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  Discussion on Lymphangitis treatment
Author Message
Member:
Skye

Posted on Sunday, Aug 7, 2005 - 11:16 am:

Maybe putting the questions first is most efficient?


(1) How long can the swelling of lymphangitis take to go away? Did I read in "Swollen Legs" it might never go away?

(2) How much yogurt would be good for a horse on 10 days of smz's?
(3) How much handwalking is indicated for a horse out from 5-11 hours a day, depending on the weather?
(4) Could my mare's noticeably decreased grain ingestion be anything other than recurrent ulcers?
(5) When should the vet come again for a look?


Here's the history:
My 21-year-old mare, who has been 2 months off Gastrogard and doing super, came down very suddenly with lymphangitis in her left hind 7 days ago. She received veterinary treatment on the day the symptoms arose, including dexamethasone and lasix, along with Banamine and smz's.

The pain reduced substantially; by the next day she was bearing weight on that leg. She stayed in for one day.

She is getting a tube of Ulcergard every day for at least 14 days.

She is eating as much hay as always, if not a little more, but is not very interested in her grain. The vet seems concerned about this.

More people should know about lymphangitis. I've met many experienced horse people to whom this is brand new.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Aug 7, 2005 - 6:03 pm:

Hello Ellie,
1) Yes some horses with prolonged swelling have the tissues loose elasticity or even have scar tissue form from the coagulated serum so the legs remain swollen. The legs will remain swollen at least until you have the cause of the inflammation controlled.
2) It is uncertain that commercial yogurt will help for more on this see Care for Horses » Nutrition » Probiotics and Yeast Culture Products.
3) None, if the horse is on pasture that much on his own.
4) Almost any illness might cause a decrease in feed intake.
5) Anytime you are uncertain about something you see or the situation does not seem to be improving.

The one problem I see is that many infections are resistant to TMP-SMZ's and if response is slow I think you should consider adding daily gentamicin or possibly switching to Naxcel (ceftiofur) at least until you can be guided by culture.
DrO
Member:
Skye

Posted on Sunday, Aug 7, 2005 - 9:04 pm:

Dr. O. You have walked with Skye and me through several years of "stuff." Your advice is invaluable. Thank you doesn't feel like enough.

New news: Between 9:30 am and 2:30 pm the remaining swelling went down significantly. Astonishing speed!

Appetite seems to be coming back today.

I'm betting trauma from kicking at the stud colt in the adjacent pasture (home again after several months away) and connecting with the fence might have been the cause; the fetlock itself, in the back of her leg is still swollen.

I'm very glad to know about the gentamicin and Naxcel and will tuck those two away in my brain.

I cannot thank you enough, Dr. O. I really can't.
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