Second Random Question About Drafts: Milk Leg | The Horse Forum

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Daffodil2018 D So I understand that milk leg is actually lymphedema, a condition which I familiar with as a human patient. The most helpful therapy that I have seen is fairly simple: support hose or special pressure sleeves, along with lymphedema massages and kenesio taping. I am curious as to how this applies to drafts, a category of horse which seems to be particularly prone to milk leg. Has anyone tried the above remedies for milk leg in horses? Has anyone ever tried support garments for these horse's legs as a preventative measure? Much of the successful human lymphedema treatment that I see is very proactive, for example, wearing the pressure sleeve on flights to prevent build up of lymph fluid in the affected area. It would make sense to me to try the same thing in a horse. TIA, Teresa Status Not open for further replies. #1 · Nov 27, 2017 So I understand that milk leg is actually lymphedema, a condition which I familiar with as a human patient. The most helpful therapy that I have seen is fairly simple: support hose or special pressure sleeves, along with lymphedema massages and kenesio taping. I am curious as to how this applies to drafts, a category of horse which seems to be particularly prone to milk leg. Has anyone tried the above remedies for milk leg in horses? Has anyone ever tried support garments for these horse's legs as a preventative measure? Much of the successful human lymphedema treatment that I see is very proactive, for example, wearing the pressure sleeve on flights to prevent build up of lymph fluid in the affected area. It would make sense to me to try the same thing in a horse. TIA, Teresa Sort by Oldest first Oldest first Newest first Most reactions #2 · Nov 27, 2017 Here's a good link with some info: Seeking answers for skin disease in draft horses It seems to be genetic, and I have read that people can manage it better using compression wraps as you describe. But it sounds like the actual lymphatic drainage system gets thickened and torturous so it becomes difficult for the fluid to go away. Because it is a progressive problem and one that can become so bad even when managed with compression that a horse has to be put down, I'd avoid getting any draft that had a reported history of lymphedema or signs of swelling in the legs. In its earliest, subtle phase it can just manifest as scratches, so I'd be concerned about a draft that had even a mild case of scratches that I was looking at as well. It affects Shires, Clydesdale and Belgians. #3 · Nov 27, 2017 You can get some relief but it is not something you can wrap on and walk away. Because of the way the leg is put together you have to be really careful and attentive or you can create other issues that compound and compromise the leg further. Not saying you can use and not take care or not be vigilant with humans but with a horse you'd want to be hyper vigilant. I have one with this and after years of the swelling coming and going and trying various treatments swelling is now permanent. Some days are worse than others but what is most helpful is to keep them moving. #4 · Nov 27, 2017 It is a circulatory problem of the lymphatic system, and is no more benign then a problem with the blood circulation system, being progressive Here is some info on the lymphatic system of horses, and the importance of movement The Lymphatic System | Equine MLD A very good article, from which the following paragraph is taken: 'The lymphatic system is an "open" circulatory system, which is designed to counteract the cardiovascular system's loss of fluid. In other words, its role is to return the lost liquid to the bloodstream. The elements of the lymphatic system gather liquid from the body and return it to cardiovascular circulation. Open-ended lymph capillaries gather fluids of diffusion and carry them through a series of progressively larger vessels to two large lymphatic vessels, which resemble veins. These two lymphatic vessels drain into veins through one-way valves. While the heart is the key component in pumping blood through the circulatory system, it is not directly involved in moving fluid along or through the lymphatic vessels. Instead, fluid is driven through the lymphatic system when its vessels are squeezed by the movements of the body's muscles. The lymphatic vessels contain a series of one-way valves that permit movement in only one direction--into the circulatory system.' Lymphangitis in Horses | TheHorse.com #5 · Nov 27, 2017 I wonder if keeping fetlocks clipped on draft horses, from an early age, would help prevent the start of this problem. I guess there is also a genetic predisposition, and thus found this, far as management: 'Chronic progressive lymphedema is a disorder of many draft horse breeds that presents with progressive swelling of the distal portions of the legs. This is associated with scaling, marked dermal fibrosis, and the development of skin folds and nodules. There seems to be a genetic predisposition to altered elastin metabolism and impaired function of the lymphatic system in the distal extremities. Management is palliative and involves keeping the feathers clipped short, treating secondary infections, daily exercise and skin care, hydrotherapy, manual lymph drainage and compression bandaging. #6 · Nov 28, 2017 The feathering on Belgians is really light, nothing like the heavy feathered Clydes and Shires, Vanners... and this group lighter than most. We have never had a problem until this one mare. She has been clipped ever since the first appearance. Hope to never have another with it. A couple of the other Belgians have had their round with scratches. We clipped them as well. Theirs all cleared up. Status Not open for further replies. You have insufficient privileges to reply here.

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