Quickly- advice needed-should I call vet now or can it wait

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seabiscuit

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Panicking rather.Possible cellulitis but the legs are certainly not all that big or hot.I have had this before in another horse but the legs seemed to go down by themselves within a few days, however this is a different horse and have been reading scare stories on the net -so am wondering whether to go back to the yard and check her legs-and call vet..

She initially had diarrhea, then two days later went lame after being ridden lightly about 20 mins.. Sunday morning noticed she was stiff in her back legs, but sound. had one swollen hind leg on Sunday night. It had swollen out by 1/2 inch. This morning she went out in the field all day and this evening both her back legs had swollen up with the original leg even fatter (about 1 inches out). She still has diarrhea,and is sound.
She is very very well in herself.

I am guessing that this is cellulitis caused by a virus which has caused her diarrhea ( which several horses in the yard have- but we are certain that the diarrhea has been caused by haylage that is too rich) but despite putting her onto bland hay and just a little haylage the diarrhea has not cleared up.


Everything on the net is telling me..get vet now- antibio's and painkillers....so should I call her up now or wait till morning....yes the legs are fat, but not huge, and the horse is perfectly well in herself..
 
i really dont have a clue but follow your gut instinct. if it puts your mind at rest just call the vet.
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My gut instinct initially was- she can wait till morning- she does not look like she is suffering at all!

But then I came home just now and read all this stuff on the net....and every vet seems to advise instant vet attention! But the legs in the pictures are all proper elephant legs, mine's legs are definately not that bad.
 
Could you not perhaps call and speak with the vet on call and get their opinion?

Im sure they wont mind (its why theyre on call afterall and at just gone midnight on new years eve, you know they'll be up).

Explain what you think it is, full symptoms and ask whether or not they'd want to see now or in the morning.

Its what i always do when im not sure and none of the vets have ever minded
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I would call the vet. My vet has no problem with a phone call day or night and it will put your mind at rest. I definitely would make a call, then after the call you can make the decision whether to go back or not. Happy New Year and really hope she's alright. I hate it when my horses are not right!
 
Thanks for the advice guys. Do hate phoning them up at night! But your right- it is what they are there for. Will see what she says!
 
I'm probably too late to reply now but hope you got the vet out...had cellulitis myself in 2006 and within 12 hours it went from a bit of a sore, swollen ankle to a week in hospital on IV antibiotics with my leg in a cast and metal frame! Another 12 hours and it would have been intensive care. I only finished physio a couple of months ago and it still gives me problems now. Cellulitis CAN be mild and treated easily but then again it can be horrendous. Hope your horse is ok.
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