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  Discussion on Hip abcess
Author Message
Member:
Contilli

Posted on Sunday, Mar 20, 2005 - 2:44 pm:

I know this is an old thread but I have some questions.

My mare is due to foal in two weeks and my vet came two weeks ago to give the ‘foal’ shots. They included, Potomac Horse Fever, Rabies, Botulism, West Nile, Flu, Tetanus. I think that is it. Geez, overkill in my opinion. I asked him while he was injecting her that we wait a week and split the shots up. He said it won’t be a problem and continued to give the shots through the same needle. He repositioned the needle each time but did not go to a new injection site.

Of course, she became colicky, fever of 105 and stopped eating. I quickly gave her Banamine paste but I still could not get the fever to break. My vet came out and gave Banamine IV and within 1 ½ hours her fever broke. But for three days she maintained a 102 fever and ate lightly.

At this point she is working on an abscess. The area affected is 11 inches in diameter. The area is not hot but is EZTREMELY painful. When I run my fingers/hands over it I feel popping as if air is under the skin. She is eating but refuses to lay down to rest as she usually does. I have a T monitor and watch her almost 24/7 and since the shots she has laid down only once. Before that she was a heavy sleeper, about 8 times a night.

My questions are: Keeping in mind she is due on 4/5

At what point do I lance this area?
What drugs can I give her for this?
If is a sterol abscess do I leave it alone?
Will walking or rubbing the area help dissipate it?
Will a heating pad increase circulation and potentially minimize the problem?
Any ideas?

Thank you for your expertise.
Denise
www.BryantFarm.com
Member:
Eoeo

Posted on Sunday, Mar 20, 2005 - 3:28 pm:

What does your vet say about it not being a "problem" now? Did he knock any off your bill for the banamine IV etc.? What a sad deal for the mare. EO
Member:
Canyon28

Posted on Sunday, Mar 20, 2005 - 6:03 pm:

I think your vet made a big mistake in giving your mare her shots like this, also rabies shots arent supposed to be given to pg mares. I hope she hasnt gotten a clositridal (spelling?) infection from this. I give my own shots to over 20 horses, several times a year, and have never had any kind of reaction what so ever. I also dont know if botulism shots are indicated for pg mares. I would look for a new vet in my opinion, what he did was very unprofessional. I hope your mare recovers and this doesnt cause harm to the foal. shots in the hip area can abcess easily, I never give horses shots in the hip.
chris www.canyonrimranch.net
Member:
Contilli

Posted on Sunday, Mar 20, 2005 - 8:14 pm:

Of course the timing couldn’t be worse, dripping milk and ready to give birth she needed to be lanced. The affected are was about 6 inches in diameter. This actually is the internal hole. The amount of puss which came roaring out was overwhelming! The incision was only 3 inches but you can stick your hand inside. She seems more comfortable now. How awful to have something abscessing like that……. I guess it is not that uncommon, although I have never experienced an abscess myself.

Thank you for your input.

Denise
www.BryantFarm.com
Member:
Contilli

Posted on Monday, Mar 21, 2005 - 6:36 am:

An abscess the size of Texas and now a red-bag delivery to boot. As I said, she was ready to foal. Walked and stomped for 5 1/2 hours before she finally laid down. Nothing was coming and just then the red-bag showed its ugly red face! I ripped into it and pulled my big boy to safety! He is two weeks early and having some difficulties. He hasn't nursed as of yet and I will have to decide whether to hospitalize him or not. He needs his colostrum! My poor mare and now poor foal. And the stress - I need a Zanax......

He is just beautiful. I hope I don't loose him.

Thank you for your support.
Denise
www.BryantFarm.com
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Mar 21, 2005 - 7:09 am:

Taking your questions in order:

1) At what point do I lance this area?
As soon as a clear abscess is identified. This is usually quickest with a ultrasound. Alternatively it will get very soft and loose hair over the top.

2) What drugs can I give her for this?
The air under the skin may indicate a serious infection with Clostidia: I would have her on IV gentamicin and IV potassium penicillin. This requires frequent injection best done through a IV catheter but the alternative of further IM injections does not appeal to me.

3) If is a sterol abscess do I leave it alone?
If an abscess forms, whether sterile or not, it should be drained as soon as possible.

4) Will walking or rubbing the area help dissipate it? Will a heating pad increase circulation and potentially minimize the problem?
Rubbing is not indicated as it may spread the infection. The other ideas are clinical decisions that requires examination. Walking and heat may help but if the pain is already severe may not be tolerated by the horse.

5) Any ideas?
Is she still on bute or flunixin for the pain and inflammation?
DrO
Member:
Contilli

Posted on Monday, Mar 21, 2005 - 7:32 am:

Thank you DrO
As soon as I suspected the abscess I called my vet. So she was not on any medication for pain..... We did give her Banamine for three days when she first had the reaction to the vaccines. That was last week.

Thank you for your answers above. It is really helpful. Now that the abscess is lanced should she be on meds for pain?

Now out to the neonatal unit at my barn.

I want this one to live!
Denise
Member:
Chohler

Posted on Monday, Mar 21, 2005 - 5:29 pm:

Oh Denise you poor thing, did he get cholostrum? I wish you were in my neck of the woods I have plenty of colostrum and a nursing mare right now.

I will be praying for your boy!

Cheryl Hohler
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Mar 21, 2005 - 6:15 pm:

Is her neck still stiff Denise? If so NSAIDs will help.
DrO
Member:
Contilli

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 22, 2005 - 8:43 am:

DrO it is in her hip.

Cheryl-
We checked him at 16 hours and the IGg indicated just under 400. We are checking again this morning. If he still under we will transfuse. Where are you located? Thank you for the offer. My mare is lactating just fine. He is just a premature foal and weak, not to mention very large.

He If he can gain strength he will be okay.

Thank you for your kind words.

Denise
Member:
Chohler

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 22, 2005 - 2:28 pm:

I live in wyoming. Every mare that foals I milk them and freeze the colostrum so I have plenty to go around.
Last year we had a draft cross born that was really weak the vet gave a couple of shots and and that helped big time but for the life of me I can't remember what they where I think one was a vitamin shot. To help support the kid till he got strong enough I grabed his tail and kinda used it as a rudder to walk him around.

Was the vet that did the shots your regular vet?
Are they taking any responsibility?

Take care, best of luck.
Cheryl
Member:
Chohler

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 22, 2005 - 2:30 pm:

oh we also used one of those foal blankets that radiate the lost back onto the foal so the baby didn't work to hard to stay warm.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 22, 2005 - 10:44 pm:

I am sorry Denise. Is her leg still painful and stiff?
DrO
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