Micawber
Active Member
Long time no post!
One of our horses was due her flu jab, just prior to that she developed a hoof abscess in one of her hindlegs. Horse stabled. Treated abscess in the usual way [farrier out, poultice, Epsom Salt soaks etc]. Some weeping in the sole but nothing massive. Vet came out to administer ProteQ flu jab, had a look at hoof, did a bit of scraping - advised to carry on the routine. A day or so later the usual gunk starts oozing in quantity - carried on poulticing, soaking, Danillon etc.
Next day the same leg from the hock up is up like a barrage balloon so started hosing the leg, same day inflammation spreads to one side of the udder area - call vet who attends PDQ. Result electrolytes in water, antibiotics administered and a supply of DIY antibiotic injections.
Horse goes off food.
Still pooping and peeing.
Hand walked to paddock, not interested in grass. Lame as a lame thing in that leg.
Temperature slightly elevated.
Inflammation spread to entire underside on belly on one side [cellulitis is mooted].
Horse refuses any food.
Vet back. IV antibiotics as well as continuing daily antibiotic jabs.
Temperature up and down but not extreme.
IV next day is difficult to administer as blood pressure is low. Bloods taken. X rays of hoof leg etc show no sign of abscess now nor of any tracking up leg.
Horse still refusing food, taking water.
Overnight horse becomes very wobbly and can only stand by leaning on walls etc. Bloods come back as liver and other organs ok but signs of massive inflammation occurring [ we could see that].
Horse starts to pant, pulse high, near collapse. We discuss options - which are limited other than continue big amounts of antibiotics.
Horse very unwell, can barely move, has difficulty staying up. Pretty out of it.
Conflab and we decide that as no improvements and rapid decline to end the suffering quickly.
All this in the space of one week after ProteQ flu jab. The sad part is that we still don't know the root cause of the rapid decline. Animal was 11. I suppose I should have had a PM done ...too late now.
One of our horses was due her flu jab, just prior to that she developed a hoof abscess in one of her hindlegs. Horse stabled. Treated abscess in the usual way [farrier out, poultice, Epsom Salt soaks etc]. Some weeping in the sole but nothing massive. Vet came out to administer ProteQ flu jab, had a look at hoof, did a bit of scraping - advised to carry on the routine. A day or so later the usual gunk starts oozing in quantity - carried on poulticing, soaking, Danillon etc.
Next day the same leg from the hock up is up like a barrage balloon so started hosing the leg, same day inflammation spreads to one side of the udder area - call vet who attends PDQ. Result electrolytes in water, antibiotics administered and a supply of DIY antibiotic injections.
Horse goes off food.
Still pooping and peeing.
Hand walked to paddock, not interested in grass. Lame as a lame thing in that leg.
Temperature slightly elevated.
Inflammation spread to entire underside on belly on one side [cellulitis is mooted].
Horse refuses any food.
Vet back. IV antibiotics as well as continuing daily antibiotic jabs.
Temperature up and down but not extreme.
IV next day is difficult to administer as blood pressure is low. Bloods taken. X rays of hoof leg etc show no sign of abscess now nor of any tracking up leg.
Horse still refusing food, taking water.
Overnight horse becomes very wobbly and can only stand by leaning on walls etc. Bloods come back as liver and other organs ok but signs of massive inflammation occurring [ we could see that].
Horse starts to pant, pulse high, near collapse. We discuss options - which are limited other than continue big amounts of antibiotics.
Horse very unwell, can barely move, has difficulty staying up. Pretty out of it.
Conflab and we decide that as no improvements and rapid decline to end the suffering quickly.
All this in the space of one week after ProteQ flu jab. The sad part is that we still don't know the root cause of the rapid decline. Animal was 11. I suppose I should have had a PM done ...too late now.
