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 » Discussions on Respiratory System not covered by the above »
  Discussion on Collapsed lung
Author Message
Member:
walkingd

Posted on Friday, May 29, 2009 - 4:25 am:

We have a 13 yr old broodmare that ran and jumped over the corner of a gate and had a large laceration on her left side. Took her to our vet immediately after it happened and also found 2 busted ribs and torn muscle all the way through. he said her lung had collapsed on that side. We opted not for referal and to do what we could within reason. He removed part of one of the ribs because it was shattered and had sharp edges turned to the inside. The other rib was left alone. He sewed her back up and did not give her much chance of survival. Made a follow up visit yesterday to install a drain tube and from all indications she is still breathing on 1 lung. Her overall appearance is better than he or I expected. A mild temp 101.8 and she is eating and drinking and appears to be mildly uncomfortable, although she does not move around alot. I wouldn't either as broke ribs hurt. We are giving 35cc Penn. and 25cc Gent. daily along with 1.5 gms bute twice a day for pain. This is the 4th day since the accident. Neither the vet nor I have seen anything to this extent and I was wondering if it were possible for a horse's lung to "reinflate"? after it collapses or if not can a horse live on 1 lung. Thanks Brian Anderton.
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Friday, May 29, 2009 - 7:06 am:

Brian,

Oh my, how awful! Luckily you got her to a vet asap.

I have no clue how this will turn out, can't wait to hear what DrO says.

Keep us posted, we all learn from each other's experiences here, sadly even these scary ones.

Prayers for her and you.
Member:
canter

Posted on Friday, May 29, 2009 - 7:24 am:

Wow, Brian. What an awful accident. Wishing your mare well and I hope she continues to surprise you and the vet with a full recovery.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, May 29, 2009 - 7:39 am:

Welcome Brian,
You do not mention how the horse is breathing, is he having difficulties? Also what are his vital signs, temperature, pulse, respiratory rate and character, and mucous membrane color?

Yes it is possible to reinflate a lung but wonder about the time frame following the injury. A Heimlich (or flutter) valve should be installed to aid the process. This valve allows air and fluid out but no air back in helping reinflate the lungs with each breath. Here is a review of 40 cases of pneumothorax and suggests a survival rate of about 70% though we don't know the extent of the injuries of those who survived and those who didn't. When I get into my office I should have the reference and I will see if there is more detailed information.

As to whether a horse can live with one lung I do not know nor have I ever read of such a case.
DrO
Member:
stek

Posted on Friday, May 29, 2009 - 10:21 am:

Wow. Brian, just wanted to ask is this broodmare in foal right now? If so how close to her due date?
Member:
walkingd

Posted on Friday, May 29, 2009 - 11:32 am:

Temp was 101.8 this morning. 4 days since injury. Mare is eating fairly well. Drinking water good. Hydration does not appear to be an issue right now. Gum color is good. Breathing is fair as I have not counted her breaths per minute but from observation she is breathing a little slower than normal. I do notice that when she nickers she is not very loud with it. Kinda like a half nicker! I am trying to do everything within reason to save this mare but their is 65 other head on the place that have to be looked after requiring a great deal of finacial obligations. We would not have elected to go this long with this one if her general apperance and character was not as good as it was. Yes this mare is in foal but only about 1 month. She had a 2 month old colt that was colicking and we was trying to get her up when the accident happened. Colt died anyway from twisted gut. Wished now we had left them alone!! I just wandered with time will the lung reinflate or get worse without intervention. My vet seems to think weve done about all we could up to this point.
Member:
erika

Posted on Friday, May 29, 2009 - 11:59 am:

Oh so sorry about the foal and the mare's accident. Hope she pulls through.
Erika
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, May 29, 2009 - 4:41 pm:

I don't know, without a way for the air to escape, it can be absorbed slowly but don't know how long a process that might be and how the delay might effect the lungs ability to recover. Often wounds will act as a valve, but sometimes the wrong way. I will continue to do some research but with no more particulars than we have we are all going to watch this one to see what happens day by day.

I think your vital signs are very encouraging.
DrO
Member:
walkingd

Posted on Monday, Jun 1, 2009 - 5:25 am:

Well, 1 week has gone by and vital signs are not any worse and not really a lot better. Temp staying in the 102 range. We did have to take her back to the vet and put a drain tube in as alot of fluid was buiding up and was not draining out. When he stitched her up he left the last 1" open to drain but the fluid didn't drain there. He listened to her lungs and still thinks only one is working. He also said he never thought she would make it this far and she had to be one tough mare. Current plan is continue Penn. and Gentacin till we get normal temp readings for 3 days in a row. Bute or flunix as needed for pain and temp. Keeping watch on hydration as well. By the way Dr. O this is a TWH and we do raise Performance horses as this mares last colt was a Reserve World Champion last year. I noticed on one of your other posts that you made mention of padded horses and abuse, not trying to start something but abuse today in the TWH is pretty much gone. We sold a 19 year old gelding 2 year ago that was last years Juvenile World Champion. Not bad for a 21 year old. Abuse-- I don't think so!!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jun 1, 2009 - 7:21 am:

Hello Brian,
having a deep appreciation for the breed in general I been intimately involved with the TWH for the past 20 years. Abuse is not gone in my opinion, unless I am unaware of a change in the rules disallowing the padded up show horse. I believe the fully padded up TWH is being abused based on the these horse's generally depressed demeanor and the difficult way of going for these horses. You can add to that assessment the permanent damage that several years of pads do to the feet, in particular the contracted heels.

I know there are those who disagree that this assessment but I continue to speak for nothing heavier than a plantation shoe in the show ring. My ideal would be to a association who's primary goal is to promote the ideal everyday riding horse and not a pacey horse that has to be squared up with weight so it walks. Imagine where the breed would be today if this had been there goal for the last 60 years. And it is the future of horse associations in general I hope.
DrO
Member:
erika

Posted on Monday, Jun 1, 2009 - 9:09 am:

Brian, my heart breaks for this mare. She must be in a lot of pain.

Let me say this a gently as I can: You sound very proud of your horses and your breeding program. I believe that when one is a responsible breeder, one owes the horse the best care one can give. I understand that it would have been impossible to predict this happening, but horses do get injured /sick for all sorts of reasons.

It is my belief that a person who owns 60+ horses of excellent quality should be willing to pay for whatever insures their welfare. Why did you opt against referral to an equine hospital that might be able to help the mare further? She must be in tremendous pain. I know a human who survived a collapsed lung and it was incredibly painful and difficult recovery--even with reinflation and top care.

I guess my point is, this is not a herd of wild mustangs. These are champion quality horses that are building your reputation and probably earning you some income. I think you ought to revisit either more "heroic" treatment methods, or euthanize this poor mare. I would hate to read that this mare suffers and dies from lack of what money can buy. If that is to be her end, I hope you can at least make it less drawn out for her.

Sorry to offend. I just feel like she must be suffering terribly.
Erika
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