Jingles needed for my old Man again.

[cutiepiepmu]

Well - my old QH stallion who is 28 this year needs some jingles. When I went to put him out this morning his sheeth was swelled up the size of a basket ball and he was straining to go pea. It was horrible - so hot and painful for him. So - I gave him a couple of grams of bute, cold hosed for 30 minutes, took his temp (102.1) and put him out with the other kids so he would start moving around and hopefully help the swelling go down.

I immediately called the vet and asked him to come out. Well - he was SWAMPED with emergencies and since my guy was hanging in there I took a back seat to a few others.

Well - I had been checking on him every few minutes and decided to go in for a bit - I went in and had a quick sandwich and went to check on my guy again out in the pasture. I found him standing under a tree literally panting - tongue hanging out panting. I ran for the thermometer and took his temp - 106.1. I FREAKED OUT. Screamed to my other half to get as much ice as he could and I got my guy to the barn and started hosing his body down. John brought the 3 big bags of ice out fo the freezer and we used an ace wrap to secure the bags to his neck and one in the middle of his back - all while I am cold hosing him. John got on the phone to the vet and told them what was happening - well, as he was talking, my guy had a seizure. It was so horrible.... He was standing under the eve of my barn on concrete and kept smashing his head into the ground. I was horrified he would crack his skull so I just threw my legs under his head and used his halter to keep his thrashing head on my theighs to avoid hitting the ground. I figure the seizure lasted nearly 3 minutes and by the time it was over his temp was at 106.5. I was crying like a baby - but kept cold hosing him and sent John for more ice. After the seizure he just laid there - so I ran and grabbed a big fluffy blanket and put under his head and just kept hosing him. It took about 15 minutes before he kind of came too and raised up some. He was obviously out of it. I took his temp at that point and it was down to 105.2 - which is better somewhat. About 10 minutes after that he finally got up - of course I am still cold hosing him. By the time john got back with more ice I was a wreck - I was shaking all over and and just couldn't stop. About 45 minutes after the seizure and with us frantically packing his neck, back and legs with ice we had his temp down to 104.3. Not great, but at least out of the danger area. I let my guy finally go out in the yard and be in the shade of our trees. He laid down and rested some and when he got up I too his temp again - still 104.3 - BUT he wanted to drink which made me feel better.

It took the vet till 6pm to finally get here - and this whole mess started at Noon. Because of how fragile my guys condition was I was nervous about loading him into a trailer for fear he would have another seizure in the trailer and every other vet I called couldn't get there till much later than my own vet. (I HATE living out this far sometimes)

Anyways - I had giving IV banimane and a gram of paste bute which I think did help bring the fever down. Vet gave a shot of steriods and we have started him on a diuretic to help with swelling and a full course of Dex as well as some antibiotics. We figure it is a spider bite since the skin on the whole left side is hard and turning kind of black. I am cold hosing the area every 30 minutes all night tonight to help with swelling, and I have to help him go pea by dialiating his sheath so he can drop. I figure it will be a long night.

Plus, I didn't realize how badly my legs were hurt from using them to protect my kids head during the seizure until I came in to take a bath about 9pm. I knew they were hurting and that it hurts to step or twist on my left leg - but, now i am not so sure my knee cap is not cracked The amount of black and blue I figure I will see by morning should be interesting.

Anyways - all jingles are appriciated. This guy is my soul mate - He is 28 this year and I was there the day he was born - he has been with me forever. Seeing him suffer just breaks my heart.

Here is a picture of him with Malibu in the background.


Sara

[toeps]

Oh Sara! I am so sorry you old guy is having such a rough go! And you! Hang in there and big hugs and prayer to you

[patrolhorse]

What a horrible day!
I am so sorry, your boy has had such a rough year already. I will keep you both in my prayers I understand what it's like when you go through these issues with one you've had forever- they definately hold a piece of your heart. Please know you are in our thoughts.

[mtangel]

Jingling for your old guy like mad! I hope you are both feeling better today and that he will be on the mend quickly. Hugs and scritches!

[sassiedogtk]

Lots of jingles and prayers for your guy. Hope you are feeling better also.
Tina

[cutiepiepmu]

Thanks everyone - He is still terribly swollen this morning, but his temp has held steady at 102ish and he is eating well. I have been alternating between cooling clay pack and a thick lanolin cream on his sheath to help keep it from cracking and bleeding. It is still hard as a rock and he is so uncomfortable he doesn't want to talk much. I ground drove him with a halter down to the mail box and back(about a mile) just to get him moving and not thinking about his owie. We went slow, but I think he liked going - and he needs to move to get the swelling down.

I am still assisting him to go pea - so have to hang kind of close and keep and eye on him. when he starts to try - I assist so he can go.

Thanks for all the well wishes - Poor guy - what an awful place to get hurt.

Sara

[piopico]

YOu're such a good mama Sara.....good luck to you both. I would hate to be in your situation- but you're so knowledgeable, you're the best thing he has around him.

[swissgrl]

sending tons of jingles for your guy. Hope he feels better soon.

[MustangAppy]

Oh Sara! I am so sorry your boy is going through this. Jingles from Idaho.

[cutiepiepmu]

Thanks everyone - he is better somewhat this evening. He can drop on his own now to pea, although it takes a long time for him to be able to go. But, the fact that he can on his own is a big improvement. I turned the kids out early this morning - about 5am - and they have been out all day - leaving them out over night as well so that LB(my old guy) can keep moving around to help the swelling go down. His sheeth is still hard as a rock, but not nearly as hot to the touch - although on the left side, it looks like a large blister area is opening up. I have been watching him carefully and keeping his sheeth slathered in thick lanolin to hopefully avoid having it crack terribly because of the extreme swelling. He has a couple nasty boo boo's on his face from the seizure so we are also treating those - luckily none that required stitches.

AND - this afternoon I decided I better get my legs checked since my left knee was about the same size as my guys sheeth and walking was very painful. Had it xrayed and turns out it is only badly bruised, so that was a relief - still painful, but with nothing actually broken I figure it will be fine in a few days with some ice and advil.

So - this evenings report is SOOOOOOO much better than last. LB is sore and swollen, I am sore and swollen, and we are both VERY tired - but I think he is gonna live - although, I think he will have a sore crotch for a while. Tomorrow - I am spraying with the GOOD stuff. Every bug out there is gonna die!!!!! Sweet revenge!!!

Thanks again everyone!
Sara

[shelberttk2]

Updates?! Poor guy, OUCHIE!!!! I hope he is feeling better today!! Sara! You and I must have a matching pair of shiners! My whole upper thigh is black and blue! It has spread down into my knee! I was working with one of Cindy's rescue horses (cleaning sheath-he was sedated) and got cow kicked! Good thing I have chubby thighs, and the fat cushioned the blow!

[beckybee]

Just saw this thread - poor baby! That sounded so scary. I don't think I would have been able to keep it together nearly as well as you. I'm glad to hear he's doing better (and you too!). If it was a spider bite, can you give horses benedryl? (and does it help?)

[cutiepiepmu]

Well - the steriods, diuretics and antibiotics are probably alot more effective than the benedryl at this point. I am also doing external poultices to help draw out anything if it is there.

I am really sore in my legs today - but had a saddle fitting 2nd appointment for my big guy, so had to ride. At least now i know for sure what saddle I want and can get everything ordered - so that is good - BUT, sitting the trot rather than posting with this guy i sort of feel body slammed lol. He isn't smooth to say the least!

so - me and the old man are nursing injuries and hanging out. He is still really swollen, but at least the temp has stayed down and he can pea again.

Thanks for all the jingles!!!!



Sara

[cutiepiepmu]

Ohhh and sorry to hear about the kick Shel. I have had that happen and I also have meaty theighs! The meat can make ALL the difference - so see - there is a perk to having a little extra. Doesn't mean it hurts any less though. Ice the area and if you feel brave, put some DMSO gel on it - just don't rub it in and make sure to wipe the excess off after 60 seconds or it can burn the skin

Take care,
Sara

[beckybee]

Sept 7, 2008 15:01:40 GMT -5 cutiepiepmu said:

Well - the steriods, diuretics and antibiotics are probably alot more effective than the benedryl at this point. I am also doing external poultices to help draw out anything if it is there.

Yeah, well most of us mortals can't do IV meds ! Would it help until the vet gets out if you suspect a bite?

[cutiepiepmu]

It could - but the big issue is that if you give benedryl and other meds are needed, they may not be able to be given. I always ALWAYS suggest that you keep at least one single dose of Epinephrine in your fridge. If your horse has a sudden reaction(hives, not breathing, ect.) that can save his life. "EVERYONE should have a tube of paste banimane and a tube of paste bute in their first aid kit at ALL times. And - you don't have to have a medical degree, but you need to know when to use what for basic stuff.

More often than not, a bite is not fatal - there of course are exceptions. If you live in an area that has black widows or a large amount of hobo or brown ricluse spiders - you should take note to know what the bites look like and what emergency course is needed.

Ice is always a big thing. Icing the area can really help. Talk to your vet before giving benedryl though - if the vet ok's it - have at it BUT - some steriods are less effective after giving benedryl - and often times the steriods are what si needed to stop the reaction!

I also think that ALL horse owners need to have at least 2 bags of crushed ice int eh freezer at all times - not just gel packs. the crushed or cubed ice is actually colder and as it melts the cold water helps as well This is great for injuries or bites like this

Ok - that is the short medical needs list lol....

Tonight my guy is happier - although his sheeth is still HUGE. I took some pictures but they didn't come out good - so when I go out in a few i amgoing to take a few more so you all can see.

Sara

[cutiepiepmu]

ohhh and all meds outside of the inital injections are actually oral meds

[cutiepiepmu]

Well - here is tonights update. His fever is still at 102.4, but as of late tonight the swelling is now spredding to his stomach and his sheath is again hot to the touch. He finished the last of the tube of Trichlor(diuretic) this evening - but obviously we need to do something else since the swelling is getting worse rather than better. His sheath is also starting ot blister along the bottom - so I am trying to keep it caked in moisturizers to avoid it cracking even worse. I spent the last hour with a large frozen gel pack(the size for people that is full back length) strapped to his tummy with additional gel packs tapped into a baby diaper and then put up on his sheath - held in place with ace raps tied up around his back. Looked goofy, but I wanted to ice the area and get it colder than just cold hosing.

I had expected it would take a little time for all the swelling to really go down - but with the area hot again tonight and his fever not dropping I think that I need to have the vet out again and see if there is something else we can do more proactively.

He is eating well tonight, but his breath smells very strong so I have a feeling his tummy is upset. I gave him a dose of antacids to hopefully settle it a bit.

So - I will go back out in an hour or so and check on him.

Sara

[michellep]

Hang in there, I know how it is to worry so much when you've had them for so long. When I read that your boy had a seizure it sent chills down my spine. My guy had a stroke and its an image that I cant get out of my head. Just the helpless feeling is awful. Im sending you lots of good thoughts and prayers that he gets feeling much better and the fever goes down.

[shelberttk2]

Jingling like mad down in Oregon! Hope he feels better soon Sara! I totally agree with you, everybody needs to not only have, but know how to use Banamine, Bute and epinepherine. I also like to have a couple of tubes of probios and electrolyte paste. Give your boy a kiss, he is gorgeous!

[beckybee]

Sept 7, 2008 23:08:02 GMT -5 cutiepiepmu said:

II always ALWAYS suggest that you keep at least one single dose of Epinephrine in your fridge. If your horse has a sudden reaction(hives, not breathing, ect.) that can save his life. EVERYONE should have a tube of paste banimane and a tube of paste bute in their first aid kit at ALL times. And - you don't have to have a medical degree, but you need to know when to use what for basic stuff.

I also think that ALL horse owners need to have at least 2 bags of crushed ice int eh freezer at all times - not just gel packs. the crushed or cubed ice is actually colder and as it melts the cold water helps as well This is great for injuries or bites like this

Ok - that is the short medical needs list lol....

Thanks, Sara, that info is really useful - your experience and knowledge is a boon. Our vets here aren't very supportive on helping owners with this type of info, let alone selling/prescribing even bute to have on hand.

[cutiepiepmu]

you guys are all so sweet. This guy is my soul mate. I SWEAR if he was human - we would have ended up married lol. he is still really swollen this morning - I am going by the vet office to pick up some supplies shortly. Hopefully i get him around the bend soon - I know he is miserable.

With old school vets or general purpose farm vets it can sometimes be hard to get them to be specific - but the key is to educate yourself enough that you can lay out a good reason to them to have that stuff with you. Most vets don't have an issue leaving a tube of banimane, bute, and sometimes even other stuff with you if youare knowledgable and understand how and why to use it. The reality is - most horse owners have enough common sence to be able to read a prescription lable and know that 2 grams of bute is PLENTY for most horses!

Personally I used to always have pretty close to a whole pharmacy cabinet on hand when I had a good working relationship with my previous vet(before I moved) I tried to keep injectables of bute, banimane, certain steriods, injectable benedryl, equipment to tube a horse along with tummy buffers, iv ace, and a variety of other things. I can't begin to tell you how often it saved my horses! In oregon at the ranch we keep an entire office set up and stocked like a vet hospital. We have to - no vet can get there in under 2 hours and with that many animals, if you have an emergency you need to be able to handle it - plus we do alot of our own invetro for the cows and horses on site so we have the equipment for that as well.

IMO education is priceless - so the more you know about emergency situations, the better off you will be and so will your horse. you don't have to spend a lifetime reading and studying, but all animal and horse owners need to know what signs indicate and emergency and what is the first response needed for that situation

Sara

[beckybee]

Your boy is lucky he has you! I know you'll do everything you can to make him better.

Oh, on the swelling thing - I just got vacs for my boys and they did Web's second shot in his pectoral muscle. The vet noted that it will probably swell because fluids are more likely to pool on the ventral side of the horse due to gravity. Hopefully your boy is getting past the initial reaction time and it's mostly edema now. Continued jingles!

[wildwoman]

OMG Sara, I teared up just reading the first post-what this poor guy has been through the past couple days-thank God he has you.
Hoping the two of you hang in there and get some rest and relief.
Lisa

[cutiepiepmu]

Thank you! his fever went up again tonight so took him to the vet hospital. Blood work shows massive infection and we are concerned about him becoming septic. He has been started on IV antibiotics here at home as well as oral meds and more steroids, diuretics and bute. He is still eating well and drinking fine which is good. The vet will be here again in the morning to check up on him. Whatever critter got him - it was a bad one!!

Sara

[piopico]

California jingles coming your way- and fingers and toes crossed.

[cutiepiepmu]

Well - just gave the latest round of iv antibiotics and steriods. The swelling is horrible tonight - all the way down his belly to his front legs. I would think it was just the fluids moving, but the sheath is still hard and hot. Hopefully by the morning the drugs will be starting to do their thing. Still doing lots of ice packing and also doing some clay pack on his poor sheath. then, I rinse and slather it in Merino Lanolin cream(great stuff!! - it is the best body cream ever!) trying to keep his parts from cracking.

He is still eating and drinking fine and although he walks with a bit of a waddle, he still wants to move around. I take those all as good things.

I am off ot get a little sleep before the next round.

Sara

[pnp4kidz]

Pigeon fever? that goes sheath area... you can do titres, which if he is this sick should be high... but they can be decieving if they come back moderate range...

[cutiepiepmu]

Well - I am officially worried. Vet came out to re-draw blood and we are worried my kid may be getting septic. When we palpitated the sheat, the entire bottom broke up and puss poured out... and we are concerned now that the swelling in his abdomen that goes all teh way to hsi front legs may be a pocket of puss. We were already doing antibiotics, but we have changed protocal at this point. He is now getting 24/7 drip of antibiotics and steriods as well as oral antibiotics, diuretics and steriods along with bute. In his IV we are giving Naxel and Vetalog and orally we are giving SMZ's, Trichlor, and Dexamethasone. He is getting 2 grams of bute every 8-12 hours to keep the inflamation and pain down as well.

So - I am sitting in the barn now with my kid non-stop. He is still eating, drinking and doesn't seem as "down" as I woujld expect based on blood work - so that is good. We are re-drawing blood again this afternoon.

What a freak thing this is.... I wish there was a way to figure out for sure what kind of nasty crawly bit him.

Sara

[cutiepiepmu]

I dont' think this is pigeon feverl - I have delt with that before - although it always went into the chest/breast area in the hroses I saw it in. Based on the way this looks and the way the skin looks - we are almost positive it is a bite/sting.

the skin looks like it is turning black and rotting - if that makes sence.... awful stuff.

Sara