Page 661 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

Clinical signs

Some or all of the following signs may be seen:
VetBooks.ir • oedema (swelling) of the nostrils, eyes and lips

• oedema of one or more limbs which may become very swollen (Figure 15.6)

• soft, oedematous plaques of variable diameter on the neck, chest and thighs

• oedema of the ventral abdomen

• stiffness and reluctance to move
• leaking of clear or blood-stained fluid through the skin of the swollen areas (Figure 15.7)

or from the nostrils

• affected areas may be very painful to touch
• small haemorrhages on the lips, gums and nasal mucosa (Figure 15.8)

• raised temperature

• depression

• secondary bacterial infection of skin lesions. Patches of skin may die and slough off
• colic and blood-stained diarrhoea due to intestinal oedema

• heart and kidney problems

• respiratory distress if fluid accumulates in the lungs or larynx

• fatal circulatory collapse may occur.