She’s never simple

Jessey

Jessey

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Dec 20, 2004
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Just wondering if the hive mind has any thoughts, Jess right fore had the odd (very slight) pastern swelling last year, we xrayed and scanned it to no avail, she wasn’t lame on it so we weren’t panicking about it, then with her heart diagnosis and subsequent retirement in January it’s not been top of the worries list.

I noticed over winter it didn’t grow as much coat as normal/the other leg, and since the change of coat it’s started going white :eek: And the last couple of days it’s been pretty hot (still not lame)

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I spoke to my vet who thinks possibly vascular, or referral to a dermatologist, but isn’t overly concerned to investigate further given all her other issues and it could be a secondary problem from her heart. I’m just wondering if anyone has any thoughts or things they might try before opening the money pit?
 
No idea although my first thought was heart related, before you said the vet could be heart or dermatologist.

Im actual thinking human comparison in relation to my mum and her swollen legs. Ok she has a weight issue too. She had all these strange symptoms over a period of time. Things the normal dr couldn't put his finger on as to why. When she saw the heart specialist they said they are all related to her heart. She was told she was a very complex an interesting case.

Have you tried posting on that veterinary fb group. The one where only qualified vets can reply or something. Not sure what its call. Maybe they might have some ideas.
 
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I haven’t posted there recently, I did before and was told she needs special shoes, which didn’t fill me with enthusiasm for it.

Thinking about it just now, I’m going to slap the back on track boots on and see if they help, if not next week I’ll try the magnetic bands (as I already have both), I don’t think either will do any harm and who knows may help a bit. I’ve also got kinesiology tape on hand so that could be another thing to try.

I think my vet really feels it’s heart related, and so any investigation would be pretty fruitless, I would just like to get ahead of any downward spiral if I can to keep her comfortable for as long as possible.
 
Swellings and circulation would go hand in hand with any heart issues.

My toe nails don’t grow much at all due to the poor circulation in my feet apparently. My feet are always cold unless in socks and shoes or in 23+ heat even then they are room temp, only ever get hot when I’m unwell.

I knew a horse that had a heart condition that was prone to swellings and they thought it small clots so the horse got aspirin as and when needed. This was years ago now mind you.
 
I thought heart too initially, based like @chunky monkey on my experience of my Mums edema, but doesn’t that usually affect both legs, I’m not a doctor or a vet but to me it suggests a blockage or weakness in the veins which is not allowing proper blood flow, so it’s pooling.
I am probably p***ing in the wind though, not even sure that is a thing.
 
I could only say what's already been said - but I'd maybe try the magnetic bands - can't hurt? Or maybe some magnetic boots? I swear by the Equilibrium ones for Storm, they do help with puffiness and such - just a thought.
 
Just had another thought. If the vet knows about her heart etc would it be worth trying some complimentary herbs aimed at circulation issues? If she's not on any heart medication then it won't interfere.
 
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It only ever swelled a tiny bit 24h after exercise, only that 1 leg and didn’t go down with further exercise which is unusual (it’s usually both hinds in horses as they’re furthest from the heart), it’s not swollen really since she retired and isn’t currently.

I accept the heart is probably involved, but for the coat to loose pigment in that specific area is weird and what can I do to minimise the impact of likely compromised circulation?
 
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Hmm, Ginger is good for circulation, I’ll have to look up if it’s ok for horses and check in with the vet. The problem we have is we don’t actually know exactly what is causing the murmur, if it’s a leaky valve any kind of blood thinner could make it significantly worse.
 
Jessey said:
Hmm, Ginger is good for circulation, I’ll have to look up if it’s ok for horses and check in with the vet. The problem we have is we don’t actually know exactly what is causing the murmur, if it’s a leaky valve any kind of blood thinner could make it significantly worse.
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Oh heck yes check with the vet, you're right you don't want to make things worse.
 
The other thing, does heart related oedema normally get hot? I’ve not noticed it to before, I usually associate heat with infection.
 
Well comparing to my mum, her legs get hot and bright red some days. To answer @Kite_Rider. My mums legs swell differently. Her more swollen leg i think is the opposite side to her heart, so maybe the blood doesnt circulate to that side of the body so easily. It also effects her feet quite badly. She can barely get shoes on her feet.
 
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If the heart problem has reduced her circulation to the leg then would it be unreasonable to think the hair follicles may have been damaged as a result, or even damaged from the constant pressure of the swelling?

I would be inclined to check with the vet to be sure the magnets are safe with a heart problem, I have a feeling that with some human heart conditions people are advised not to use them.
 
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carthorse said:
If the heart problem has reduced her circulation to the leg then would it be unreasonable to think the hair follicles may have been damaged as a result, or even damaged from the constant pressure of the swelling?

I would be inclined to check with the vet to be sure the magnets are safe with a heart problem, I have a feeling that with some human heart conditions people are advised not to use them.
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yes you’re right about the magnets, people with abnormal rhythm are advised to steer clear - I never thought when replying as I was just thinking of puffiness
 
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Good info @Ale something for me to read up/ask about, if I know it’s not causing any further problem I’m not worried about it.

Good to know mums swellings get hot @chunky monkey (not for her obviously) but at least I don’t need to worry about infection so much.

@carthorse the leg never swelled enough to cause any damage, it was only ever a lack of definition between the ligaments, never actually fat to skin stretching proportions, but yes a lack of blood flow could still have caused damage, it just seems so odd that it’s so localised. Good warning on the magnets too, I’ll ask the vet before trying those.
 
I’m guessing it’s not leukoderma @Ale as she hasn’t lost pigment of the skin (I looked last night) just the hair so far. Leukotrichia is the name specific to pigmentation loss in just the hair, both can be part of vitiligo but it doesn’t appear to fit the diagnostic rules for that either.
The heat in it had gone yesterday, that was the main thing concerning me as it had come on suddenly, but perhaps it was unrelated and she’d just clonked it.
 
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