Infections - help!

[Caramac71]

At the start of the year, horse had a tiny cut on hind leg which she was extremely dramatic about. Had to get vet out to sedate in order to clean up, and gave a course of antibiotics as a precaution.

At the start of the summer holidays, she developed cellulitis in the other hind leg. Hugely swollen leg, leaking fluid, no evidence of a wound of any kind, took 2 lots of antibiotics and a number of weeks before swelling went down. However she wasnt lame and didn't seem bothered by it at all.

This week, she gets a small cut on left fore. We returned from holiday and noticed it; she was lame when she trotted across the field to us and it is quite swollen around the cut. Cleaned it up, cold hosed the leg, applied manuka honey and phoned vet for advice.

Vet advised us to continue what we were doing and give it a few days; didn't think it was infected as not painful to touch. (It looks like she's caught it on something rather than a kick). However over the last couple of days it's become more swollen and swelling going down the leg, so vet sending out some antibiotics.

So, is there likely to be a link between the 3 infections or is she just unlucky? She has had lots of probiotics after each course of antibiotics and I'll repeat it again after this lot.

I'm just wondering if this is a sign of a weakened immune system and, once we've sorted out the current problem, if there is anything else we can/should be doing?

 

[paddy555]

for mine infections were a sign of cushings. For him they were infections (throat type infections) that other horses would have got over in a couple of days but he always needed a vet and antibiotics. For him they were a sign of a weak immune system. Since he went on prascend (the cushings drug) in 2012 he hasn't had any antibiotics. Before then he needed lots and often the course was twice as long as for anyone else. Around a year ago he was bitten in the field by something (possibly a badger) around his front cannon. I put manuka on and it healed quickly, no problems. This was on cushings medication which certainly has improved his immune system.
It may just be bad luck but I would look at the rest of the cushings symptoms.

poor top line, losing muscle,(compare her with old pictures)
pot belly
excessive drinking and peeing
lethargy when exercised
any skin infections or eye infections
for mine excessive eating but not putting weight on (hay)
laminitis obviously
foot abscesses

 

[Caramac71]

for mine infections were a sign of cushings. For him they were infections (throat type infections) that other horses would have got over in a couple of days but he always needed a vet and antibiotics. For him they were a sign of a weak immune system. Since he went on prascend (the cushings drug) in 2012 he hasn't had any antibiotics. Before then he needed lots and often the course was twice as long as for anyone else. Around a year ago he was bitten in the field by something (possibly a badger) around his front cannon. I put manuka on and it healed quickly, no problems. This was on cushings medication which certainly has improved his immune system.
It may just be bad luck but I would look at the rest of the cushings symptoms.

poor top line, losing muscle,(compare her with old pictures)
pot belly
excessive drinking and peeing
lethargy when exercised
any skin infections or eye infections
for mine excessive eating but not putting weight on (hay)
laminitis obviously
foot abscesses

Thank you. Not showing any of the signs you mentioned, she's only 7 but has facet joint arthritis so is in limited work. Struggling to get weight off her due to limited work (despite her living out with minimal grass). I will discuss with the vet though.