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Out of ideas - any thoughts?; Rescue mare and continuous problems
Topic Started: Sep 24 2007, 03:18 PM (267 Views)
JCIbarra
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I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision
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Hi all! This may get long, so thanks to anyone who can bear with me and offer suggestions.

I originally contacted the "seller" looking at this mare as a resale. I scheduled an appointment to go look at her the next day. I received an email later that day stating that when she had gone to go get the mare out of her pasture, she found that her hind leg was swollen and she would not bear any weight on it. She was going to have the vet out in the morning. I went ahead and told her that I'd keep the appointment the following day. When I arrived, I was told that the vet had done hock and stifle x-rays and they were clean. The vet had started her on bute and banamine and wrapped the leg. No other treatment. The mare looked awful, and I really didn't think that the seller cared to do any further treatment so I offered them $500 and I'd take her that day. She was able to get on the trailer, but not much more than that.

I spoke with the seller's vet the following day and was informed that she had instructions from the owner to "do as little as possible, since the horse is for sale".

By that evening, the entire bandage was totally soaked with yellow serum. The leg was completely infected. By the next day the infection moved into her hip, flank, back and belly. She had softball sized pockets of fluid in several areas. She was started on penicillin, which gave her hives. She was then started on sulfa for 15 days. Swelling left her hips, back and belly, and her flanks "abcessed", leaking quite a bit of the yellow serum. Leg swelling went down quite a bit, and she can walk, trot and canter now. Swelling began to come back in the leg after the end of sulfa, so she is back on that for another 3 weeks and we are now on week 2.

The newest thing is she has developed what looks like a half dollar size blister at the base of her tail but on the underside. She is still pretty thin, but does not have much of an appetite. My vet wants to see her back once the sulfa treatment is completed, but do any of you have any ideas at this point?

Sorry for the long post, and my rambling. Thanks in advance!
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2hsmommy
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It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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No ideas, but lots of jingles!!
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Witchy
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You're BANNED!
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It sounds like she had cellulitis which turned into lymphangitis. Lymphangitis is an infection of the lymph system and is very painful, which would explain the three legged lame thing. The infection can spread to anywhere the horse has lymph glands and the leaking of serum is typical of cellulitis. I'd take her to the nearest clinic with a good diagnostic lab and find out what antibiotic she should be on at this point. IV Naxcell and Lasix is what was used on my mare when she has lymphangitis and she was cleared up very quickly. I'd have her on the trailer tomorrow to find out what more can be done. Good luck.
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OTF
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JCIbarra
Sep 24 2007, 05:18 PM

I spoke with the seller's vet the following day and was informed that she had instructions from the owner to "do as little as possible, since the horse is for sale".


Sorry, I can't offer any veterinary advice, but I sure take exception to the seller's instructions to her vet! That really stinks, in my opinion. :pissed: It's a crying shame that people have no sense of doing what's right for an animal that depends upon them (and this doesn't sounds like a case of ignorance, more like greed).

I hope you and your vet will be able to turn her around and get her over this, and hats off to you for taking on the responsibility and the bills!

Perhaps some others here will have some medical suggestions that will help you, and I sure wish you the best with this.
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Wayside
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We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
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Witchy
Sep 24 2007, 03:50 PM
It sounds like she had cellulitis which turned into lymphangitis.

That was my first thought as well.

Here's hoping you can get this cleared up in time :luck: And kudos to you for taking this mare on.
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jillincolorado
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Sending ***JINGLES*** your way for speedy recovery.

We are battling a case of cellulitis/lymphangitis ourselves (see other thread). It was caught very early, but four weeks later, he's still VERY swollen on the affected limb (but not lame). Seems to take quite awhile for recovery, and it sounds like your mare has a more serious case of it. :(
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SadiesMom
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Is the meadow on fire?
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Jingles and hugs for you and your mare!!! I, too, cannot believe the former owner's request to the vet to do the minimal! It's just fortunate that you, a true lover of animals got her and can hopefully help her through this!! Good luck!
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