Microtek blistered s horse terribly when I used it. He peeled like a grape. I think you’ve done a fabulous job caring for your horse.
Thank you for all the details. This could happen to any one of us. They can’t tell us what’s wrong.
BTW, what does ropewalking mean? I’m not familiar with that term.
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Usually with the front legs, but can be rear… putting one foot directly in front of the other as if walking on a tightrope.
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Even though this is going to be expensive and you’re not a huge fan of how the treatment started, I’m so glad you got him on the trailer and over to the hospital. From the sounds of things, that’s where he needed to be! Whether it was truly neurological in origin or he was in such pain he couldn’t walk, “horse can’t walk” is a hospital kind of emergency. You did the right thing. I hope he’s back to his normal self soon!
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Don’t second guess yourself! What if he HAD been neurological? You made the right call.
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Please don’t beat yourself up! It was a very odd presentation for cellulitis (slight swelling, very lame). My horse had a few bouts of lymphangitis.
First time, 106 temp, stovepipe leg, 5 days in hospital. The other times, very minimal swelling with no lameness whatsoever. It was only because of the first almost fatal experience, that I would automatically take a temp with any amount of leg swelling. In his 2 other bouts, I was luckiIy at the barn, noticed small amount of swelling, temp was 102 both times, and immediately treated with SMZs and banamine (after call to vet, of course).
Very lame as you described with only slight swelling in a leg with no current open wound, wouldn’t scream cellulitis/lymphangitis to me. With what your horse was displaying, I’ll always think that the trip to NBC was the right call.
Nothing says that you could have been able to treat it successfully at home. It can go really bad, really quickly. Despite the original misdirection/miscommunication at NBC, I honestly think NBC was the right place for him.
Continuing jingles to both of you. 
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This thread made me think of my dearly departed boy. This was the very happy day during his hospitalization for lymphangitis that he actually perked up and had his own personality back. Started begging for carrots again so I knew he was going to make it. 
BTW: He was 33 at the time, had a couple very minor bouts after (same leg) and lived to a happy and healthy 38 until his old, brave TB heart just gave out.
Continuing jingles for your boy.
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This touches my heart. Thank you:carrot:
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Aww, you’re welcome. Miss him so much, but so many happy memories. 
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Mine, too! @NaturallyHappy & @Fiesta01 I don’t have pics from it, but I remember visiting my TB after colic surgery and he perked up so much from seeing me & my mom. Also continuing jingles for OP’s horse and checking in here for updates.
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Once again, huge thanks to everyone for the jingles and the sanity check on taking my horse to New Bolton altogether. I have not seen this horse like this before. I have seen some serious “stovepipe” legs with cellulitis in other horses. This didn’t look anything I was familiar with.
Sorry for the delayed updates - I feel like I did too much (go figure!) and have been struggling a bit with my own covid recovery and trying to be back to work and and and… Anyway, my horse came home on Tuesday, his leg looked great. Back to daytime turnout, which is huge for everyone involved. The bad luck continued today as he was attacked by BEES in his run-in shed. (In case anyone is wondering why you pay more for good kick boards in your shed, THIS is why!) We just cannot catch a break 
He is covered in stings but no signs of damage to his legs (knock on wood 
)
So now we just wait and wrap and wait and wrap… stay tuned for my next posts where I ask about experiences with Back on Track wraps for cellulitis recovery 
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Poor guy!!!
Great news (even among the not so great). Hope you both quickly turn the corner and get back to full health.
So happy to hear your boy is home! What a relief. Sorry about the bees. It always seems to be something to worry about with our horses. Continuing healing for you both.
