Swollen legs or filled legs in a horse are a condition that occurs due to the leaking of fluid from a blood vessel or tissues. Sometimes this problem may be minor or other times it will be serious. The filled legs in a horse exist in any one leg or the hind leg or on all four.
Typically the swelling of the leg in a single or occur in the hind leg is called stocking up this is quite common to young ones or older ones. It occurs mainly due to the issue in a coronary band or between the fetlocks.
Filled legs in Horse
If the swelling occurs in the lower part of the body, then it is due to a fluid leak. This condition is known as edema and causes serious issues like scratches, cuts, cellulitis, or lymphangitis. In those conditions, it is important to have a veterinarian check-up for further treatment.
Cellulitis is an inflammation on the horse skin whereas lymphangitis develops the inflammation into deeper tissue problems. Both of these conditions mainly occurred due to bacterial infection and because of some open wounds. It has to be treated immediately and requires proper veterinary care.
Symptoms of filled leg in horses
The symptoms of swollen legs include swollen leg in joint, painful limbs, loss of appetite, fever, painful limbs, the leg seeming to be warm while touching it, trauma to the limbs, difficulty in walking, sleepless nights, cuts on the legs, scratches on the lower legs, lethargy, swollen legs in more than one leg, and lameness.
Several types of filled legs occur in horses. Some of the common swelling types are cellulitis, lymphangitis, windgall, edema, suspensor injuries, arthritis, and degenerative joint disease.
Causes of Swollen Leg in Horses
There are several reasons for a filled leg in horses. The most common causes are not enough exercise, too much fat, excessive diet, stall confinement, bruising, overfeeding, exposure of skin to moisture, excessive protein diet, obesity, insect bite, exposure to pollution, skin problems, infections, trauma, inflammation in the skin, vessels, tissues, or joints, and some allergic reactions.
It is difficult to find the cause of filled legs. To avoid this scenario regular supplements and exercise help in the reduction of swollen legs in the horse. It is important to maintain the diet and keep the living space hygienic to provide the best result.
Diagnosis of Swollen Leg in Horses
If you find swollen legs or inflammation in the horse, it has to be treated immediately. To begin the diagnosis process, check the history of stocking up and look at the severity of the symptoms to help for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Call the veterinary doctor for further treatment. The veterinarian performs a physical examination of the horse and checks the condition of the cause. The swollen legs are minor or in major condition, hence the veterinarian advises taking laboratory tests to know about the severity.
He also looks at the blood protein, diet, and temperature of the horse. He also performs ultrasound tests if needed. In the case of suspected cellulitis or lymphangitis, he initiates filled legs horses treatment.
Treatment of Filled Legs in Horses
In case of minor stocking up, the veterinarian recommends a gentle massage with oil and wearing a bandage or leg brace to the horse. In worst cases the veterinarian recommends the following treatment;
Washing legs with cold water
Wash the horse’s leg with cold water helps in case of mild or moderate stocking up of the horse. The cold water contains ice compress the heat helps ease swelling.
Treating Abscesses
In the lower legs, the veterinarian checks for any occurrences of scratches, bites, parasites, or other trauma in a horse. He then drained the abscesses by treating them with a recommended antiseptic. He cleanses the affected area and put on a bandage for fast recovery.
Antibiotics & Anti-inflammatory
In serious cases like the occurrence of cellulitis or lymphangitis, the veterinarian prescribes anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and swelling. The antibiotics recommended by the vet help with blood circulation and fast recovery.
Summing it up:
A swollen or filled leg is a symptom of serious medication treatment. A regular check-up with the veterinarian helps with an early stage of diagnosis and treatment. Maintaining good health, diet, exercise, and prompt attention to scratches help minimize the contraction of swelling condition.
