jtp
Newbie
Posts: 31
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Post by jtp on Jun 29, 2018 10:06:38 GMT
Has anyone got any tips? stories? etc about helping with this. My horse is currently being treated by the vet for it, But it seem's like its going to be a long slog Luckily he is still sound etc, just looking very unslighly
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Post by sjw87 on Jun 30, 2018 6:39:42 GMT
Unfortunately yes; I had a mare with a severe case of it who we successfully managed external symptoms for 5 years but sadly lost last year from the internal symptoms.
It's an auto-immune condition so do NOT feed any immune boosting supplements such as echinacea. Steroids can help to reduce the immune response but in my girl's case they only gave short term relief.
De-tox type supplements can help reduce swelling; these include milk thistle or even some laminitis based supplements (just double check they don't include echinacea).
The main symptom that is visible is photosensitivity. Cut out any alfalfa as this can increase photosensitivity. Also try and keep him off of buttercups. Turn out overnight if you can but remember it is broad daylight by 4am still so use a good UV protection rug (ideally sweetitch type as it blocks more than fly rugs; I used the Bridleway sweetitch one), UV protection fly mask and leg protection; I used shires fly boots but there are now also Whinnys Sox for Horses on the market which I've heard good reviews of. Stress can also cause a flare so try and keep him settled.
During her flare-ups I had great success with equi-med ag stable boots. Not cheap but you may find some second hand if you want to try them.
If you're on facebook then join the leukocytoclastic vasculitis support group on there; it's 99% people living in the US who suffer from LV themselves and there's only me and one other member who have/had equine cases but it gives you more insight into the symptoms and triggers for the condition. The other equine member is certainly worth getting advice from too as her vet treated her horse differently to how mine did and sourced some medication from the US if I remember rightly.
The positive in your situation is that you have a diagnosis; it's commonly misdiagnosed and therefore not suitably treated.
Please feel free to PM me to ask more or add me on fb; I really wish you all the best with your boy.
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Post by sjw87 on Jun 30, 2018 6:58:47 GMT
Just to add; have a look at filtabac cream too as it can help topically.
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jtp
Newbie
Posts: 31
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Post by jtp on Jul 1, 2018 17:42:20 GMT
Thank you so much for that info. Will look into all that. He is on steroids & steroid cream atm. Not living out atm but I think i will have to do this. Even tho the thought of him living out a night stresses me. Really hope I can gst it under control before winter x
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Post by sjw87 on Jul 1, 2018 21:26:47 GMT
I really do wish you the very best of luck with him; this weather would have been a nightmare for my girl. I would only put her out from 10pm until 6am in the summer as it was with our normal weather and I'm lucky to have indoor block built stables for her to be in during the day.
One thing I forgot to mention is to treat snowy days the same as sunny days; the sun reflecting up off the snow can cause symptoms to flare.
If the steroid cream struggles to get rid of the scabs then pm me and I'll give you info on what I found to help. Please do let me know how he gets on x
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