Cellulitis

J

JenJ phone

Member
Joined
10 December 2011
Messages
10
Visit site
Has anyone here had any experience with a horse with cellulitis?

Tilda had a small cut on Saturday, but was sound, cut seemed to look a bit worse by Monday, vet came out and have anti-biotic cream, but by yesterday her hock was swollen, even though the cut is a few inches above fetlock.

Vet came out today and diagnosed cellulitis, gave more anti-biotics and said no turn out until swelling has gone, though she can be ridden if sound (was lame last night).

I've heard of this in people, but not come across an equine case before?
 
Yes, Not personally so cant comment too much but two different friends horses had it. one just mildly, one badly.
In both cases the only sypmtom was massive swelling. We couldnt even find a cut or anything. In the severe case all four legs in the mild just the one was affected.
The less severe stayed in light work as the vet explained that keeping her moving would halp with the swelling (couldnt be t/o in mud) It was over and done in days.
The worse took longer and over the days her top layer skin (almost scabs but too thin if that makes sense?!) started coming away on her legs til they were nearly bald in places. looked like major rain scald. She had absolute box rest for however long as she was all but unable to walk.
She too recovered well and fairly quickly. neither had any problems since and both cases were years ago.
Hope yours recovers very soon x
 
Yes i have seen this on a few horses, overall it is easily treated, it sounds almost insignifigant as it can be treated with antibiotics, but it is a nasty, it is painful for the horse and if it doesnt respond well to treatment can be fatal, it is not to be mucked around with.
If your horse isnt signifigantly improved or improving in 24-36 hours id be getting input from the vet again.
 
JenJ phone said:
Has anyone here had any experience with a horse with cellulitis?

Tilda had a small cut on Saturday, but was sound, cut seemed to look a bit worse by Monday, vet came out and have anti-biotic cream, but by yesterday her hock was swollen, even though the cut is a few inches above fetlock.

Vet came out today and diagnosed cellulitis, gave more anti-biotics and said no turn out until swelling has gone, though she can be ridden if sound (was lame last night).

I've heard of this in people, but not come across an equine case before?
Click to expand...

Yes

First antibiotics (oral) brought swelling down for a few days, then came up worse (whole body looked ike she'd been pumped up)
Second nothing
Third vet ended up doing injections every 3(?) days.

Keep a close eye on character (she was dull before second flare up)
And don't be afraid to ask vets for different antibiotics if necessary (ours gave a week or two on each as said that there's a fair amount of luck and guesswork on which antibiotics to give).

Horse was on 24/7 turnout (with option of stabling). Vet said to keep turned out. (This was not an open cut though)
 
My poor boy got cellulitis through being infected by ringworm (!)

It affected one hind leg - he was horrendously lame, but one course of antibiotics (and antifungal treatment) and he was fine.
 
Thanks all. Hopefully this is a mild case, and caught early. Swelling looks to have lessened since yesterday, and I walked her in hand for 20 minutes. She's on bute and anti-biotic jabs for 4 days, will speak to my YO about it properly tomorrow, she's the one that dealt with the vet but wasn't around this evening.
 
When my horse was on loan his mud fever was neglected, when I collected him he had cellulitis in both hind legs. They were the size of his hocks the whole way down, rock hard and really hot. It took a month of oral antibiotics to get it cleared but it does go.
I would recommend hand walking if no turnout to help get the swelling down, also if the area is hot try using an ice pack or cold hosing to reduce the inflammation but make sure you dry the skin really well afterwards.

It's just an infection in the tissues and if you've caught it early (which sounds like you have) then it should clear up within a few days of antibiotics with no lasting effects :-)
 
"It's just an infection in the tissues and if you've caught it early (which sounds like you have) then it should clear up within a few days of antibiotics with no lasting effects :-)[/QUOTE]"

While it is an infection, its not "just" an infection, it needs to be carefully monitored and managed until it is cleared ..... This infection can become very nasty, very quickly.
 
a horse at my yard had it too. had a graze (literally just took the top layer of skin off) and within a few days her leg totally ballooned. dont know all the details of treatment, i know she was given a cream and antibiotic and it cleared up in a couple of weeks, she was kept in til it healed
 
Our made is prone to it, if she has the slightest cut or graze on a leg we watch the leg like a hawk for the slightest sign of swelling. Even the tiniest graze can cause the leg to swell. We were advised by our vet to ring him immediately at the slightest sign of swelling and he comes straight out with antibiotics. Her worst incident happened when she was pricked by a thorn. I'm afraid its just a case of being hyper vigilant. (and a certain degree of paranoia :-) )
 
Our mare is prone to it, if she has the slightest cut or graze on a leg we watch the leg like a hawk for the slightest sign of swelling. Even the tiniest graze can cause the leg to swell. We were advised by our vet to ring him immediately at the slightest sign of swelling and he comes straight out with antibiotics. Her worst incident happened when she was pricked by a thorn. I'm afraid its just a case of being hyper vigilant. (and a certain degree of paranoia :-) )
 
My gelding's prone to it in one of his hinds. I'll never forget getting up one morning and the sickening sign of his enormous leg. It was horrid, oozed pale yellow liquid and was so, so swollen. A jab and oral antibiotics cleared it up in about 5 days but it was really scurfy and almost sunburn like for a few weeks. As others have said, you need to be vigilant, the speed it turns nasty is phenomenal.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top