Managing cellulitis going forward

[emilykerr747]

Hello all!

I currently have a young TB who is battling a terrible bout of cellulitis in his front leg. He’s ended up on box rest for 2.5 weeks with wound flushing and compression bandaging. We’re hoping that he will be okay to go out again soon. The vets have been doing a great job with him.

This is the first time I’ve owned a horse with cellulitis but from what I’ve read it’s likely that he’ll get it again in the same leg.

Some people have suggested turnout boots. What are your views on turnout boots? I’ve read that the PE ones are meant to be good.

I’m also carefully monitoring his field for mud and will be checking for any cuts and scratches.

Any advice is very welcome!

Thank you!

 

[Albus15]

One of my horses has had cellulitis in the past, and like you, I read on the internet that it's very likely to repeat and it can be tragic. His was caused due to him developing mud fever, after moving to a livery yard that washed his legs off everyday coming in from the field (He never had it before despite previously living out in the winter in muddy conditions). 5 years later the mud fever is mostly under control or near enough non-existent, however he's never had cellulitis again. I bought mud fever boots, but after using them twice I couldn't get them to dry overnight and didn't want to put wet boots on him the next morning

 

[HopOnTrot]

My child had it once!

Leg has yet to fall off.

 

[emilykerr747]

One of my horses has had cellulitis in the past, and like you, I read on the internet that it's very likely to repeat and it can be tragic. His was caused due to him developing mud fever, after moving to a livery yard that washed his legs off everyday coming in from the field (He never had it before despite previously living out in the winter in muddy conditions). 5 years later the mud fever is mostly under control or near enough non-existent, however he's never had cellulitis again. I bought mud fever boots, but after using them twice I couldn't get them to dry overnight and didn't want to put wet boots on him the next morning

That’s interesting. My boy’s wasn’t caused by mud fever, the vet think it’s originated from a thorn pin prick.

Ah okay that’s interesting about the boots. I’m still unsure whether to try them or not, I keep seeing a lot of conflicting advice.

 

[Albus15]

Essentially it's a case of bacteria getting in a bit deeper through any broken skin and causing an infection, which is very painful to the horse. We were on a decent course of bute, antibiotics and cold hosing daily

 

[dreamcometrue]

My horse is recovering from a bout of cellulitis. Two and a half weeks box rest on antibiotics, anti inflammatory, cold hosing, and walking out twice a day made no impression whatsoever so she went to the vets for scans and X-rays and it turned out she had a shard of bone hanging around in there. Probably from an injury that she did as a yearling and which has been migrating out from the injury site. It has been surgically removed and she is now 3 weeks post op and still on box rest and having her dressings changed twice a week under sedation. She still has a way to go but it’s looking promising.

Once she has recovered I will definitely be taking great care of this leg. So boots for turnout. Keeping it dry and injury free. Stable wraps for wet legs. Soft brushes and gentle products for cleaning.

Cellulitis is a horrible thing. I hope your horse recovers well @emilykerr747 xx

 

[dreamcometrue]

Some people have suggested turnout boots. What are your views on turnout boots? I’ve read that the PE ones are meant to be good.

Yes I’ve been looking at the PE ones too, especially as they do hind boots as well, which is where my mare has the infection.

 

[P.forpony]

It's trial and error with the turnout boots I'm afraid. I know some people who really get on with them but for my tb they've caused far more issues than they've solved.
Unless they fit perfectly they just let mud in then rub like mad because its trapped against the skin and he would get a rub from a funny look

He only gets it on the one white sock... of course! Not helped by a big old scar under the fetlock you can't actually see but I can feel it, and is obviously a weak spot in the skin.

I just make sure that leg is smothered in barrier cream before it touches mud and that he has drying wraps on as soon as he comes in to reduce wet leg time.

 

[NocturneNoel]

One of mine got it from turnout boots once. Kept coming back until he built up his immunity a bit. Took a good year or more.

 

[Carrottom]

A good feed balancer can help to create healthy skin. I use forageplus hoof and skin health. I stopped giving to one and he got a fat leg about 3 weeks later. It might be coincidence, but who knows?