ridecamp@endurance.net: puzzling health problem

puzzling health problem

karen Clanin (kclanin@fix.net)
Thu, 12 Jun 1997 15:14:07 -0700 (PDT)

In mid April we attended the Shine & Shine IV ride in San Jose area,
we had a mild warm rain Friday night, horses had rain coats on, did not get
wet under blankets. My 4 year old gelding coughed a few times at the
beginning of the ride, I pulled him at the vet check (for 25 miler). He'd
never done this before. Upon returning home the following is his story.

Started on Monday with a clear nasal discharge and an occasional
cough, temp normal, appetite normal, general attitide normal. Vet felt it
might be a slight allergy, so long as no temp and otherwise normal he
advised giving him a week or so to see.
Ten days later, no change. We put him on SMZ 2x a day for 10 days.
In the last couple of days of this 10 day medication we began to see
(white/greenish/yellowish) colored nasal discharge on occasion. Otherwise,
no change.
Changed med to two different antiobiotics that work well in
conjunction together, one was penicillin. After three doses (2x a day) all
4 legs were stocked up. No change in routine to give a cause so we assumed
it was an allergic reaction to one of the new meds, pulled the pen and after
2 days legs were normal (btw, leg fill did not go down when turned out or
lounged). Continued the other med for a full 7 days. No change.
Vet then scoped his throat, pharengitis but whether due to coughing
or coughing due to pharengitis can not be determined, however this is NOT
the source of other symptoms. Cough can ge induced by palpation of
throatlatch area. Vet also felt sure it was a guteral pouch infection but
opened pouches and found them clean. Lungs are clear. Vet is totally
stumped for cause/diagnosis.
Decided to put him on 10 days of 2 cc orally 1x a day of steroid
(dexamethazone) for two reasons, one is to see if it is allergy related and
other is to lower his immune system so if it is a lurking infection it will
get 'hot' and we will at least find it.
We are now at the end of this 10 days of steroid with no change --
for better or worse. Still no temp, still normal in all other respects.
Vet is still totally stumped. However, since our daughters horse
that has not been in contact with him (lives the other end of town from us)
since the ride, and actually was never in direct contact with him at the
ride, as of Monday has started with like symptoms, so vet now calles this
the "Hooter Disease". BTW, our other two horses have not shown any similar
symptoms (8 year mare and 27 year gelding).
We are contemplating further diagnostic measures which include
scoping again, cultures of the guteral pouchs, xraying the head to see if
there are any fluid pockets.

Questions:
1) has any other horse(s) that attended this ride come down with
anything similar?
2) do any of the veterinarians on the list have any suggestions?

Thanks for your help.

Karen Clanin
Atascadero, CA

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