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  Discussion on Staphylococcus aureus pnemonia
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New Member:
vgoff

Posted on Friday, Dec 31, 2010 - 10:51 am:

I am a new member. I have been treating a 6 yr old TB mare since Nov 15, today is Dec 31. 25cc pen G twice a day. Local vets failed to diagnose and mare was sick for several months, might have gotten this from off the track, she was a very good racehorse and is breeding stock. Lesions on lungs 75% improved. This is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life and some days I want to give up. I joined this forum in order to find someone who has been through this. I have had horses all my life and I have to tell you, I have never known a horse with more heart than this horse. Help me please if you can!
Member:
mrose

Posted on Friday, Dec 31, 2010 - 11:57 am:

Hi Victoria; I hope Dr. O will answer you soon. I don't have any medical advice, but do want to encourage you. Horses have an amazing will to live and come through terrible injuries and illness with the right care and lots of time.

What was the diagnosis; pnuemonia or pigeon fever? I think the lesions can be from both? I've dealt with both diseases; a foal with a severe case of pneumonia, and a mare with P.F. Both took what seemed like eons to recover, but both did recover fully with no long term ill effects.

Have you had a chance to do a search here for more info? If not, either go to diseases in the left hand bar, and search the DrOp down menu. Or, you can also do a search in the bar at top right of the page. I'm sure you'll find article and discussions relating to your mare's problem.

Good luck with her, and Happy New Year!
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Friday, Dec 31, 2010 - 2:21 pm:

I've not had to deal with pneumonia, Victoria but over the years my horses have had a number of lengthy serious illnesses or conditions where the outcome was uncertain for a very long while. I understand completely about the stress and exhaustion that comes into play with long term critical horse care.

There were a few times along the way when I just sat down and cried but I never gave up and so far have always had good outcomes for my horses.

HA is a wonderful resource and I hope that you will find it as helpful as I have.

Wishing you the best of luck with your mare.
New Member:
vgoff

Posted on Friday, Dec 31, 2010 - 2:28 pm:

Vet thinks she might have inhaled the MSSA and has been sick for a while. Stress of training and shipping was a factor. The Procaine G Penicillin is working but the injection sites are horrible. I do heat compresses and DMSO which works. I ice after injection. I noticed that a lymph node on the left side will swell, she will get depressed and maybe spike a fever, then it will go down and she returns to normal. WBC will rise during these spells. This lymph node swelling just started a couple of weeks ago.
I give bute right when I see it start now and I don't get the fever.

Now I am going to admit something I did which I wouldn't have done if I hadn't been desperate. The injection sites were so bad, I couldn't give her a shot so I mixed penicillin and pure DMSO and rubbed it on her sides (they are shaved).
I gave her some bute and then got myself really drunk. The next day she was much improved but that can't be possible can it? I'm afraid to tell the vet what I did.

This horse has never stopped eating. She has gained weight and has a nice shine on her coat but the RBC count is just barely above anemia. I give her equine senior and red cell liquid. Seems like something in Source helps her.

She has never had nasal discharge and rarely coughs. Vet said she might be in a lot of pain but she doesn't show it. Sometimes she sweats between her back legs and stands very still with her head down. It passes and then she perks up.

I am using a very good vet in Louisiana but I only see him once a month and I have to haul her there. The local vets were unable to diagnose her and I spent a fortune on them. This vet diagnosed her in one minute with a stethoscope and then did a bronchial lavage, cultured it and put her on penicillin. He said what she has is rare but that good nursing can save her. I really like this Dr. Strickland and I think he honestly cares.

I have searched the web and finally decided to subscribe to this forum in hopes that someone who is experienced in this kind of treatment can give me tips.

The vet said that those lesions can burst and the body has to rid itself of the pus and maybe that is what is going on. He said that the next phase may be other meds and he has to research what those will be but that as long as the penicillin is working, it is the best and safest drug to bust the lesions.

Her name is Pickitup and she's by Put It Back. She is a very intelligent horse, always brought in a paycheck at the track, ran with such heart.
I think she ran sick looking back on it because she was DrOpping weight and trainer couldn't figure out why. She doesn't like anyone but me now even though I'm the one giving her those shots.

This is really tough - I feel so alone and miserable even though I have a wonderful husband who helps me in every way possible.
Member:
scooter

Posted on Friday, Dec 31, 2010 - 3:50 pm:

Victoria, you made me laugh out loud with your confession, we all do some weird things out of desperation, I know I have.

In years gone by I have had a few cases of pneumonia, I couldn't keep giving my horse penicillin for a few reasons, so my vet at the time had me switch to Tribissen.. it is a paste, pretty pricey, but easy on the horse and YOU! and seemed to work as well as the Pen. if not better. Have you asked your vet if there is something else that may work? If the pen hasn't worked completely in getting rid of it in over a month and a half, you have to wonder if it is going to.

Like the members above, I have had horses heal themselves from unbelievable things, sometimes it takes time.

Does she seem uncomfortable? What are her symptoms other than swollen glands?
Member:
scooter

Posted on Friday, Dec 31, 2010 - 3:56 pm:

Sorry I just re-read and saw her symptoms. I skim sometimes
Member:
paul303

Posted on Friday, Dec 31, 2010 - 8:09 pm:

Easy, Victoria, you've got a great horse there....don't panic. You've got the antibiotics going, and the vet is working in it. I'm a believer in DMSO when used properly and have personally witnessed its' many benefits. Your horse isn't showing any disasterous total breakdowns, so trust your vet as long as you are maintaining status quo. Please, keep us informed.
Member:
36541

Posted on Friday, Dec 31, 2010 - 9:02 pm:

Hi Victoria and welcome to HA. Like the others, I have seen a few of my beloved horses through some long illnesses that seemed hopeless, but all 6 are still waiting for me every morning, whinnying when I call them and raising my spirits with the sound of their thundering hoofs. I too joined HA in my blackest hour with a very sick young one, and consider my membership the best horse money I've ever spent. I haven't dealt with pneumonia, sorry, but am sending healing thoughts your way. Where are you in MS? I am on the coast, about two miles west of your state line. Also I know we'd all love to see a picture of your girl if you are so inclined. Best Wishes, hang tough... Stacy
New Member:
vgoff

Posted on Saturday, Jan 1, 2011 - 1:11 am:

Today Pickitup seemed to be back to her old self. She ate great, looked fantastic! I turned her out with my broodmare and around 1:30 pm she started rolling. Colic. I gave her some banamine but it didn't help and by the time the vet got out around 4, she was in a great deal of pain. He tubed her and she was gassed up - it was in her small intestines - twisted maybe. There was no hope and he had to put her down. It's New Year's eve and no one to bury her. She lying in my pasture, covered with her blankets and I am so completely sad you can't imagine. I don't know if I should burn her because she had MSSA and I have wells. At least she is not in pain anymore and I was thinking today that her poor feet couldn't stand another founder. Poor girl. She was such a fine horse and so brave. Vet said horses are colicing all over - he had treated four today already. Said drastic weather changes seem to bring them on - it was 72 degrees today and a few days ago, it was freezing. She always would have a bout of sweats when the weather changed - I told the vet that a while back.

I will tell you about her. She always nickered to me and when she didn't, she was feeling bad. She would chase out anyone from the pasture except if I was there. I was always hearing stories about how crazy she was but I never saw her act the way they said. Come, let me see this evil horse and then they would watch me pick up her feet, pull her tail and do just about anything with her. I would just say 'quit' and if she was pawing, she would stop. Just one 'quit' would do it. She was born unafraid of people. She was black with a white star on her forehead and she was a bit arab looking, to me she had an arablike way about her. She would push me with her head to tell me to go do something. Her dam is out of Red Ransom whose half sister threw a breeders cup champion, her sire Pick It Up threw a couple of Florida horses of the year and he stands in Ky now. She was a tough little racehorse until she got sick. She looked exactly like her sire.

She was a pain to break. Liked to buck off riders. But she settled to racing, never made a mistake, ran with heart. She never once bit or kicked me - not once but she would other people if they got her mad - and she would back up and aim. She was always quiet in the racing paddock.

I'm so glad that these past few weeks, I spent a lot of time grooming her and just holding her head when she felt bad. She loved that! She always obeyed me - always! She loved for me to scratch her butt and comb her forelock. She loved my dog Emma who guarded her body for several hours until I called her in.

She had many lines of Man O'War - her dams broodmare sire was In Reality and her sire descended from In Reality.

I hope that I will see her one day in heaven. I guess it's silly.

A kiss to you my sweet darling. I was honored to have known you and you will always be in my heart!
Member:
36541

Posted on Saturday, Jan 1, 2011 - 2:26 am:

so very very sorry, my deepest sympathies...

"God forbid that I should go to any Heaven in which there are no horses"
R.B. Cunninghame Graham
Member:
mrose

Posted on Saturday, Jan 1, 2011 - 2:48 am:

I'm so sorry. Over the years I've lost several horses, mostly to old age, and a few to illness. The ones lost to illness are the most difficult. I always think "what did I miss" "what could I have done differently?" Sadly, sometimes there just isn't anything we can do except relieve them from their pain. No matter how many we have, each horse is different and special in it's own way, just like our human family members. It's so hard to let them go.

If you have pictures of your mare, when you are up to it I'd love to see one.

I believe there are horses in heaven. Shortly before my mom died I was visiting by her bedside when she started crying. I asked her what was wrong, assuming she was in pain. She was crying because she was afraid she would never see a horse again and didn't want that fate. A kindly minister was in the nursing home and when he came by he found some verses in the Bible that mentioned horses in heaven. He also said many cultures believe our horses and dogs will meet us in heaven. I think that is right. I can't imagine being happy without them. I envision a place of green grass and flowers with all my beloved horses grazing and my dogs jumping at butterflies and following their noses in the grass and flowers.

Take care of yourself now and take time to mourn and recover. If I lived closer I'd come out with the back-hoe and help you bury her. Surely someone will help you. I don't know about the MSSA. Regardless of what she had however, I think if you are a certain distance away you'll be fine. My husband says it depends on how deep your water table is and your type of soil. The further the better, of course. Here our well is about 600' deep and our soil is heavy clay. Just a few hundred feet away is fine for us. Also, if you put lyme on the body it will help.
Member:
scooter

Posted on Saturday, Jan 1, 2011 - 7:03 am:

My deepest condolences Victoria, what a very sad update. Your post reveals how much you loved her, and she you.

Remember your good times with her. you will see her in heaven.

Take care
Member:
rtrotter

Posted on Saturday, Jan 1, 2011 - 8:54 am:

Victoria,

I am so sad for you, my condolences. I have experienced what you were and are going through as have all of us here on this forum.

You will again see her on the other side of the bridge and that reunion will be fantastic.

Take care and once again my condolences.

Rachelle
Member:
frances

Posted on Saturday, Jan 1, 2011 - 9:05 am:

I'm so very sorry for your terrible loss Victoria. She sounds like a wonderful horse, and it must be heartbreaking for you to see her lying there.

At least her suffering has come to an end.
Member:
lilo

Posted on Saturday, Jan 1, 2011 - 10:04 am:

Victoria, I am so very sorry to hear about your loss. What a great tribute to Pickitup you wrote, she was a very special horse.
My condolences,
Lilo
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Saturday, Jan 1, 2011 - 10:16 am:

My condolences, Victoria.

I understand what you are going through; a fine young Arab gelding I had broke his leg on the 4th of July years ago. I couldn't find anyone to put him down, and my husband finally just walked out of work to come home and do the deed. Then it was 2 days before we found some one with a backhoe. Seeing a blue tarp in the pasture, knowing what was under it...very hard.

Hugs & Prayers from me to you. Be at peace knowing you made a difference in her life.
Member:
cheryl

Posted on Saturday, Jan 1, 2011 - 11:04 am:

This is one time we can say we know how you feel and you can know without a doubt that we do. This is a loss that will never go away but it will become less overwhelming. One day you will be able to picture her in your mind flashing across the finish line and you will be able to smile instead of fighting back tears. You fought with everything you had to help your horse - and in the end you stepped up to end her pain and take it all on yourself. Never fear - she will be waiting for you just inside Heaven's Gate.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Jan 1, 2011 - 12:28 pm:

Welcome Victroria, I am so sorry to meet you over such a sad event. My condolences.

I am presuming MSSA is supposed to be Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus (MRSA)? I agree much depends on your local environmental conditions but if you have eight feed of dry soil, burying should be fine. For particulars in your area consult your veterinarian or extension service for advice.
DrO
Member:
paardex

Posted on Saturday, Jan 1, 2011 - 12:57 pm:

Horrible outcome, I lost a favorite old broodmare in a sort of similar situation and it still haunts me. Almost all of us have been in similar situations and still I cannot do anything else but tell you how sorry I am for you and the poor mare, who however is now without pain and a better 2011. Hope your other horse isn't to upset.
Jos
Member:
kpaint

Posted on Saturday, Jan 1, 2011 - 5:12 pm:

So sorry to read of your loss Victoria.
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Saturday, Jan 1, 2011 - 7:27 pm:

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and memories with us. She sounds like a truly grand horse.

You've been through so much with her and I know how much you will miss her.

I am deeply sorry to hear of your loss.
Member:
jowidner

Posted on Sunday, Jan 2, 2011 - 12:44 am:

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss Victoria. Your girl is running fee now.
Member:
canter

Posted on Sunday, Jan 2, 2011 - 12:04 pm:

My condolences, Victoria. I hope you find some comfort knowing that you gave your beautiful mare such wonderful, loving care.

Peace to you~
Fran
Member:
sross

Posted on Sunday, Jan 2, 2011 - 8:48 pm:

My condolences on the loss of your friend.
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