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  Discussion on Poll Evil in 25 year old gelding
Author Message
Member:
judyh

Posted on Thursday, Feb 9, 2012 - 10:56 am:

A friend of mine has a retired 25 year old gelding with Poll Evil. He has been treated by three different vets - the last having some success. It has been determined that it is non-brucella. It is pretty well under control, but she knows the next step would be surgery and is wondering what would happen is she decided against the surgery. Would the horse be in constant pain? Would the infection just recur and eventually result in the horse having to be euthanized? Is treating it topically from now on a viable solution? Are there dangers in the surgery?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Feb 12, 2012 - 10:42 am:

Hello Judy,
It is nearly impossible to answer these hypothetical questions without examination with the exception of the general fact that uncontrolled infection is usually painful. As to the particulars of your friends hypothetical disease it is probably going to have to wait to see what actually develops and then judgments can be made by the nature of the disease presented.
DrO
Member:
babychop

Posted on Sunday, Feb 12, 2012 - 1:10 pm:

Got this from Wickipedia if it helps -

Poll evil is a traditional term for a painful condition in a horse or other equid, that starts as an inflamed bursa at the anterior end of the neck between vertebrae and the nuchal ligament, and swells until it presents as an acute swelling at the poll, on the top of the back of the animal's head. The swelling can increase until it ruptures and drains.[1] It can be caused by infection from Actinomyces bovis or Brucella abortus organisms, but may also occur due to parasite infestation, skin trauma, or badly-fitting horse tack.[2] Because of modern efforts to reduce the incidence of brucellosis in livestock, horses are less exposed to the Brucella abortus organism, and hence most modern cases of poll evil arise from trauma linked to a horse striking its head against poorly designed or low clearance structures, or to improper use of equipment, particularly leaving a halter on the horse around the clock.[1]

The term has been in use since at least the 1750s.[3] Before modern antibiotics were developed, the condition was very difficult to treat.[1] In the 18th century, it was treated with remedies such as vinegar, wine, elder flower and even turpentine.[3] Today, cases caught early can be cleaned with peroxide, ice packs and diluted dimethyl sulfoxide solution, with antibiotics used to prevent or slow infection. If the infection has set in and there is a discharge, antibiotic treatment along with hot packs and surgery under local anesthesia to remove infected and dead tissue is usually required.[1]

Fistulous withers is a similar condition but on the animal's withers.[4]


Huh! Just found another reason I don't like leaving halters on horses!
Member:
judyh

Posted on Saturday, Jul 7, 2012 - 10:57 am:

Enough time has gone by that I think I can safely post the finale to this and my friend will not see it. I knew that when my friend asked me to ask about the surgery, that in the end, she would do what the vet said was necessary. I should not have let her talk me into posting the what if question. The horse did recover from the poll evil and did not need surgery. Unfortunately, he has moved on to other difficulties, and my friend is dealing with that. I apologize for using the Board in this way.
Member:
rdewitt

Posted on Saturday, Jul 7, 2012 - 11:57 am:

actually i am very glad you posted! this was new information for me, and good information to have
i do hope your friends gelding improves in whatever ails him.
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