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Discussion on Dew poisoning
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New Member:
1907
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 3, 2003 - 10:40 pm:
My yearling filly showed swollen hind legs and was diagnosed with dew poisoning after a long period of rain (she is kept year round on a gras pasture). After been treated with SMZ and an immune booster I kept her inside for about a week. After washing her legs with soap and viodine and putting corona cream on her on a daily basis her legs finally showed reduction of swelling and the wounds are closing. I keep the skin soft with glycerine and petroleum jelly.
My question - is there any information what kind of weeds are causing this (all my other horses show no signs of infection) and what can be done to prevent this?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Jul 4, 2003 - 11:10 am:
Better treatment for dew poisoning would have been good local treatment in combination with oral bute to relieve the swelling. I do not use antibioics for swollen legs, unless there was fever, and the immune potentiation is contraindicated: frequently there is a over active immune component causing the problem. Your other questions are answered at, Equine Diseases » Skin Diseases » Scratches, Grease Heel, Dew Poisoning, & Mud Fever.
DrO
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Member:
Presario
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Posted on Monday, Jul 7, 2003 - 10:05 pm:
Dr O, you piqued my curiosity with your statement of "frequently there is an overactive immune component causing the problem" - really? I've never heard that! I'm assuming that the rest of the cases are likely an underactive immune system? Or does immunity sometimes have nothing to do with it? I ask because Rio's white legs are prone to scratches and have always thought it was due to under-active immunity, so would be very curious as to the over-active scenario!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 8, 2003 - 7:04 am:
The immune component, an allergic reaction in this case, is explained in the article I reference above. It is important to understand you do not need to have an underactive immune system to have an infection. Overactivation of the immune system in the face of infection is a common event. Septic shock, some forms of hemolytic anemia, and purpura would be examples seen in horses. Peracute pnemonias in humans can cause death by fluid accumulation due to inflammation brought on by an overstimulated immune system. Last I heard one of the sugested treatments for SARS included corticosteroids to attenuate the immune response.
DrO
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