibre complete and high fibre cubes. My vet told me not to give him any alfalfa at all, he was having Mollichop Veteran chop until he decided he didn't like it. He also has the low protein, high fibre Silvermoor bagged haylage.
Heather 1
New User
The idea that low protein diets can help lymphangitis is an old fashioned one based on a misunderstanding about how the lymphatic system works. In reality, low protein causes oedema, which is what happens when famine victims develop swollen abdomens.
Lymphangitis is usually caused by infection (but can be an allergic reaction) and needs to be treated by a vet with antibiotics, which can vary depending on the bacteria involved, anti inflammatories etc. Even so, there will be residual damage to the lymphatic vessels, which may leave a horse more vulnerable to further attacks. The swelling that remains after some attacks is lymphoedema, due to this damage, and should be treated with equine manual lymph drainage as part of 'combined decongestive therapy'.
Lymphangitis is usually caused by infection (but can be an allergic reaction) and needs to be treated by a vet with antibiotics, which can vary depending on the bacteria involved, anti inflammatories etc. Even so, there will be residual damage to the lymphatic vessels, which may leave a horse more vulnerable to further attacks. The swelling that remains after some attacks is lymphoedema, due to this damage, and should be treated with equine manual lymph drainage as part of 'combined decongestive therapy'.