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  Discussion on Strep purpua
Author Message
New Member:
foxknoll

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 5, 2008 - 12:13 pm:

hi this is my 1st time here..i'll try to make this short but need help...a couple of yrs ago my neighbor/who shares a fence line/ bought a horse from auction..did not quarentine. his horse had strangles....i run a rescue (always quarentine for several wks etc.before intro to herd..kinda nuts about safty)(vets told not to vacc as the vacc is imperfect and can bring about strangles) had 17 at time...lost 4 to internal strangles of intestine.my neighbors horse had strangles and it rampaged my farm...did everything poss to eradicate..followed cdc guidlines to a T now my only horse that is and always will be mine came in stocked up w/ fever yesterday..called vet he said it was strep purpua..i've been doing massive (according to vet advice) pennic...he is no longer sweating..his swelling is down,had 102.2 temp but is down to normal now ..at 1st thought colic from toxic weed although still have some grass horses have fantastic free choice round bales and don't stall most as they are claustrophobic, due to awful previous racetrack conditions... vet said very bad prognosis prob will die... but he feels much better today..has anyone out there been through this? i'm so afraid i'll loose my best friend spent last night out w/ him giving him 20cc pennic every 24 hours..any input appreciated..helen foxknoll farm second start thortoughbreds ..am i being overly optomistic because he feels better today? in real life i'm a pathologist (before running this crazy horse and eveything else rescue farm) ..in humans antibiotics take 72 hrs to kick in..any input greatly appreciated...thanks so much..H
Member:
mrose

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 5, 2008 - 1:19 pm:

Hi Helen, we had a horse that had Purpura Hemographica and he did recover although it took a long time and lots of treatment. He became very swollen in the legs and even in the sheath area.

Have you read the attached article regarding this condition? If not, please do. It goes into detail re: treatment. Our horse was not only on antibiotics, but also corticosteroids. We had to cold hose his legs and put pressure wraps on them also. I'm sure you'll be hearing from Dr.O. on this. I just wanted to let you know that a horse can survive it.
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 5, 2008 - 4:10 pm:

This sounds very frightening, helen, though it sounds like some good signs right now, and I hope that you will continue to see improvement.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Nov 6, 2008 - 7:18 am:

Welcome Helen,
First let me say that we cannot identify this as purpura from your post there are viral diseases that cause fever and peripheral swelling, for an example of one see Diseases of Horses » Cardiovascular, Blood, and Immune System » Equine Viral Arteritis.

Has there been recent exposure to antigen that might have induced a episode of purpura? Note that purpura is not an infection but a immune reaction to deposited immune complexes, this is explained in the article on Strangles. So if you are CONVINCED this is purpura you should consider the use of dexamethasone. Antibiotics are usually continued to prevent infection of the distended traumatized tissues. Next let me say 20 cc of penicillin q24h in a standard size horse is underdosing. For more on recommended forms and dosages of penicillin see Treatments and Medications for Horses » Antibiotics and Antimicrobials » Penicillin. There are also links to penicillin and dexamethasone and other recommended treatments in the article.
DrO
PS Helen, it is helpful to those trying to read your posts if you will write in complete sentences with proper punctuation. You will get more and better replies that way.
New Member:
foxknoll

Posted on Thursday, Nov 6, 2008 - 5:19 pm:

thanks everyone for your answers. am happy to say that my horse is feeling better today still. as of a few minutes ago no fever, swelling in legs nor heat in feet. i called vet and waiting for reply. i sure hope he was wrong, i'll keep you updated. once again many thanks, for both knowledge and empathy. will try to do better with spelling and punctuation, i'm a rotten typest. Helen
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Nov 7, 2008 - 8:42 am:

helen,
Has there been recent exposure to antigen (vaccination or disease) that might have induced a episode of purpura?
DrO
New Member:
foxknoll

Posted on Friday, Nov 7, 2008 - 10:33 am:

wow, you are a great vet..(thank you for taking an interest in my situation) I just might put you in my own James Harriet listing along with my current vet who i think is wonderful!!!..my horse had strangles along w/ rest of herd 2 1/2 years ago i had not vaccinated as i was told vaccination is imperfect and can cause strangles or strangles related complications)..my vet said he was having a reaction to developed antigens..he is in fine fettle at moment..talked to vet last night..no temp, his gums are back to normal, no swelling or heat..hope we nipped this in the bud. very used to human disease, learn more about horses everyday..by the way in response to prior notice you wrote vet deffinetley thought this was strep purpua, and said prognosis very grim. Reason i felt this was massive antibiotics is because jar of pennicillin said 10 cc every 48 hours and i was told to give 20cc every 24 hours..have run this rescue for 5 yrs..learn tons everyday..thanks again
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Nov 9, 2008 - 10:09 am:

Thanks helen,
The lack of recent exposure does make purpura less likely but does not throw it off the list all together. For other possibilities see Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Leg Swellings » Hot & Painful Legs.
DrO
New Member:
foxknoll

Posted on Sunday, Nov 9, 2008 - 5:20 pm:

Thank you for your help, I'm deffinetley going to check those sites out. From all I've done, seen , heard, etc. I think maybe my vet was incorrect. I can't imagine such a quick recovery from something that is so dire. thanks again to you and everyone else who responded so kindly, Helen
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Nov 10, 2008 - 8:44 am:

The time recovered does not rule it out as purpura can vary from a mild (self limiting) to severe (practically untreatable) episode.
DrO
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