No answers from the university..... any help?

Evenheaven · Postby **Evenheaven** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 7:41 pm

Hopefully someone out here can help.... my colt (19 days old) has had a rough start. He had a TERRIBLE plasma infusion at day 2 because his IgG level was low and we had lameness in his right rear ankle and swelling in front left leg. After plasma, he was on Amicsasin (spelling, sorry!) for 7 days along with 1 cc of banamine. The rear lameness resolved but no relief for the front left swelling from the fetlock up to the knee. After 48 hours of no drugs, I took him to University of Wisconsin Madison for some help and hope. That morning (which was 5 days ago) he went on the trailer with mom with a swollen front left leg and terribly lame on his front right coffin joint area. They radiographed every joint: nothing. They tapped every joint: nothing bad ( we were assuming joint ill or something of that nature but no bad "bug" results). They did an ultra sound of every joint: nothing. They did a CT scan: nothing abnormal on the results. All this time, we still have no change in the swelling in the front leg or relief from the lameness in the coffin joint area. They did more radiographs: nothing. Another ultrasound: nothing. They had him on gent. and pennicilin 4 times a day via IV. I picked him up today because they really didn't know what else to do and sent me home with him on oral Chloramphenicol every 6 hours.
Needless to say, we are left clueless.... any suggestions?
Thanks!

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:26 am

I know he is awfully little, but did you try sweating the leg?

Mood Swings · Postby **Mood Swings** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 6:56 pm

I agree with Madelyn. My friend had a foal this year with a mysterious swelling in his fetlock and pastern. The vet took radiographs, which revealed nothing and started the little guy on antibiotics for 3 wks. The swelling only started to noticeably improve after "sweating".
Good luck with your foal

freshman · Postby **freshman** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:05 pm

Sorry to hear about your foal. I wish I had some ideas for you, but it sounds like a real mystery.

Do be very careful handling the chloramphenicol; it's known to cause aplastic anemia in humans. Wear gloves and even a mask when handling the drug, especially if it is in a liquid suspension--it can explode (really!) and is most dangerous in aerosolized form. The residue will contaminate the foal and the mare he is nursing, even the stall, etc, so wear gloves whenever handling them or mucking. Sounds extreme, but since their is no treatment for the form of leukemia that chloramphenicol causes, it is better safe than sorry.

Hope you see improvement soon! All the best...

habitat · Postby **habitat** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:16 pm

I like a product call thermaflex. I've even put the stuff on my own sore knees a time or two, just to know what I was putting on my horse's leg.

There is also a natural product called capsasin that is used to bring warmth to the area. This is actually sold as a muscle type rub next to ben-gay etc. I tried it and can tell you it lasts for days. Use it sparingly on an inflamed area. In direct sunlight the stuff gets hotter even when shielded by clothes, wraps etc. Definitely put this on yourself before trying on your horse. There really is no way to get it off once you put it on.

There is also a machine out there called game ready equine, but I have no experience with it other than I like the concept. It's expensive, but if I ever had need one I would see if I could rent one somewhere.

TrueColours · Postby **TrueColours** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 7:31 am

How is he doing Amber?

I am hoping that no news is good news ...

Salsawattiez · Postby **Salsawattiez** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 1:08 am

I'm unsure wether to mention or not...........

We do a product called Freedom. It contains Vit C, Methylsulphonylmethane(MSM), Chrondroitin & Glucosamine along with Aloe Vera.
Because of the A.V you get better absorption of the other ingredients. My father will not be with out it for he's arthritis.
A couple brought a Polo pony as a 14yr old. The 1st tournament she attended it was obvious the horse was lame. The vet concluded the horse had arthritis and was nearer 20yrs. She was prescribed drugs but they didn't help. The horse was even lame turned out. She was VERY sceptical when Freedom was recommended, but what the hell nothing to lose. 120ml doses & within 1wk she noticed a difference. After 2wks she was completely sound. Took her to a polo game and she walked off the lorry like a spring chicken.
I really don't know if this would help or not but is it worth a try.......... only you know that.

Good luck in what ever you try. Hopefully something will cllick. Hardest thing is not knowing what the problem is. Keep us posted, hope the out come is good