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  Discussion on Vaccine Reaction lasting 2 weeks
Author Message
Member:
Mjane

Posted on Monday, Nov 17, 2003 - 10:10 pm:

DrO,
We had our horses vaccinated two weeks ago and all went well except for one. This mare had vaccines for WEE, EEE, Tetanus, Rhino and Flu.
Day 2: Her neck at the injection site was swollen to about the size of both my fists and was just as hard. She had a great deal of difficulty lowering her head. I began Banamine Paste 2gm.
Day 3: The swelling was considerably less and she was able to lower her head with more ease.
Day 4: Continued the Banamine.
Day 5: Reduced Banamine to 1gm.
Day 6: Out of Banamine and no more to be found. I also thought she was enough better to stop the medication. Wrong!
Day 7: Neck swollen again and as bad as before.
Started bute paste 2gm.
Day 8: Swelling again reduced.
Days 9-12: Continued bute and began reducing dose to 1 gm on the last 2 days.
Day 13: No bute given
Day 14: Back to square one with the fist sized hard swelling. Mare seems depressed but appetite is good. Began bute 2mg again.

Does this seem too long for the swelling and stiffness to persist? Am I not dosing the NSAID high enough for a long enough period of time?

I'm trying to decide if this warrants a call to my vet for further evaluation.

Thanks,
Jane
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2003 - 6:54 am:

Hello MJane,
While this is longer than most aseptic (no infection) reactions it does happen. The question is whether an abscess is forming or not. As long as the problem is very responsive to bute there probably is not an abscess and treatment is carried out as long as it takes to keep the horse comfortable, perhaps another week. If it quits responding to bute it is a pretty clear indication of abscessation. For as early a diagnosis as possible and to avoid further complications of an abscess you should discuss this with your vet and whether he should go ahead and examine the horse and possibly with an ultrasound.

Not knowing the weight, age, pregnacy status, and past medical history of your horse I cannot judge your bute dosage. You will find our recommendations along with other important information at » Equine Medications and Nutriceuticals » Anti-inflammatories: NSAID's, Steroids, and Arthritis Treatment » Phenylbutazone (Bute). Any decision to treat should be based on a discussion with your veterinarian.
DrO
Member:
Mjane

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2003 - 9:09 pm:

DrO,
Thanks for your response. I had read your recommendations for the NSAID dosage and followed that. While the swelling in her neck is reduced, it is by no means gone. Without bute it is about the size of 2 fists, with bute it is the size of one. Maybe that remaining "fist" is the beginning of an abscess? I hope not!
I plan to continue the medication for another week. I will also discuss this with my vet.
Thanks again,
Jane
Member:
Mjane

Posted on Friday, Nov 21, 2003 - 3:32 pm:

DrO,
I had my vet examine the swelling in her neck 2 days ago. The area is still fist sized and very firm. She did not show pain when he palpated the area so he did not suspect an abscess and therefore elected to give no antibiotic. He suggested I continue the bute 2mg once a day for another week and keep an eye on her for any changes. If she is not much improved at the end of the week he will give her a shot of hyDrOcortizone.

This all seems very appropriate to me, however the mare still has a great deal of difficulty lowering her head and just seems generally depressed. She does eat/drink but it takes about 2 hours post bute dose before she is able to do so and even then with great effort. (I hold her food and water up for her before the med takes effect.)

I have read all the info on bute and Banamine and based upon this experience with my mare the Banamine seemed to work much better. That is what I gave her the first week. When I ran out, I started with the bute paste. (Unfortunately the Banamine is on back order with the manufacturer so there is none to be found around here). Maybe the change in NSAIDs had nothing to do with a worsening, or at least no change, in her condition. Have you observed a difference between these two NSAIDs when it comes to a reduction in swelling? Also, would it be better to divide the dose, 1mg AM and 1mg PM so that she might feel better in the mornings? I don't like giving this for 3 weeks, but at this point seems the only way to keep her somewhat comfortable.

This mare weighs about 800-900lbs, 8 years old and not pregnant. She has a good medical history.

Thanks,
Jane
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Nov 21, 2003 - 7:14 pm:

No in fact I have found 1 to 2 gm bute twice daily more helpful, and far cheaper, than 10 cc Banamine once daily, in a thousand pound horse, for this type inflammation. Inflamation is always harder to treat after it has gotten bad than treating to prevent it.
DrO
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