What is engorgement in horses?
It is a localized swelling at the level of one or more limbs, more generally at the level of the fetlock and/or the cannon, but it can extend from the base of the foot to the hock. It is an edema (infiltration of interstitial fluid) which is localized at the level of the limb by the effect of gravity. The causes are varied, but the most common is a lack of venous return or caused by inflammation.
- Lack of movement does not allow blood to circulate properly from the foot to the rest of the body, which causes symmetrical edema of the hind limbs or, more rarely, all four limbs. It is enough to walk the horse for about twenty minutes to see an improvement.
- Engorgement following trauma is localized and corresponds to a hematoma (accumulation of blood in the skin tissue) observed on a single limb.
- Engorgement caused by infection is a serious condition that should not be neglected called LYMPHANGITIS. The inflammation is due to a germ that causes infection and inflammation of the lymphatic tissue. You should contact your veterinarian quickly.
- Engorgement caused by inflammation of the tendons: tendonitis or fetlock sprain. There is localized and asymmetrical diffuse edema of the limbs. Possible appearance after trauma, a fall, unsuitable work, etc. associated with lameness.
Treatment depends on the cause of the engorgement. For the most common cause, which is lack of movement causing engorgement of two or four limbs following edema that does not require a veterinary visit: the horse must be walked, cold showers, clay applied, rest bandages (for horses living in boxes, the time the rest bandages are applied must be limited to a few hours and the rest bandages must be correctly applied so as not to risk injuring the animal). "A visit to your equine osteopath can help to check that the horse has good mobility and general circulation throughout its body. Movement is key: allow it to spend as many hours as possible outside its box walking and grazing."
_ Quinta de Lourel and SVOA
_ Sharone Villaret, animal osteopath