Cellulitis on a horse's leg: what to know

A horse's leg may become warm, swollen, tender and painful, sometimes with fluid from a wound. Swelling can extend along the limb and may make movement uncomfortable. A puncture, scrape, injection site or skin infection can be an entry point. This is a veterinary problem, and appearance alone cannot show how deep the infection is or distinguish it from other causes of limb swelling.

Call the horse's veterinarian promptly and describe which leg is affected, when swelling began, any wound, and whether the horse is eating, drinking and bearing weight. Keep the horse calm in a clean area and prevent rubbing or licking of the site. Do not lance the swelling, give human medicine, wrap the limb tightly, or apply antibiotics without veterinary direction. Follow instructions on cleaning, bandaging, medication and controlled movement.

Seek emergency veterinary advice for rapidly increasing swelling, severe pain, marked lameness, fever, weakness, collapse, breathing changes, or a horse that stops eating or drinking. A deep puncture near a joint or tendon is particularly urgent. Do not wait for home care to show an effect when the horse deteriorates.

Ask whether the wound needs imaging or drainage, how to measure swelling, what movement is safe, how to give each medicine, and which changes require an immediate recheck.