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[RC] Potomac Horse Fever - Dede JohnsonHi all,Yesterday I wrote in asking if anybody had a horse that had gotten ill following the L.O.V.E. ride in CA. I didn't mean anything that was ride-related, but like a bug or something. My horse started having loose stools Sunday, which progressed to bad diarrhea, lack of interest in food, and depressed demeanor. The diagnosis was colitis, which in itself is one of those things that is hard to pinpoint the cause. Salmonella was suspected. White blood count dropped to a pretty low level. Treatment was supportive and Biosponge was given to absorb the toxins and, thus, stop the diarrhea. When the blood culture came back, the monocyte level was elevated. This led my vet to suspect Potomac Horse Fever. The actual organism that causes it was not seen, but that apparently is common. Hopefully I am relaying all this correctly. She is now on Oxytet (antibiotic used for PHF) and so far is doing well. My purpose in sharing this is simply to alert horse owners in this area to the symptoms, since this is not a common disease in CA. There is a vaccination for it but from what I've read, the efficacy is around 70%. I also read there are 6 strains of it and the vaccine only covers one. I'd be curious to know if folks in areas where PHF is more prevalent choose to vaccinate for it. I know vaccinations are controversial and I'm not trying to stir that pot, just trying to learn more and maybe generate some discussion. Dede Johnson =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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