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  Discussion on Sudden Swelling all 4 legs
Author Message
New Member:
deb227

Posted on Monday, Sep 21, 2009 - 10:00 am:

I have a 9 yo horse that is HYPP positive. I noticed he had some swelling of all 4 legs from his below his knees down and including his cornet bands. He is not lame . He has not been stalled or had his feed or hay changed. He seems to have a slight fever(I do not have a way to take his temp) He is eating and drinking well. He did have a strangles vaccine 2 weeks ago.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 22, 2009 - 7:51 am:

Welcome Deborah,
I don't see a question in your post but I presume you are wondering why your horses legs are swelling? Taking the horses temperature and examining the legs and nature of the swelling are prerequisites for attempting a diagnosis. While the swelling is most certainly edema we cannot tell from your post if this is from inflammation in the legs or passive edema from some other disorder. The article associated with this discussion describes how to tell the difference and should be reviewed. Once you determine what type of edema you have the article provides links to articles on the various types of leg swelling.

Because of the history of recent Strangles vaccination the possibility of the serious complication of Purpura must be considered we cover this problem Diseases of Horses » Respiratory System » Strangles & Streptococcus equi.

Deborah, if you think the horse has a fever or the legs are hot, I would recommend you have your veterinarian out preferably today.
DrO
Member:
rtrotter

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 22, 2009 - 10:25 am:

Welcome to HA Deborah,

I'd like to chime in here if I may. Dr. O is 100% correct that this may be a purpura issue due to the recent history of the strangles vaccine.

I'd also like to warn you that your vet may not connect the dots as far as the strangles vaccination and the leg fill. Mine did not and at the time neither did I ( I was not a member of HA at the time I got the reaction).

In my case, the vet did not give me a confirmed diagnosis and could not figure out what she had.

I figured it out months later, after I joined HA and read the article and a variety of posts on the subject. The problem was that it was not this mare that had gotten the strangles vaccination, it was another mare that was her pasture buddy that got the shot. I believe that other mare shed the bacteria/virus/infection and she picked it up. At the time she was only 2 and I think her immune system was not as strong as the others ( much older horses) in her herd group.

It took a very long time for the fill to go down and necessitated time off before returning to the racing wars. She was treated with anti-inflamatories and antibiotics and did eventually make a full recovery and she is still racing for me today. You definitely need to get your vet involved so that you can diffuse any other complications before they happen.

Rachelle
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