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  Discussion on Homoephatic meds for swollen neck after grazing?
Author Message
New Member:
tdiana

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 9, 2010 - 10:53 am:

Thanks to this wonderful website, I have found out that the swelling my Shire mare has after grazing is an edema. She looks like a 1900 pound chip monk after coming in from pasture!

A friend has recommended a homeopathic remedy for this called “Lymphomyosot”. Before I go out and spend who knows what on this medicine I would like to pick your brains to see if anyone has had experiences with his particular remedy or any other for that matter. Also are there any other tips and tricks that could assist with this issue.
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 9, 2010 - 3:33 pm:

Diana,

Here is a site that calls this a "dubious product:"

https://www.homeowatch.org/reg/BHI/lymphomyosot.html
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 9, 2010 - 5:43 pm:

Welcome Diana,
I am assuming from the history that this is "dependent edema" a common thing following long periods of grazing. As to the the Lymphomyosot what is in it? Truly homeopathic preparations, very dilute solutions of herbal extracts, are simply not effective other than as a placebo after all they are diluted to the point that they are just water.
DrO
New Member:
tdiana

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 9, 2010 - 9:43 pm:

The list of ingredients is long but unclear. There are no measurable amounts listed of anything. I will not purchase the product. I have been around horses all my life and just have never seen such swellings in connection with grazing. It is great to be informed about this now and not have to worry. THANK YOU!
Member:
rtrotter

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 10, 2010 - 6:21 am:

Hello Diana and Welcome to HA,

Does the swelling go down when left in the stall for at least 12 hours?

And previous to this edema episode had she been stalled for any length of time? Say for an injury or illness?

I had something similar happen to my racemare about two years ago. It happened after a serious race accident where she wound up not being allowed out for about three weeks (She was exercised every day, just not allowed in the field), previous to the accident she had been out almost 24/7. At first I thought it was something in the field she was in, but no other horses got it and when I moved to a completely different farm the condition went with her. If I left her in the swelling went completely away and limited outside time was ok.

I felt at the time that something else was going on with her, maybe having to do with her body trying to fight off the effects of all the drugs she was on while healing from her accident.
We went through about 3 months of poor performance, leg swelling and jowl edema before I broke down and put her on a long term program of SMZ tabs. Within 5 days, legs went down, jowls went down and her attitude and performance went up. The condition has not returned and she was back to being her own wicked self ( her name is Wicked Persuasion).

When trying to figure out what's going on with my horses, I have the benefit of their history. When I mentioned what was going on with this mare to the vet( who hadn't been involved previously), he told me it had been too long a time frame between the accident and the onset of the symptoms, but when I started looking at the time frame everything revolved around the accident and recuperation.

I am not a vet, but I have been around horses for quite some time and sometimes the obvious is not what it appears to be. I would definitely check out your horses paddock, in case it is an environmental issue ( weeds, etc) that is causing the problem.

Some horses defy the odds when it comes to the things that happen to them.

Rachelle
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 10, 2010 - 6:46 am:

Since Rachelle presents no clear evidence of infection I would emphasize her statement that "sometimes things are not what they it appears to be". It may have just been time for things to heal and the antibiotic use incidental to the horse getting well. This sort of thing is common.

However her admonition that there are possible serious causes of head swelling is absolutely true. Are there any other symptoms or history Diana?
DrO
New Member:
tdiana

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 10, 2010 - 8:57 am:

My mare "Trish" is otherwise very healthy. The only odd thing is that the very first time that I ever saw this type of swelling on her was last spring about 10 days after she got some vaccines (Tetanus, West Nile etc. a combination vaccine). A coincidence? Other than that she is full of energy. Our horses are outside (with access to shelter 24/7) and access to grass only during the day. At least once a day the whole herd (Arabians, Mustangs ect.) start a "group race" and play at high speed. She goes right along with them thundering down the pasture without any signs of distress. About a year ago, she had a problem with ear mites which almost immediately improved after two doses of a medication/insectizide where DrOpped into her ear.
New Member:
tdiana

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 10, 2010 - 9:17 am:

Rachelle,
I forgot to answer your question. Yes, the swelling goes away every time she is brought back from pasture. I would say it disappears within probably less than 12 hours every time. If the horses are in their main coral like the always are over night, they eat from either a round bale or feed bins inside the shelters. During hay eating like that she never develops the swelling. It is most definitely connected to the head being positioned at absolute ground level for an extended period of time. It is also obvious that the longer she has been grazing the bigger the swelling becomes. During the summer, I thought it had something to do with the heat but now that it is winter I can say that is not the case.
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