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  Discussion on Swollen back left leg
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New Member:
Chellis6

Posted on Saturday, Oct 8, 2005 - 11:40 pm:

Hello As we went to do night feed on Monday evening. We found our stallion’s hind left leg swollen from the hip down to hooves. A tempt. Of 104. In addition, not standing on it. We could not find any puncture wounds on him at all checked the hooves if something was in there. We began to hose him down and call the vet. .the thing is he was in his stalls most of the day because having heavy rains that day. He does kick out with his hind legs against the walls. The walls are wood planks with plywood over them. We have only had him for three months with no problems before.
When the vet arrived, his temperature DrOpped down to 102. Heart rate was up ,gums where fine. Breathing was fine Have to mention during the whole time he was busy eating and would drink. The vet could not see any puncture wounds on him either. In addition, mentioned that it might be broken. She gave him penicillin, steroids, tetanus, shots. Left us with Bute and antibiotics to give him. Told us if he lies down there would be no way to get him up and would have to put him down. There was no way we would be able to get him on trailer and take to vet hospital two hours away. Also said that if he does not put weight on leg in next day or two good chance it is broken. We spent that whole night going out and putting cold compress on the leg. By morning, temperature was normal and he walked on the leg. That day was spent hosing the leg. Vet came in the afternoon and was surprised to see him walking and that some of the swelling went down. The next days was hosing ,poultice ,and dmso his leg. During this time he would be really touch on the inside of the hock area. Also could feel some heat in front of hock area ,also the muscle running up the inside of the leg. It is now a week later and walking on the leg with a slight limp even when turned out in round pen trots. The thing is the hock area is still quit swollen you can start to see the bones. Also during all this, he has lost 200lbs from all the stress. Hoping to next week get him on trailer, go, and get x-rays done on hock and fetlock and hoof.
Here is my question anyone else have had this problem with there horse? In addition, if so what did you find wrong and do to help.

I have asked our vet if we can possible give him a different antibiotic medication. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY thoughts OUT THERE.
He is no longer getting the Bute, and the antibiotics ,we are still hosing, DMSO, and poultice at night.
Member:
Angel77

Posted on Sunday, Oct 9, 2005 - 1:09 am:

Dear Esther,

I had a client with a Leopard appaloosa stallion 5 yrs old. He came out of his stall one day on 2 legs. He was never a stall kicker.

He was diagnosed with Lymphangitis. The vet said it was like a severe cold/flu like bug that affects the legs. His temp was 104 when the vet came. She put him on 30cc of genticin once a day. 30cc of penicillin 2x daily 12 hours apart. 1-2 grams of Bute 2x daily depending on his pain level. Also prescribed was to wrap him all the way around to help support both the front and hind legs. Walking 15min daily if he was up to it and hosing his legs constantly. I found a great ice product called Trainer's Choice 5000. That worked well to keep the swelling down while we were on walks and his wraps were off.

The swelling would go down a little bit each day. Each week he would get a little stronger as he too had lost at least 150lbs over the first two weeks of this problem. It seemed like forever for him to get better. He was on this regimen for two full months like clockwork.

I could walk him around the ranch bareback with a halter. He loved it. The problem was he was still off, just enough to warrant walking only. The swelling in his hind legs was very slight but definitely still there. The right hind being a little larger than the left. Just about month 3 he began to turn the corner. So as prescribed by the vet we began to walk and trot 15min a day.


The owner decided to sell the horse and I never saw him again. My heart was broken. We have two horses at our ranch who have had Lymphangitis. It seems sometimes once a horse has had it the bug remains dormant in their system until something stirs it up again.

Of course I am not saying this is what your horse has. I am just sharing my experience with you.

As always X-rays will tell you more.

Dr.O will advise you properly. Quick question Dr.O is Lymphangitis contagious?

I feel for you and your horse Esther. I am sending good thoughts your way.

Good Luck,

WTG
New Member:
Chellis6

Posted on Sunday, Oct 9, 2005 - 5:06 pm:

hi there again I also wanted to add when the vet did blood workup his phosphate level was low. What can you feed to get level up and what cause it to DrOp.Doing a little better and swelling going down slowly.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Oct 10, 2005 - 9:33 am:

I think it certainly sounds like a lymhangitis (a better term is cellulitis) and I would not have discontinued the bute until the horse was very comfortable nor the antibiotics until the symptoms were gone. So far this sounds like it is working but watch for it to flare again. For more on possible other causes and a list of rule outs for the lymphangitis itself see Equine Diseases » Lameness » Leg Swellings » Hot & Painful Legs.

Just a comment on the initial exam and the idea this might be a fracture. Horses with a broken long bone of the leg may have a mild elevation in temperature but not a remarkable fever like this horse, at least not in the beginning. Also the swelling is more localized around the fracture and not as hot as with infection. Usually the leg has a very ominous dangle to it and the bones can be heard to grate against each other if you put your ear up against the leg and gently move the leg around. The two do not look similar.
DrO
Member:
Vickiann

Posted on Monday, Oct 10, 2005 - 11:26 am:

Believe Timothy hay is high in phosphorous, and also rice bran
New Member:
Chellis6

Posted on Monday, Oct 10, 2005 - 1:36 pm:

hi again thank you for your reply. I had a feeling this is what it might be. Talked to vet this morning and we are doing another blood work up and x-rays next week on him. Here is my next thing I would appreciate if any of you who have had this problem could give me some helpful hints. If anyone out there works with herbs which ones would be good to give him also. Any supplements out there to help. Your thoughts would greatly be appreciated.
Member:
Shirl

Posted on Monday, Oct 10, 2005 - 2:11 pm:

Esther, I'm at work now, and don't have the names handy, but my Eastern/Western Vet recommended a couple after Sierra had her partial neurectomy and developed an infected tendon sheath/or possibly the beginings of a neuroma. They saved her life, given 4 x a day for 4 days. Will get back to you this evening. Shirl
Member:
Lilou

Posted on Monday, Oct 10, 2005 - 2:49 pm:

Hi Esther, from my own experience and some friends' I know that the herb Gallium Aparine is very good for the lymph system. Check with your vet also! Best Wishes!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 11, 2005 - 6:36 am:

I am glad Vicki brought up the phosphorous information. You should not adjust phosphorous by looking at the bloodwork, you should balance it by looking at the amount of calcium and phosphorous in your foodstuffs and make appropriate changes from there, see Care for Horses » Nutrition » Calcium, Phosphorus in the Diet.
DrO
Member:
Chellis6

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 2, 2005 - 8:02 pm:

Update
Doing much much better. We had the hocks x-rayed and they are fine
Second blood work was done
Phosphorus 1.9, potassium 5.2, amylase 3, calculated osmolailty 273, wbc 5.1, lymphocytes 1020.
There is still swelling in the hock area. However, more so when left in stall. He is being turned out six hours a day. After that time the leg almost looks normal. Since all this, he has been in a round pen. But the other day we left him out in pasture and he galloped trotted and even double barrel a few time. He will roll on both sides. Gaining weight. More alert. We also have been rubbing him down with absorbine, and then some nights with the DMSO.
After this last blood test the vet suggested since he is still swelling that maybe/ we hit him with smz for four to six weeks. And if swelling still shows up then. To take him to a clinic to further check for a lymphatic drainage. . Since he is a stallion.
Can you tell me what you think of some of his levels posted above? If there is anything, I could do to improve them.
I forgot to ask the vet today. With him not really being lame. But just the swelling. Should or when do you think he can again be started to get ridden?
Also as I understand this can happen again. My question is there anything you can help with building his immune system up. If anyone works with herbs, which herbs would, you suggest. Or what supplements could he be given to help.
Any other opion on this would be appreciated.
Member:
Angel77

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 2, 2005 - 10:48 pm:

Dear Esther,

To promote the immune system I use Red Cell. It is a liquid supplement. I also use immusyn by Vita Flex to bolster the immune system. I just started my horse on these supps because we just found out my horse is anemic.

I will post again in a couple of weeks to let you know if it is working or not.

Good Luck,

WTG
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Nov 3, 2005 - 10:09 am:

Estella, the findings in your blood work should not be looked upon as needing treatment per se. Instead they should be looked upon as to contributing to the diagnosis of specific disease problems which can be addressed through therapy. In short, you do not treat the bloodwork you treat the disease. The blood work helps you diagnose and follow the disease process. The best way to build a good immune system is through overall good husbandry. for instance concerning the P levels in your blood work you should double check the Ca / P levels of the diet and be sure they are adequate and balanced. For more on this see Care for Horses » Nutrition » Calcium, Phosphorus in the Diet.

Concerning WTG's statements, the problem with Red Cell is that it is based on the idea that iron deficiency causes anemia in horses. If fact forage is rich in iron so this is not a problem unless you have chronic blood loss. For more on indications on vitamin supplementation you will find them in the article Care for Horses » Nutrition » Equine Nutrition an Overview of Feeding Horses. If you feel you need a vitamin supplement, I suggest you follow our suggestions in the article on vitamins. I cannot find any of the statements of the benefits of commercially prepared orally fed milk protein concentrates fed to adult horses made about Immusyn supported by any research.
DrO
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