Vasculitis

poiuytrewq

poiuytrewq

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My horse had it diagnosed and treated a few years ago. I thought it was just a one off but he's got it again. I've only just realised tonight that's what it is, so have been trying to do a little research.
Searching this forum i see links between not only UV (which i knew from last time is responsible) but horses eating hedges- Anyone have any more details on this?
What kind of hedge and how does it effect the condition? I can then find out what and if necessary remove and hedges by my field.
More worrying to me is the mention of liver disease. This is a horse who has most definitely had more than his share of pain killers over his life and for long periods fairly regularly.
He's very sore- the worst bit if on his inner hind fetlock and he actually tried to kick me when i was trying to get a closer look/feel today which is really unlike him.
Not sure if i should be considering UV boots now? I thought the first time round it was a one off but now understand its more than likely going to be ongoing.
I still have the steroid cream the vets made up for him last time but obviously its old so will speak to the vets tomorrow and check its ok or order more.

Any other stories/suggestions/idea's
 
When my older lad had this the UV/Fly boots from horseware were very good and did the trick. I'd recommend then, they are fairly reasonable and lasted well. He'd had his (normally hairy) legs unintentionally clipped, so once the hair grew back it did the sun block job again :)
He's got pemphigus (an autoimmune condition) and the vasculitis was related to that in his case. Once the pemphigus was under control and it all calmed down.
 
My mare has it on and off (she is 23) and I am convinced it is as a result of a suppressed immune system coupled with external factors (long wet grass making the skin soggy/UV/buttercups). My horses have mixed hedges on two sides of the field but I would not link vasculitis to the hedge at all.

The sire and dam both suffered from vasculitis (but they also had white legs). The dam had it very badly when she arrived (she came with loads of creams and potions) but it cleared up and never reappeared suggesting some local conditions in her old home were not repeated in her new home. She had no liver problems.

The sire had it on and off in later life, he then got it really badly and this was linked to his immune system and liver problems (but he was 29 at the time).

Regarding my mare - this year I have given 10 drops of tincture of horse chestnut twice a day for a few days at first signs of vasculitis and it definitely helped. I find as soon as I touch it with creams or potions it flares up far better to treat from within (imo).
 
Thankyou both.
Ok I'll ignore the hedge thing which I'm pleased about as he loves having hedges to graze on.
Buttercups make perfect sense. I noticed it when we had to swap fields due to daughters horse getting his nose burnt.
I'd definitely rather not use steroids if at all possible as the slightest bit on my face flares up a horrible reaction and without fail I seem to manage it!
So I've just bought a set of boots on ebay (surprisingly cheap) so will give that a go.
Also interested in the tincture of horse chestnut. Do you put it in a feed or how is it best given? I imagine I can get it from a chemist or online?
Thank again. Poor old hoss it's one thing after another.
 
Yes I got it from the chemist - this is the one http://www.avogel.co.uk/herbal-remedies/aesculus-hippocastanum/

I mix it with a bit of water then add it to the feed (the bottle conveniently drips into drops if you turn it upside down). I give it for 3 - 5 days then stop as soon as it improves. My mare is a fussy thing but didn't mind the drops.

I tried it after a recommendation on here - her legs were very sore and I was about to phone the vet and get some UV boots but thought I would try the horse chestnut (I also took her off the field with buttercups as well) and she got better quickly.

I hope your horse gets better soon - it is horrible to see them suffering.

ETS - My mare is 15.2 Arab but I think that dose is universal.
 
I'm annoyed with myself for not preventing this. He didn't have any signs last summer or the summer before. It must have been the summer before that he first had it.
They are out of the buttercups. It's a shame as it's our main summer grazing but there is some kind of rule it can't be sprayed and topping is virtually impossible.
Adorable Alice!- so you use the boots as prevention. Do you put them on and leave 24/7? Can they be removed in duller weather?
Would covering his legs while I wait for the boots to be delivered a good or bad idea?
 
Id be interested to know more about the uv boots. Both mine had LV last summer and despite various vet trials we never got on top of it - winter was the only cure. The only change to their routine was spending 4 weeks in the hay field after it was harvested. It had a lot of buttercups pre-cut, which is the only possible trigger I can identify. The vet wouldn't have it at all; he doesn't think horses can physically ingest enough to cause LV. But this year they've stayed on their normal summer grazing with zero buttercups and lots of marsh...no LV so far, touch wood.
But if it does return, we'll need to try boots as nothing else works. Its a horrible thing to deal with and I sympathise with everyone who has to.
 
Oh now i thought it was contact of the skin with the buttercups rather than them eating them.
I'm still confused as to weather its a skin condition- some sites imply its nothing worse than whereas others it sounds like the end of the world.
Nudibranch, I'll let you know re. the boots
 
I watch the weather closely and make decisions about boots always putting on unless the forecast is wet or totally overcast. The horse has a very strict routine which he evolves for himself. He has a large barn and puts himself to bed as it gets dusk or if it is about to rain. Today he will have his boots off around 7 to 8pm and they will go back on at 6ish in the morning. I use baby powder under the boots to help with any sweating, but to be fair the UV boots don't seem to make the legs sweat.

My horse developed the condition last year when I applied cow salve to sore mud fever legs, the sun came out and effectively fried his 3 white legs, a sock in front and two tall socks behind. I very nearly lost him, it was horrific and all my fault. He could not have steroids as he is cushinoid. I will take some pictures when I go to do him this evening and you can see how his legs are now.

Covering the legs now whilst waiting for boots to arrive would be a good idea. I used cotton tea towels folded over and taped onto the leg using soffbann as padding for the tape. The same principle as yorkshire boots but fitted much higher up the cannon. I would strongly recommend not using any creams or oils on legs that are exposed to the sun.
 
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Oh Lord. I've really toughened up since retiring him re. Avidly checking weather and running out to dress/undress the horses! Back to that then ;)
I was a bit concerned about rubs but that's not so bad if he can have them left off sometimes at least.
I've just bought some Shires ones aswell thinking I can alternate to further prevent rubbing.
The tea towel idea is fab! I'd been thinking bandages but he's had tendon trouble in the past so I don't want heat!
Thank you AA really helpful.
 
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