Ridecamp: Re: [RC] DMSO and abcess - NO!

> Dot, you and your vets are right on.
>
> DMSO "moves" through the system.  It will "take stuff along with it".
> This is how it works so well to dispurse inflamation and bruising.
> NEVER  use it on an infection or abcess.  It could take the infection
> and spread it to other tissues.

I beg to differ.  DMSO can be a real life-saver in conditions such as
strangles, when abcesses are causing swelling and edema in the throat and
horses are on the verge of choking as a result.  It is also EXTREMELY
useful in pneumonia cases, for relieving pulmonary edema so that the
animal doesn't drown in its own fluids while its immune system gears up to
fight the invading "bugs".  Also, by getting the fluids OUT of the lungs,
antibiotics and other medications have the opportunity to get IN, thanks
to the DMSO.  I've seen countless pneumonia cases in cattle and horses
where DMSO was what finally made the animal turn the corner and survive,
when it seemed that all else was failing.  I also think that it saved the
life of my stallion Abu Ben Surrabu (alias "Junior") when he contracted
strangles at the fairground where he was boarding when he was a weanling
and I was in the process of moving--he was to the point of having his head
hanging down, mouth open, gasping for air and starting to get blue mucous
membranes, due to pressure from an abcess in his throat, and we
contemplated doing a tracheotomy to try to save his life--we opted to give
a big IV blast of DMSO first, and within 20 minutes it had relieved the
swelling to the point that he could breathe with reasonable comfort.
I certainly would not hesitate to use DMSO in the face of abcess or other
infection, provided other appropriate medication is also being given.
Heidi



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