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  Discussion on Interstitial Pneumonia
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 28, 2001 - 7:02 pm:

Dear Dr. O

Could you please tell me the first signs of interstitial pneumonia in horses and what would cause it. Also how would the horse act once it had interstitial pneumonia for a few day's? Would the horse have any kind of salmonella once it had this pneumonia? what should be the first thing one should do, once the horse has been diagnosed with interstitial pneumonia? and what should the treatment be? Thank You for you're help in this matter. Sandy Mendez

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 29, 2001 - 7:32 am:

Hello Sally
Interstitial pneumonia is not a specific disease but a pathological description. It can be caused by several diseases. The term means inflammation in which the inflammatory reaction occurs chiefly in the supportive fibrous connective tissue of the lungs.

The most common cause would be a uncommon disease of foals caused by the organism Pneumocystis carinii. This organism may be opportunistic and infect those with immundeficiency or other lung and health problems. The lack of specific signs and being secondary to other life threatening problems frquently the diagnosis is made at necropsy.

Currently the treatment of choice for this organism is high doses of trimthoprim sulfa (30 mg / kg twice daily). Of course the correction on any underlying problems is paramount to sucess.

I don't understand the Salmonella question as I am unsure what disease you might be addressing and Salmonella can be cultured from healthy horses.
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 23, 2001 - 5:55 pm:

Dr. O.

If a horse cannot oxygenate himself isn't the mucus membranes (gums), generally blue or purplish? and if the gums are a pale pink to white in color with a three second return after you have pressed against the gums, generally anemic? These are a few questions that I need to have answered, my veterinarian book has suggested this but did not elaborate on it. Thank You Dr. O.
Sandy Mendez

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 24, 2001 - 6:14 am:

Hello Sandy,
It is not as quite as cut and dried as you suggest. For more on interpreting this and other vital signs see: Equine Diseases: First Aid: Taking Temperature, Pulse, and Respiration.
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 7, 2001 - 7:54 pm:

Dr. O.

What should be done besides antibiotics, once a horse is diagnosed with pneumonia? I have been told, that once a horse has been diagnosed, that they should be locked up in a draft free stall (environment) and kept warm? Especially at an altitude of 8600 ft and at the end of august. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks, Sandy Mendez

Posted on Thursday, Nov 8, 2001 - 7:18 am:

Rest, fresh air, and a stress free environment are very important for getting over pneumonia.
DrO
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