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  Discussion on Nasal Discharge 3+ weeks
Author Message
Member:
Paix

Posted on Thursday, Jan 8, 2004 - 2:49 am:

Dr0,

(sorry if this was posted in error on someone elses post-i lost the first post i was wkg on and am not sure if it posted or not)

my 1y6m andalusian, Bello, has a runny nose going on 3+ weeks. Never a Temp. It started as follows:

In conjunction with his move (3+ wks ago), he was moved from a Lg Box stall with full indoor protection from cold, wind, rain, etc. AND from an area in So. Calif tht is at least 20-30* diff in temp to where I moved him to in Acton, Calif.

He was moved to a lg exposed hillside paddock with an appx 16X10X8 shelter along w/one of my other horses, Chester.

I soon (cpl days) realized Chester (3y/o PMU DraftXPaint) didnt want to share the food or shelter. I also noticed what "seemed" like a bit of Pink Eye starting in Chester.

I checked Bello, he had a very mild runny nose clear and mild cloudy whitish mix loose mucous plus very hard dried chunks of, what I supposed was dried mucous and dirt (it was black). No abnormal odor.

I chkd his eyes. One eye (same eye as Chesters) had a spot of cloudy white mucous (ive seen dzns of times in horses w/o infection) but his eye did look a bit glazy.

I completely cleaned his nose (chester actually had a some of the same - hard dried chunks at outside rim of nostrils) - no abnormal odor.

I treated both w/a triple neomycin AB opthamalic.

Next day, Bellos eyes seemed ok - I didnt administer any more opthamalic.

Winds are intense (30mph+) and freezing - low level water has been icing up - the windchill is biting!

(I also thought of our recent fires and all the dust and dirt in our air)

Chester (overo) was very pink in "white" eye and moderate discharge and pink in nose area - like a sunburn - just at the thin unpigmented areas. BTW, He had NO nasal discharge after that first cleaning of dirt and chunks.

I cont'd to give Chester AB opthamalic for a cpl days. It didnt seem to make a difference. I stopped - it just seemed more weather rxn related to me than an infection. He looked like (fair skin me) when Ive had bad wind burn: glassy eyes, pink sclera, discharge, pink/red skin/chaffed.

I moved Chester to a pipe stall 3-sided covered and fairly well protectd from wind - he began to show improvement, v e r y slowly. But the wind is still harsh and cold - still no nasal discharge and never a fever. The pink is improving. I have been using Desitin to help protect the area.

Bello is my concern. He still has runny nose a little bit is clear but mostly strings of cloudy whitish mucous that has increased to a moderate rather than mild level as in the beginning.

Never any hard dried chunks since the first time I cleaned him.

I clean his nose and a moderate amt of the mucous is always present. The owner of the ranch, who has pregnant mares, wants me to get SMZs to clear it up.

Part of my feeling about it is that I dont want to use AB if not needed, my other horse, Salem, was put on the hillside with him when I moved Chester. He has been there with Bello for a good 2+ weeks and not a sign of anything. I realize Salem is 24 and has had years to build immunity to mild colds, etc.

Ive had Salem 13 yrs and hes never shown a hint of virus or cold.

Without a fever and no other signs (same stallionesque spunk, drinks and eats well (alfalfa and supps). He will ALWAYS take more food!

Maybe it wld clear up if off hillside - owner doesnt want him next to anyone else for fear of spread, which I understand.

Or, maybe its time for AB? What are some of the "weaker" ABs that seem to clear up infection so well tht i can buy and admin? I learned about this from reading ur article on AB use and overuse.

BTW - he has developed a nice winter coat but is blanketed as well.

Thank you so much for listening to me detailed diatribe.

I love this site and value your opinion and the many members' as well.

Thanks Again,
dina
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jan 8, 2004 - 7:17 am:

Your first inclination is exactly right, a healthy acting horse with no fever and a bilateral seromucous discharge is not a candidate for antibiotics: it will disappear on its own with time.
Member:
Paix

Posted on Thursday, Jan 8, 2004 - 9:04 am:

THANK YOU - For your very prompt response!!!

I will talk to owner about moving him off hillside to a more protected area - the winds are terrible - he'll have a much better chance at clearing up.

dina
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