When I got home from work last night I took one look at "Geena" (Flying A's Maybe My Dreamgirl) and knew something was terribly wrong. She was exhibiting neurologic symptoms, staggering in the rear, stiff legged behind, holding her upper lip up slightly and rigid. She had a fever (over 103) and was dehydrated. When she tried to eat, she seemed to have trouble moving her jaw. She could move and was aware and alert, but looked compromised neurologically. My first thought was, this looks like Tetanus...
Her Dam did have her vaccinations and Geena was given her 1st 4 way shot 7 days ago.
I called my wonderful vet, loaded Geena up and took off on the hour's drive back to the city. Dr. Nancy KNOWS if I call after hours, it's BAD, so she was ready for a challenge...she told me during our last major case that I don't *need* her for "minor" things...like colic, minor or major injuries that don't require suturing or stuff "you can handle yourself as well as I can". I was actually quite flattered that she had so much confidence in my ability to take care of most things. Years ago, she used underestimate the severity of my after hours calls, now she knows if I call after office hours, it is BAD and she reacts accordingly!
Her initial thought was West Nile, but leaned more towards Tetanus by the end of the exam. We decided to treat for both, as you can't ignore the possibility of WNV this time of year and just hope for the best. Since it's the holiday, we could not get any bloodwork back until WEDNESDAY.
We ran fluids, Hyperimmune Serum (for West Nile), Tetanus Toxoid, DMSO and Ace, all IV. I had already given Geena Banamine, an SMZ tab and started her on Prilosec (all of which Dr. Nancy agreed were a reasonable start based on the symptoms I observed initally).
She is the same this morning, but can get up and down on her own, her temp is low normal (which can be worse rather than better) and she is drinking. She still is having trouble chewing, so it not eating well at all. She's still treating her with IV Tetanus Toxoid, the Hyperimmune Serum and the other drugs, along with fluids.
We're guessing she has less than a 50% chance of survival. Nancy knows I will do anything I can to save a horse that CAN be saved, but that there is a point when we stop fighting and end suffering. We have been through some great successes and some tragic losses during the 11 years she has been caring for our horses. We'll just wait and pray....
Please keep Geena in your thoughts for health and strength. She was supposed to go to Nationals next week....poor, sweet baby
Her Dam did have her vaccinations and Geena was given her 1st 4 way shot 7 days ago.
I called my wonderful vet, loaded Geena up and took off on the hour's drive back to the city. Dr. Nancy KNOWS if I call after hours, it's BAD, so she was ready for a challenge...she told me during our last major case that I don't *need* her for "minor" things...like colic, minor or major injuries that don't require suturing or stuff "you can handle yourself as well as I can". I was actually quite flattered that she had so much confidence in my ability to take care of most things. Years ago, she used underestimate the severity of my after hours calls, now she knows if I call after office hours, it is BAD and she reacts accordingly!
Her initial thought was West Nile, but leaned more towards Tetanus by the end of the exam. We decided to treat for both, as you can't ignore the possibility of WNV this time of year and just hope for the best. Since it's the holiday, we could not get any bloodwork back until WEDNESDAY.
We ran fluids, Hyperimmune Serum (for West Nile), Tetanus Toxoid, DMSO and Ace, all IV. I had already given Geena Banamine, an SMZ tab and started her on Prilosec (all of which Dr. Nancy agreed were a reasonable start based on the symptoms I observed initally).
She is the same this morning, but can get up and down on her own, her temp is low normal (which can be worse rather than better) and she is drinking. She still is having trouble chewing, so it not eating well at all. She's still treating her with IV Tetanus Toxoid, the Hyperimmune Serum and the other drugs, along with fluids.
We're guessing she has less than a 50% chance of survival. Nancy knows I will do anything I can to save a horse that CAN be saved, but that there is a point when we stop fighting and end suffering. We have been through some great successes and some tragic losses during the 11 years she has been caring for our horses. We'll just wait and pray....
Please keep Geena in your thoughts for health and strength. She was supposed to go to Nationals next week....poor, sweet baby


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