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Primary and secondary limb cellulitis in horses: 44 cases (2000-2006).
Abstract: To determine historical, physical, and microbiologic findings in horses with limb cellulitis and identify factors associated with short- and long-term outcome. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 44 horses with limb cellulitis. Methods: Information obtained from medical records included use, history, affected limb, diagnostic procedures, treatment, and short-term outcome. Long-term follow-up information was obtained by means of a telephone survey. Results: Twenty-four horses had primary cellulitis, and 18 of the 24 (75%) had a hind limb affected. Results of microbiologic culture were positive for all 20 horses with primary cellulitis from which specimens were obtained, with coagulase-positive Staphylococcus spp recovered from 12 of the 20. Short-term survival rate was 67% (16/24) for horses with primary cellulitis; 7 of the 9 horses available for long-term follow-up were being used for their intended use, and 4 had had a recurrence. Results of microbiologic culture were positive for 13 of the 16 (81%) horses with secondary cellulitis from which specimens were obtained. Short-term survival rate for horses with secondary cellulitis was 90% (18/20). Eleven of the 17 horses available for long-term follow-up were being used for their intended use; 2 had had a recurrence. Conclusions: Results suggested that cellulitis can be a life-threatening condition in horses. Horses that were febrile at admission or that developed laminitis were significantly less likely to survive. The prognosis for return to function was guarded, and recurrence was a potential concern.
Publication Date: 2007-12-07 PubMed ID: 18052806DOI: 10.2460/javma.231.11.1696Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research on equine health sought to study and understand limb cellulitis in horses, including its historical, microbiological, and physical aspects, as well as the factors related to short-term and long-term outcomes. The study, spanning 2000-2006, analyzed 44 cases of the condition, using historical data and telephone surveys, and deduced that cellulitis can be a life-threatening condition for horses, and those suffering from fever at admission or laminitis were significantly more at risk.
Objective and Methodology
- The study aimed to understand limb cellulitis in horses more comprehensively by studying the historical, physical, and microbiological factors of the condition, ultimately identifying key factors that can influence both short-term and long-term outcomes of the disease.
- The researchers conducted a retrospective case series analysis, assessing information from 44 medical records of horses with limb cellulitis.
- The data collected from these medical records comprised usage, history, the limb affected, diagnostic procedures, treatment, and short-term outcome.
- Additionally, the team collected long-term follow-up information via telephone surveys.
Results
- Of the 24 horses diagnosed with primary cellulitis, 75% had a hind limb afflicted and all 20 samples gathered from them revealed positive microbiological cultures, with coagulase-positive Staphylococcus species appearing in 12 of these 20 cases.
- The short-term survival rate recorded was 67% for horses with primary cellulitis.
- For long-term follow-up, out of nine horses, seven were still serving their intended purpose, but four had experienced a recurrence.
- In horses presenting with secondary cellulitis, 81% of the 16 samples collected returned positive microbiological cultures.
- The short-term survival rate in this instance was higher, estimated at 90%.
- Out of 17 horses available for long-term follow-up, 11 were still being used for their original purposes, but 2 had a recurrence.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that cellulitis could pose a life-threatening condition in horses.
- Crucially, the survival outcomes were significantly worse for horses that were febrile during admission or if they developed laminitis.
- The likelihood of these horses returning to their intended use was uncertain, and recurrence was found to be a prevalent concern.
Cite This Article
APA
Adam EN, Southwood LL.
(2007).
Primary and secondary limb cellulitis in horses: 44 cases (2000-2006).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 231(11), 1696-1703.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.231.11.1696 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA 19348-1692, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
- Cellulitis / drug therapy
- Cellulitis / microbiology
- Cellulitis / pathology
- Cellulitis / veterinary
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Hindlimb
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Male
- Prognosis
- Recurrence
- Retrospective Studies
- Risk Factors
- Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
- Staphylococcal Infections / pathology
- Staphylococcal Infections / veterinary
- Survival Analysis
- Time Factors
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Hardefeldt L, Thomas K, Page S, Norris J, Browning G, El Hage C, Stewart A, Gilkerson J, Muscatello G, Verwilghen D, van Galen G, Bauquier J, Cuming R, Reynolds B, Whittaker C, Wilkes E, Clulow J, Burden C, Begg L. Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for horses in Australia. Aust Vet J 2025 Dec;103(12):781-889.
- Huang X, Deng R, Huang H, Xie H, Chen A. Pseudomonas-Enterobacter Co-Infection Drives Cellulitis and Lymphangitis in Equines: A Case Report. Vet Sci 2025 Jun 11;12(6).
- Brys M, Claerebout E, Chiers K. Chronic Progressive Lymphedema in Belgian Draft Horses: Understanding and Managing a Challenging Disease. Vet Sci 2023 May 12;10(5).
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