Lymphangitis help please

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Mabel98

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My mare has been diagnosed with lymphangitis this morning. She was fine yesterday but I found her in the field this morning really unhappy, wouldn't eat, high temp and holding her near hind up. I had to get help to drag her in as she was so lame, I thought she had broken her leg at first.The vet has given her painkillers and antibiotics and I have to inject her twice a day which worries me. She has no cut and her leg is not that swollen yet. Any advice or info please? How long before she is better? She is in a small paddock and I know I have to keep her moving.

Thanks very much
 
My only experience with this was a lovely old gelding who came to live out his retirement with me. When it first developed, he had mega intravenous antibiotics which probably saved his life. I pressure bandaged for quite a while, and then the vet came up with a zip on bandage designed for the job, which helped a bit. Kept him moving as much as poss, and we did keep him cheerful for about another 2/3 years, but he was in his 20's when it started. I think I buted as well.
Horrible condition, good luck.
p.s. their is another post, I think on Veterinary about this with a homeopathic remedy.
 
Thanks irish-only. My vet said not to bandage but cold hose instead. I will look at the other posts on the forum. She is only just 6 so I hope I can manage the condition ok
 
My mare had lymphangitis in one hind leg 5 years ago.
She had never had it before and has never had it again since.
She was in foal at the time (had it in February had the foal end of April)
The vet said there ony had to be the smallest of nicks in the skin and she was heavier than normal because of the foal.
I had to inject her with anti biotics twice a day and she had a low dose of painkillers (didn't want the foal to get too much!!)
I had her out in a level paddock during the day to walk about and it went down after walking around and she was in at night .
It cleared up in a week or so though the leg filled a little if stabled overnight.

The vet said to be extra vigilant about any sign of mud fever as that could trigger it again
that winter but she has been fine ever since.
Hope that helps
 
Mabel98

Although you say there is no cuts there, it need only be very tiny.

My gelding has had it mildly a couple of times, he does have a sluggish lymphatic system so I feed him on Hilton Herbs "Cleavers and Marigold Herbal Mix"

It is well worth trying it.
 
Thanks both. She is brighter in herself today but her leg is still huge and she is unwilling to walk. I haven't had any probs injecting her which I was worried about!

Horselib, thanks, that's encouraging, especailly as I have been reading lots of
horror stories of horses with recurrent lymphangitis!

paulineh, I can't see any cuts but there may be something tiny. Thanks, I will get those herbs
 
I have had two with lymphangitis, both have had flare ups again (when both turned out and stabled)
Walking is important to get the fluid moving-I have always turned out lymphangitis sufferers out and made sure they are walking twice a day at least(e.g bring in to inject)
Don't worry too much, you'd be unlucky to have it no go down and her recover well. There can be residual swelling mind.
 
I would recomend using something like the game ready cold compression system. It is fab for lymphangitis, relieves a lot of discomfort and reduces swelling.

PM me if you want any more details.

Other than that very regular movement will help.

Good Luck
 
Susie, thanks for the reassurance, I always imagine the worst possible outcome!

magic, will PM you, thanks
 
My big hunter had regular moderate attacks from the age of 9-12, and then it just went away, and its never come back, and hes 17 now. So dont panic, it isnt necessarily a life sentence or nightmare picture. We used gentle daily exercise, pink powder, leg wraps and cols hosing. INitial attacks he had anti bios and a touch of bute too.
 
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