This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Respiratory System » Nasal Discharge in the Horse »
  Discussion on New Article: Nasal Discharge in the Horse
Author Message
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 2, 2008 - 9:27 am:

Abnormal nasal discharges is a common event in horses which includes
  • a clear (serous) discharge
  • cloudy or snotty (mucopurulent) discharge
  • bloody (hemorrhagic) discharge or epistaxis.
Often the history, appearance, odor, whether bilateral or just one side, and whether accompanied by other signs of disease will help diagnose the problem but sometimes further diagnostic work will be required. This article discusses these different characteristics and what it may mean and the further diagnostic work that may be required for a diagnosis with links provided to the specific diseases that cause nasal discharge. Also discussed is the treatment plan for a horse with a snotty discharge do to uncomplicated sinusitis. To access article click here.
New Member:
jenc

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 2, 2008 - 5:31 pm:

My 14 year old TB mare has been treated for unilateral sinusitis to great frustration. Three courses of antibiotics over 6 weeks time since October failed to resolve the issue. She has been scoped twice, three oral exams performed, blood work done- all of which were negative. Guttural pouches were normal. No cysts, tumors, foreign bodies found. She was taken to an equine hospital for 10 days of diagnostics and treatment.Radiograph and CT scan of skull revealed only one questionable tooth (#109) which was subsequently pulled based upon diagnostics. No tumors, cysts, masses were found in imaging tests. The removed tooth appeared healthy as did the root. The socket was packed for recovery and healing. Trepanation of skull in to sinus was done prior to CT with b.i.d. flushing of sinus. The odor has somewhat improved, however the purulent discharge remains. She had been flushed for 10 days, the hole was closed. I was able to bring her home this past Saturday. The snotty discharge continues. She is on Trimeth Sulfa and Bute. It has been a thoroughly frustrating and expensive situation with only very modest progress being made. I have decided to let her have time to rest and continue treatment with antibiotics. They say the next step is a flap procedure which is questionable at best in her case and I am not ready to put her through this yet. I am thinking it will take time for the drainage to come through the cavity that was created where the tooth was pulled since there is packing there. I am also thinking perhaps she is not responding to Trimeth Sulfa as she has been taking it for so long and the effectiveness may not be what it should. Should I consider switching antibiotics to see if that might be more effective? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Perhaps time, patience, and antibiotic modification is in order. I am at a loss at this point. Thank you.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 3, 2008 - 8:01 am:

Welcome Jennifer,
What is the current working diagnosis of the veterinarian, or at least what is on his rule out list? Did anyone put a scope in through the trephined opening to see what is going on? How about cytology and culture of the exudate in the sinus and the mucosa that is exuding the discharge?
DrO
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC