Vasculitis

I have learned of a new equine condition. Fancy didn't eat her grain one morning, nor her hay during the day. She had no temperature, but by the end of the day, she could barely walk, and her right hind leg was very swollen. I was not too alarmed, as she has always had a problem with this particular leg swelling. Usually the swelling would subside after she moved around. In this case the swelling only increased, and she became very listless, and still had a poor appetite. We initially treated her with Bute, but after 2 days of stall rest our veterinarion Vasculitis is inflammation of the walls of blood vessels. It's cause is somewhat of a mystery, though it is believed to be a reaction of the horses own immune system aagainst bacteria, virus, drug reaction, or reaction to an herbal. Vasculitis almost always occurs in one hind leg, very often the horse will have recurrent episodes in it's lifetime, and there will be "Scratches" on the affected leg. An appointment was scheduled with our veterinarians Buck Hill Veterinary Services. They were able to see Fancy the next day, and by that time Fancy had a fever of 103, and her entire leg was affected and the edema was spreading to her udder and belly. She was given Lasix--I know understand the statement "Peeing like a racehorse", 2 different antibiotics, and the use of steroids was discussed if the problem didn't quickly subside. Fortunately after 24 hours she was improving and even wanted to go outside into the paddock. Four more days of treatment, and she should be as good as new-at least as new as one can expect for a 28 year old horse!! Poor Fancy !!!