- If there is already a thread - please let me know! 2. Please tell me about your experiences, treatments and ‘tricks’ with a swollen leg after a phlegmon (horse comes from a ‘not so good’ place, phlegmon was not treated properly). According to the vet last method with little chance of success is lymphdrainage. Thank you!
I have successfully treated phlegmon aka cellulitis with antibiotics and treating the wound… mine was in a fetlock and he was mildly lame… it took quite a while before he was sound. To keep the edema down he was turned out. I would cold hose/massage daily, then apply a pressure wrap and lunge for 10 minutes.
How bad is the case you’re dealing with? Cellulitis SUCKS
The affected horse comes from a place where no one called a vet. No wound anymore, maybe swollen leg forever.
Your vet should be able to use an ultrasound to guide a needle into the fluid and take a sample. If anything grows, I would go hard with strong antibiotics, possibly by regional limb perfusion. Infections can be really challenging once they take root and wall off.
If the fluid comes up clean, you’re just dealing with ongoing maintenance - ice, compression, and movement. Back on Track really helps some of these horses. I also know a vet who likes cold laser for this kind of swelling.
