possible Lymphangitus???

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xXMrsIrishXx

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Brought our old cob mare in the morning after bonfire night and straight away appeared very lame on her right back leg. Had to hobble all the way into her stable which she managed all on her own with the temptation of a feed bucket lol. Had a look at her leg and hoof and could see no sign of any obvious injury.No heat and only slightly swollen. Thought she may of slipped or knocked it out in the field overnight especially with the fact it was bonfire night. After a day on bute she seemed to improve. But then after 2 days she seemed totally unable to walk on the same leg again after being stabled overnight. Thought she must of twisted it again while stabled overnight :( Had the farrier out to check that there was no abcess that we didnt know about but again couldnt find anything!!! Kept her turned out last night to keep movement going as she was wanting out so badly and watched her hobble her way back up the field. Today when i went to see her she seems not as bad on it but still not sound. Does this sound like Lymphangitus? Vet is coming on Monday to see her if still not sound on it. Could it of been caused by her knocking it or twisting funny on it?
 
My mare is prone to it in one leg (scarring makes another attack more likely) and her leg is never just a bit swollen, its like a tree-trunk from pastern to stifle and usually that side of her udder is swollen too. Walking is nigh-on impossible. Last time she could barely spread her legs to have a wee. TBH I think you mare has more likely sprained something but either way I'd have had the vet out as soon as you saw she was lame. Lymphangitis is potentially life-threatening and is listed under emergency normally. Hope yours gets better soon.
 
This really is a question that only a vet can answer after examining the horse, imho. Lameness can be caused by many different things; its impossible to diagnose over an internet forum. Have you spoken to the vet about it?
 
Thanks for your reply. We have her on loan to us and i called her owner who came to see her straight away as she has owned her for 10 years so knows her better than anyone. We are confident she has only sprained it or done something stupid out in the field as does the farrier. But when her owner was at the vets today paying off another bill from one of her other horses the vet who knows our mare did mention Lymphangitus. He suggested leaving her until monday and if no improvement will come out first thing. Of course if she got worse we wouldnt hesitate to call him out straight away. She seems happy and normal in every other aspect
 
I should follow the vet's advice, then :). Don't be tempted to bute her up again, though, as you need to see if there's an improvement. Good luck with her.
 
My mare gets lymphangitis and it is horrific....there are no ifs buts or maybes...vet straight out. The leg swells up - can be caused by a cut - and it canot drain the fluid or get rid of any infection from the cut. My mares legs (she gets it on both backs) swell up and the skin can actually split...it is a form of blood poisoning. Injections and I have had to have her leg bandaged from foot to hip before now...she wont eat or drink and cant walk at all inititally.
Unfortunately once they get it they are prone to it...you would see a swelling which would quite quickly spread.
We have no idea why she gets it...she can have a cut on her leg and doesnt get it but everything gets cleaned immediately just in case.
The first time she had it was terrible and now we are all very aware of how she is and check her legs constantly...
I would think your horse has overdone something and got a sprain or muscle issue...but the vet will be best placed to treat and find out what is going on. Good luck!
 
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