Recurrent cellulitis - any experiences?

[catembi]

My new chap was kicked by my Shetland (now sold) which resulted in cellulitis in his back leg. It was treated with two courses of antibiotics and eventually went away completely. The leg was totally normal for about a month.

Then he was kicked on a front leg about 6" above the knee by another of my horses. This proceeded completely normally - initial localised swelling at the site of the kick, then the whole leg swelled up, then it all went back to normal in 2-3 days. Treated with cold hosing, etc. Leg is now fine, BUT...the back leg has swelled up again. It is filled in the fetlock area & just above. I cannot see any wounds or signs of a kick or anything at all like that. I have done some reading & discovered that the initial cellulitis might have damaged his lymphatic system so that trauma elsewhere could make the leg swell up again even though it hasn't been damaged. The 'cure' seems to be exercise & cold hosing.

Has anyone had any experience of this? I am totally sure that there is no injury to the back leg. I don't see the point of getting him antibiotics if it's just swollen up as a response to the other injury. I am going to call the vets for advice but just wondered if anyone had come across this. Thank you!

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I have never had to treat cellulitis but if his lymphatic system has been compromised try powdered milk thistle as a supplement to see if by cleansing the liver the lymph system reboots itself. It works for my EMS pony who swells up in very odd places when his lymphatic system is being sluggish. Exercise also works very well as it gets things moving. Another natural remedy for filled legs are cleavers which are growing with abundance at the moment.

 

[Greyirish]

I struggle with recurring cellulitis with my youngster, he’s had it four times since I bought him last summer. The first time it was a thorn in his fetlock which caused the infection, second time there was no obvious cause but a fat fetlock (leg swelled up, wouldn’t go down, was given antibotics and the next day it was gone). Third and fourth times were from little cuts on his legs that he’d done in the field.

It’s a nightmare and costs a fortune in vet hills for antibiotics. He’s a fine ISH and unfortunately the vet says it’s one of those things he’ll just be prone to now. I’ve asked if there’s anything more I can do as I dilligently clean any cuts and yet they often still get infected. My vet prescribed a tub of Flamazine to put on any future nicks so hopefully that’ll work. You have my sympathy!

 

[catembi]

Thank you! I have phoned the vets & they said that it might be a response to less exercise as obviously I wasn't riding while he was lame from the recent kick...! Will try the remedies that you have suggested

 

[Mynstrel]

We were advised to feed fenugreek to our mare with recurring lymphangitis, it made her pee smell like ? but it seemed to help stop fluid building up.

 

[oldie48]

My old TB had a very bad bout of cellulitis in a hind leg. I was never able to find any cuts or grazes but it nearly ended his life. I'd keep an eye on it and if it starts to become more swollen or has any heat I'd get the vet pdq, hopefully though you won't need to.