Could it be mud fever or not?

[Holly Hocks]

I got to the yard tonight and noticed that my 20 year old TB had a very swollen back leg. Swollen from the top half of the fetlock almost up to the hock area. I phoned the vet for some anti bs and hosed it off. He has two very small patches of mud fever on the heel bulbs, but it's not red or aggravated, just scabby. The pastern isn't swollen. There is no sign anywhere of any cut on his leg that I can see, although he made it quite clear that he didn't want me to touch his leg - particularly the inside of the hock, although that in itself isn't swollen. Can mud fever cause an infection further up the leg or is the infection likely to have got in further up? He has had mud fever on his front legs in the past, but it's never had these symptoms...
Vet will come out tomorrow if it has got worse...

 

[Dolcé]

would get the vet out, it could be cellulitis caused by bugs getting in through the mudfever sores, once it takes hold it can be very debilitating for the horse and take some getting under control!

 

[Holly Hocks]

Thanks hch. I did think about cellulitis, but thought I was being paranoid....will call vet tomorrow morning if no improvement.

 

[hunting mad]

would get the vet out, it could be cellulitis caused by bugs getting in through the mudfever sores, once it takes hold it can be very debilitating for the horse and take some getting under control!

My first thoughts.