b'STEP BY STEP NANCY S. LOVING, DVMTheHorse.com/Step-By-StepWhy the Fat Leg?5 reasons for swelling, from benign triggers to causes for major concernY our horses sleek, strong legs haveJump on the situation and contact yoursigns of illness recently, or has anything remained taut and unblemishedveterinarian immediately rather than try- changed regarding diet, deworming, throughout (and sometimes despite)ing the wait-and-see approach. medications, blanketing, bandaging, or his athletic pursuits. Then one day as youFirst, youll want to gather informationbedding, for example? offer him breakfast, you notice he has ato share with your veterinarian beforeMatt Randall, DVM, of Collier Equine, fat leg. Is it cause for alarm or some- making the call. Rosemary Cuming, BVScin Waller, Texas, urges horse owners to thing simple to deal with? Lets look at theMS, MANZCVS, Dipl. ACVIM, of Sconealso take the horses rectal temperature.variety of causes for limb swelling. Equine Hospital, in New South Wales,Cuming suggests making a checklist Australia, advises owners to make notesof questions to address. Watch the horse Initial Assessment Steps about the whole horsenot just his limbs.closely when he is standing still and then Before you assume the worst, considerPay attention to the horses demeanor,moving, and ask yourself:that in many cases prompt recognitionappetite, water intake, and fecal output,Does the horse appear comfortable, or and treatment can resolve leg swelling.she says. Has the horse shown anyis he showing stiffness?Is he lame? If so, to what degree? Is only one leg or are multiple legs swollen?Do you see any drainage or signs of a puncture or other wound? Feel the affected limb(s), and note any abnormalities: Is there heat in the limb? Does the horse pull away due to pain following a light touch or firm palpa-tion of the swollen area? Do you feel irregularities in the skin or hair, such as scabs and crusts, moist or oozing discharge, or abnormal lumps?Is the swelling localized (limited to a specific area), or is there generalized pitting edema (the fluid swelling is over a larger area and the tissue stays de-pressed after you press on the swelling with your finger)? Is the swelling in proximity to or within a synovial structure such as a joint or tendon sheath?Fever, lameness, and wounds involv-ing synovial structures definitely increase the potential urgency for veterinary atten-tion to limb swelling, Randall says. Limb swelling can be innocuous or When assessing a swollen limb, feel itmay be indicative of a localized disease and note abnormalities such as heat,process within one or more legs, or due to AMY K. DRAGOO lumps, crusts, or signs of pain. more serious systemic diseases involving other body systems, adds Cuming. Hav-ing a clear description of the type and 42November 2019The Horse|TheHorse.comUntitled-20 42 9/25/19 9:54 AM'