Experience with Lymphangitis ("stove pipe leg")
I have an 11 year old OTTB gelding that I've had for about a year. For the first 6 months me didn't have a single lameness issue and he had come through the pre-purchase pretty clean (x-rays and all). However in the last six months he's had two bouts (both left hind leg) of what appear to be lymphangitis, which basically means his entire leg swelled up for no discernible reason. I've had two different equine vet clinics look at him. Both clincs sent two vets out, so I've had input from a total of four vets so far. We were hoping that the first time was an isolated incident, but it's become apparent that this is likely a recurring issue. As far as I can tell, there's no "cure" only maintenance and it depends on the horse for what works and what doesn't. So far we have not found what works, that leg now always has a little filling in it (his other three legs are perfectly clean). He appears to be sound and comfortable and we are working on bring him back into condition from his most recent "attack".
Prior to the first time, he was out on 24 hour turnout with a small group of other horses. Afterward, I started keeping him in the stall and making sure that he gets worked everyday (this means I have to pay someone to ride him when I can't make it). I've tried cold hosing before and after every ride. I've tried wrapping with just a standing bandage and I've tried heat wraps. I've tried having him hand-walked in the am and then worked in the pm and the swelling may go down during exercise, but it always comes back shortly thereafter. I've prolonged the cool out time to 15 minutes of walking after each ride and that may have caused some improvement, but not a lot.
Does anyone have any experience with this condition and what methods worked with their horses? I'm becoming concerned that if this keeps recurring I may have to put him down, which makes me incredibly sad because he appears to be otherwise healthy. Before it comes to that, though, I want to make sure that I have done everything in my power to help him.
For reference here is a picture of his leg the first time (I had just finished hosing it off). This is 1.5 days after receiving IV antibiotics and then oral SMZ's 2x a day plus bute.
And here is his about 6 weeks after the first time. (The undermuscle on his neck is seriously reduced now compared to then)
