Edema on abdomen of older horse??

[twine]

Hey guys,

I have a 25 year old Arab gelding. In his past check ups, he hasn't had a major health problems. General signs of aging but nothing really serious.

I noticed last night that the area starting from behind his chest, moving along his abdomen was edematous. Definitely edema because it feels like memory foam when I compress it. It goes in about 1/2-1 inch I would say. It's an area about 2ft (length) by 15in (width) starting from a couple inches behind his "elbow" and stopping a couple inches before his sheath. His sheath also looks swollen but the edema doesn't spread up to it.

I called the vet immediately this morning and she suggested I start him on an IM injection of Lasix/Furosemide. She didn't actually sound all too worried about it, basically said just keep watching it and we will take further steps if needed. I didn't get a chance to get the Lasix because of work but definitely will tomorrow!

So, I don't think it's a reaction to feed. I've had him on Triple Crown Lite, beet pulp, flaxseed, MSM, and BOSS but not recently as my feed store has to order more in...he never has had a problem being either on or off it..flies aren't bad here yet so I don't think it's either of those things.

Just looking for more input if any of you have seen or heard of this before and what could be causing it! He hasn't had any other symptoms..months ago he had a mucous discharge but it was only for a day and my other horses never got exhibited symptoms. He hasn't been coughing or having trouble breathing..just a little slower than normal. He had a mini episode a week or two ago, everyone was having a good roll, he got up and I thought he was going to roll again because he started kinda going down, then it looked like he lost his balance, started swaying and staggering,then went down. He stayed down for a minute or two then got back up and started eating again. He hasn't done anything like that since. Currently, he is still eating and drinking fine, alert, hollers at me when I go out to feed. I almost wish I had more to go off of so we could figure out the problem!

Any help would be soooo appreciated!! Thanks in advance!

[MaryS]

Welcome to the board! Sorry to hear about your guy, I hope he gets better. I've only treated swelling due to injury (neck wound and swelling moved down to chest). Besides treating the wound, we would hydro with cold water for 15-20 minutes on the neck.

Besides what the vet said, it couldn't hurt to hydro with cold water for help with the swelling. Let us know how he is doing.

[twine]

It's been about 100 years since I was active on here last and wow, a lot has changed! Totally different formatting!

I definitely hope so too I keep running out to check on him!

I could try that and see if anything changes!

Thanks for the reply!

[ghostrider]

I'm sorry to hear about his swelling but the first thing I'd do if it were me is ..
GET A VET OUT! don't take advice from a vet over the phone or if possible put him in a trailer and take him to the vet. Why would a vet not want to see a horse that is exhibiting severe symptoms?

Hope he takes a turn for the better. As for what it could be? the only thing I can think is allergic reaction? but then I'm no vet and it doesn't sound simple.

[horsespoiler]

You mentioned other horses, could one of them have kicked him? We had an older mare get one on the back of her hip but there were signs of a disagreement. One other time the mare had her whole front leg swell about 2-3 times normal was due to a rattlesnake bite just above her coronet band. Since she was still fluffy it was hard to find the bite but the vet found it right off. I don't know where you are at so I don't know if that is a consideration in your area or if you have other nasties.

[vsolubo]

Some older horses do tend develop edemas along their underside; but it can also be a sign of liver &/or heart failure, so for a vet to be nonchalant about it is surprising. When was the last time you had the vet draw blood to check the health of his organs? I'd have the vet do this ASAP

[horsespoiler]

How is your horse doing? Any cause or prognosis on the edema?