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[RC] [RC] "Stump the vet , update"II - Patti
Some years ago, my geldng stocked up in a similar pattern. Checking around, we found
about 6 horses in the area with similar swelling to a lesser degree (my gelding stocked up
so badly the skin split on his pasterns, he was down for several days and both hind tendons
were severely bowed).
All the horses had what appeared to be mild hives on their lower sides (but not underneath on their bellies).
The only significant finding on blood work (three unrelated premises were checked) was elevated CPK enzyme levels.
What we found in common (the premises were several miles apart) were pack rats (they are
endemic in So. Arizona and eat our cars, too).
One of the vets at the U of A felt it might be a reaction to "cone nose bugs" or "kissing bugs"
which are attracted to pack rats and often cause anaphylactic shock in humans,
and are also carriers of Human American Trypanosomiasis, or Chagas disease
but we didn't test for this specifically as they thought it was more likely an "anaphylactic type" reaction to the
bites.
Nasty bugs - first they anesthetize you, then they drink your blood, then they defecate on the bite.
We treated with Lasix and antibiotics; my guy never recovered (although the others did OK).
Just one of the many, many things (as Susan G said) that could possibly cause edema. Hope the new vet
can help you sort it out.
Patti K
Vail AZ
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