What should you know about cellulitis on horses?

In horses, cellulitis can affect tissue beneath the skin and often appears as a rapidly swollen, warm or painful limb. The horse may become lame or reluctant to move. A small wound, pastern irritation, bite or recent procedure can be an entry point, but the skin opening may be difficult to find. A veterinarian must distinguish cellulitis from a joint problem, tendon injury, lymphatic swelling or another infection. Do not use human links about cellulitis to diagnose or medicate an animal.

Call an equine veterinarian promptly and describe which limb is affected, how quickly swelling appeared, whether the horse is lame and whether a wound or fever is known. Keep the horse in a safe, clean area and prevent strenuous exercise. Do not lance swelling, apply strong chemicals or give human pain medicine. Follow the veterinarian's instructions about movement, cooling, bandaging and medication because the right plan depends on the examination.

Treat marked lameness, severe pain, rapidly increasing swelling, a deep wound, breathing difficulty, collapse, confusion or a very unwell horse as an emergency. Contact the veterinarian again if the swelling extends, the horse stops eating or drinking, or the condition worsens. A systemic infection can become life-threatening.

Ask whether the swelling fits cellulitis, where the entry wound may be, whether joint or tendon structures need checking, how to monitor temperature and lameness, and which changes require immediate reassessment.