Lymphangitis?

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Skhosu

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My boy was diagnosed yesterday with it, dog lame, huge leg and is now on bute and oral antibiotics. I reckon this is the first time he has actually had something wrong with him. He is turned out now (was more lame stabled) and was wondering if anyone else could tell me anything about it/you experiences?
I belieave it can reoccur as well?
 
Hi, my mare had it earlier this year due to reaction to two tiny scabs of mud fever...resulting in emergency call out.
My mare really couldnt take it and was breathing heavily and in a lot of distress. She had very strong painkillers, various other injections, bute and her hind leg, which was affected, bandaged up to the stifle. Her teats swelled up and she had swellings on the underside of her belly but these were because the fluid has to go somewhere and goes to lowest point. She couldnt walk at first...but even my vet said she is very sensitive. Once the medication started working she got over it in a few days..as if nothing happened!!! Her leg took a few days to go down, she was soon walking fine, but we had to keep her dry (it was still raining!) so couldnt let her out. It was about a week and she was practically back to normal...and could be freed of her bandage and finished course of medication.
I was told that it could flare up again and if she gets any broken skin on that leg, it could come up again...so keep an eye on it and act on any swelling. her leg swelled up to maximum..the skin can split apparently...luckily hers didn't.
It is inflammation of the lymph vessels and generally caused by an infection reaction...it is tissue fluid, hence the fluid swellings.
Hope your horsey gets over it ok...
The below explains in simple terms!!!
http://www.globalherbs.co.uk/horse/diseases_lymphangitis.htm
 
My boy got really bad lymphangitis about 3 years ago, he had a reaction to an overdose of midge bites. All 4 of his legs were like tree trunks and his sheath was also swollen. The vet treated him with bute, antib's and diuretics (sp) and he recovered fine. He has been prone to it since and his legs fill up (especially his hind legs) if he's left in for too long or if he gets a lot of midge bites around his sheath. If his legs do fill I just bandage them and turn him out. He's never had it as bad since though, although last autumn all 4 of his legs swelled up slightly and then a few days later he went very lame and was showing signs of laminitis. I called the vet and he said that the fluid from his legs had gone into his feet and was putting pressure in the laminae, causing similar symptoms of laminitis. He went on diuretics and bute and was fine in a few days. He's able to be worked normally and is out competing at events etc. It's just to be aware that he's prone to it and to try and prevent it, I know that his is caused by midge bites so I always have to be vigilant with fly protection, especially around his sheath.
Do you know what caused your horses? I hope he's feeling better soon, they do get very uncomfortable with it.
 
Thanks guys
Not sure whats caused, he did have a small touch of mud fever under his fetlock so assuming it must be that, although he has two bumps on that leg that sometimes have a wee scab ont eh top so could be them.
It's quite a bad thign fo rhim to get by the looks of it as these lumps often have slight scabs on them, he has a wee bti of mud fever and is the worst healer in the world, cuts tend to take 6 months to heal :S . So hopefully he will make a change and recover from this quickly (am not at home, at uni!)
how soon did yours go down after antibiotics?
 
Mine got it with mud fever as well. She took ages to recover as she's now an old lady. Took about 2 weeks to fully go down, 10 days on antibiotics.

That leg still fills a lot just overnight, and it does reoccur if she gets an injury to that leg (bruise, cut, etc). Otherwise she's fine, as sound as she ever was. I don't treat her any differently, except for being more cautious with any cuts on that leg (bute and antibiotics for anything more than a graze).
 
The chestnut in my sig is prone to this - he's had it a couple of times in the 3 years I've had him. Both times it was due to some miniscule nick on his leg!

The leg was half the original size the day after the vet had been & right down by day 3. Because he wouldn't eat the bute & antibiotics in his food, vet had to call every day & inject him in the vein (I was at work so the vet & a student would just lead him to the gate of his field & do it there!! Wild little hot headed TB that he is!!)

Unfortunately he is allergic to penicillin or I would have done the injecting myself intramuscularly. The alternative antib had to go in via the vein.

After 5 days he was brand new but I had a colossal bill with so many visits!!
 
We can't do the injections as he is impossible to inject, so he has to have oral, has everyone elses had injectable ?:S
 
Originally, injectable Dupaphen Strep. She now has Trimediazine sachets for any wound to that leg (and she's had a few!) to catch it before it can set in.

I'm sure your vet can help answer any questions if you're worried
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Is he having powder or syringe antibiotics?
 
Only had experience of it once. Came down to find my boy standing on three legs. He literally couldn't walk. It was in a front leg and it was so swollen there was no definition and about three times usual size. Had vet out, and was given antibiotics and bute, was much better the next day and sound within a few days. He only had the one initial injection and then powder from then on. Two years later and no re-occurence as yet so I'm hoping we won't have any problems. No clue what caused his as no mud fever or visible cuts.
 
Glad to hear he is better. A long time ago we had a horse that had it for ages, despite our very dedicated nursing. She had injections of antibiotics but she just didnt seem to be able to shift the infection and was very ill. When my boy got it following a kick injury, I was nearly hysterical at the memory of that old mare and what we all went through. He recovered in about 3 days though.
 
my tb gelding harry has the more severe type , his front legs ulcerate , its a very painful condition and hes had it severlly twice , this year we thought we would lose him , our vet has recommended that he live out, the steady walking around seems to be the only way to prevent the initial filled legs , this year he had 3 courses of intramuscular strep and ended up on iv antibiotics , his legs took over three months to heal , for now hes fine we just keep a very careful eye on him and he has naf lymph blend as a suppliment
 
Yes, Grace got this when she got horrendous mud fever last winter
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Her leg is always a little thicker than the left now, but not noticably unless she has been stood in a long time. However, I have found magnetic boots helped greatly (once the infection had died down) and she still has them on now
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Whenever she gets a cut it can flare up, but it does not make her lame.
 
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