Traitement des pattes à jus chez le cheval - Bagging et ozone

Scaly Leg Mites and Chorioptic Mange: Natural Ozone Treatments

What are "pattes à jus" (lymphangitis) in horses?

"Pattes à jus," also known as lymphangitis or lymphatic engorgement, refers to significant swelling of a horse's lower limbs, typically the hind legs. This phenomenon results from an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the tissues, creating sometimes dramatic edema that can be accompanied by heat, pain, and lameness. To recognize associated skin signs, consult our guide on skin distress in horses.

Causes of pattes à jus

Mechanical and circulatory causes:

  • Lack of exercise: Prolonged standing in the stall without movement
  • Forced rest: Convalescence, injury, cessation of work
  • Poor lymphatic circulation: Insufficient natural drainage system
  • Venous compression: Overly tight bandages, ill-fitting boots

Infectious and inflammatory causes:

  • Infectious lymphangitis: Bacterial infection of the lymphatic system
  • Cellulitis: Infection of subcutaneous tissues
  • Mud fever: Skin inflammation that can progress to lymphangitis
  • Wounds or injuries: Entry point for bacteria
  • Chorioptic mange: Parasites that create lesions and promote engorgement
  • Cracked heels: See our article on cracked heels in horses

Predisposing factors:

  • Draft breeds: More susceptible due to their morphology and feathering
  • Overweight: Excess weight that hinders circulation
  • Overly rich diet: Excess protein without sufficient exercise
  • Age: Older horses with less efficient circulation

Symptoms and diagnosis

Simple engorgement (non-infectious):

  • Symmetrical swelling of the limbs (often both hind legs)
  • Soft, pitting edema
  • Little to no heat, no significant pain
  • Improvement with movement
  • Normal body temperature

Infectious lymphangitis (severe):

  • Sudden and significant swelling, often unilateral
  • Intense heat, marked pain, severe lameness
  • High fever (39-41°C), depression, loss of appetite
  • Visible and painful lymphatic cord

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Infectious lymphangitis is a veterinary emergency.

Differentiating simple engorgement and infectious lymphangitis

Criterion Simple engorgement Infectious lymphangitis
Onset Gradual Sudden (within hours)
Affected limbs Often bilateral Generally unilateral
Heat Absent or slight Intense
Fever No Yes (39-41°C)
Lameness Slight or absent Severe
Urgency No YES - Immediate veterinary attention

Chorioptic mange: a frequent cause of pattes à jus

Chorioptic mange, also known as pastern mange, is a parasitic infestation caused by the mite Chorioptes equi. Very common in draft horses and breeds with abundant feathering, it can directly cause or worsen pattes à jus.

Symptoms: intense itching, stomping, scabs and scales on the pasterns, hair loss, skin thickening, scratching lesions, limb engorgement.

Link to pattes à jus: chronic inflammation disrupts lymphatic circulation, scratching lesions create infectious entry points, and scabs obstruct superficial lymphatic vessels.

Natural ozone treatments

Ozone gas bagging

The Ozone Bagging Device is an ozone therapy technique that involves exposing the horse's limb to ozone gas in a closed environment. This method allows for a deep and comprehensive action on the entire limb.

Why Bagging works: powerful circulatory stimulation, tissue oxygenation, anti-inflammatory effect, antibacterial action, lymphatic drainage, and tissue regeneration.

Contact us for a personalized protocol. Have the horse walk for 15-20 minutes before and after Bagging to optimize the draining effect.

Evolution during chorioptic mange in a draft horse

patte à jus
gale chorioptique patte à jus

INTENSIVE OZONE CARE for infectious and parasitic cases

In cases of infectious lymphangitis (in addition to veterinary treatment), wounds, or chorioptic mange, INTENSIVE OZONE CARE is the treatment of choice: powerful antibacterial, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, healing, with no possible resistance.

Essential complementary measures

  • Exercise: Daily walking for a minimum of 20-30 minutes, avoid prolonged stall confinement
  • Diet: Reduce protein, prioritize hay, avoid overfeeding
  • Manual lymphatic drainage: Massage limbs from bottom to top, 10-15 minutes, twice/day
  • Cold hosing: 10-15 minutes on the limbs, twice/day in the acute phase, always dry afterwards
  • Specific chorioptic mange hygiene: Thorough cleaning and drying of feathers, disinfection of equipment, isolation of affected horses, simultaneous treatment of all contact horses

Prevention

  • Regular exercise, avoid prolonged stall confinement
  • Diet adapted to activity level
  • Preventive bagging 1-2 times a week for at-risk horses
  • Rigorous hygiene of limbs and feathers
  • Preventive application of INTENSIVE OZONE CARE once a week on the pasterns of at-risk horses
  • Quarantine for new arrivals

Healing time

  • Simple engorgement: 3-7 days with Bagging and exercise
  • Chorioptic mange: 3-6 weeks (duration of the parasitic cycle)
  • Mild infectious lymphangitis: 2-3 weeks with complete treatment
  • Severe infectious lymphangitis: 4-6 weeks, sometimes longer

When to consult a vet urgently?

Consult immediately in case of fever above 38.5°C, sudden swelling, intense pain, marked depression, visible lymphatic cord, no improvement after 48 hours, or worsening despite treatment.

Conclusion

Pattes à jus and chorioptic mange are common but manageable problems. The Ozone Bagging Device offers a deep action on lymphatic circulation, while INTENSIVE OZONE CARE effectively treats infectious and parasitic cases. Prompt and appropriate intervention helps prevent complications and recurrences. When in doubt, always consult your veterinarian.

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