Swollen legs

[ch_martian]

Sorry in Stable Yard too!

My 6 year old TB X keeps having swollen hind fetlocks when I go down in the morning. With exercise the swelling goes down but it seems to come back after he has been stood in for a length of time. He is not lame at all although he does currently have a touch of mud fever which probably isn't helping. Does anyone have any suggestions for what I can do? I'm just worried that this swelling can't be good for him.

 

[KautoStar1]

My new horse is exactly the same, only his swelling is just on one hind leg, but its the leg thats white and gets mud fever.

I called the vet in the end because I was also concerned about the swelling (no heat or lameness). She advised against turn out socks. Said to get rid of the mud fever first and then turn him out with a barrier cream on his legs and then wash and dry the legs thoroughly each time he's been out.

I've been treating the mud fever carefully and he's had a course of antibiotics which seem to have helped.

 

[fatpiggy]

It is very common. The hind legs are farthest from the heart and circulation is weaker there. The fluid simply drains to the lowest point. Don't worry about it, it is purely cosmetic and not harmful.

 

[cellie]

Buy some steriod cream and bathe with iodine around the fetlock and make sure you dry it really well.Hibiscrub stings and is too astringent.I have just had a very severe attack of mud fever with tbx from small nick in fetlock .She ended up with two lots of antibiotics and it travelled up her leg to the hock.Its the mud fever causing problems you need to bathe to soften scabs and then rub of with clean towel.Then treat with steriod cream.Its taken nearly 4 weeks and we still arent clear ours turned into cellulitis.If it doesnt improve with above then call the vet for stronger cream mine prescribed betnovate but there are lots of similiar ones.

 

[Donkeymad]

Standing for a while makes many horses legs swell to a certain extent. turn out if you can, should solve the problem.

 

[hpowell]

Horses develop swollen legs because the lymphatic system in their legs is particularly dependent on movement to provide adequate drainage, and when we keep them in and effectively immobilise them we prevent this from happening. Some horses have systems that can cope with this additional strain, but others cannot. These horses are now defined as having 'stage 0' or 'latent' lymphoedema. Lymphoedema is a condition which horses are quite prone to, but is barely recognised in Britain. Poor lymphatic drainage eventually compromises the affected tissues, not least by making them more vulnerable to infection, resulting in conditions such as cellulitis and lymphangitis, and research does indicate that horses with legs that fill are more likely to get these conditions. Damage to the skin from conditions like mud fever also damages the delicate lymphatic vessels exacerbating the situation. Horses with legs that fill should not be kept in! They should be encouraged to move as much as possible through turn out. Research has also shown that stable bandages can stop the flow of lymph in the lower leg and whilst this can prevent them 'filling up' it also stops the drainage necessary for tissue health, and may be why some previously unaffected horses develop filled legs after being on box rest and stable bandaged. Only the gentlest of creams, gels etc should be applied to the skin on the lower legs of these horses because it is so easily damaged, and veterinary advice should be sought at the first hint of infection to avoid conditions like lymphangitis. Manual lymph drainage by a qualified equine practitioner helps as can specialised support 'stockings' afterwards, although these can be fiddly and not all horses (or owners!) take to having them put on.