That dreaded disease hit us again for the first time in many years. 45 horses have died in the Gauteng area in a very short time. There is no cure for this disease. There is a vaccine available but it is not effective against all strains of this disease. My supreme champion Welsh Section B mare, Lemal Valiant Princess,first showed signs on Friday at lunchtime. The vet prescribed treatment including Lasix,Phynadene and pennicillen. She had a very high fever of 40-4.3 o C. Late yesterday afternoon het temp dropped to 38.3. This morning it plummeted to 36.8oC and a light sweating on the neck and she started to go cold... I put a blanket on her and now we have to wait it out. Throughout her ordeal thus far she didn't break out in a sweat until this morning. The tell tale swelling of the eyes have been present since the onset of the disease although her whole head and neck thankfully diddn't swell up yet. Her breathing is laboured today due to fluid on the lungs. Horses with AHS normally drown because of fluids in the lungs. Until this morning I was hoping she had only a light case of it...now I am scared for her...She has been fully vaccinated against the disease every year of her life by a vet and has it fully recorded on her passport,even so,lots of horses still die..I can only pray that she makes it now...
.JPG)
Whatever you do,do not let a horse with AHS go cold...This morning was the first time Princess showed signs of growing cold since the onset of the disease on Friday...
The tell tale swelling above the eyes.
To top off all of this,last week we had a terrible storm here,causing the electricity to go out for 14 hours and then the following day again for 12 hours while repaires were being done. In the total dark of night the python struck again...This time attacking both my whippet pups where they were sleeping in the outside laundry room. One got away with no damage the other got a chunk bitten out of its side..
Amazingly,After he got over the initial shock of the attack,Duke is none the worse for wear and running around,playing with his brother!
I hope this week will be better.
Calling on all my Blogger friends to send out prayers for Pinkie...
The End
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
Oh I feel so sad for you. I well now what horse sickness is like, and even if they recover you are never sure of the after effects. I thought that it had almost been wiped out but this just proves how wrong I am. Thankfully pythons are not poisonous so it is only the wound and any dirt from teeth that you need to worry about. Take care and I hope that the horse sickness does not spread. Will be thinking of you Diane
ReplyDeleteSo hope that your horse make it through this. What a terrible thing to happen. How scary also for your dogs to be attacked by a python. Keep us posted on your dear horse
ReplyDeleteI am sending healing thoughts to both animals.
ReplyDeleteI do believe I would be Python hunting, tan it's hide and make some new dog collars. There has to be some good in this.
Lots and lots of healing and good thoughts heading to you and yours...how terrifying.
ReplyDeleteYou have had quite a week. I too, hope that your horse pulls out of this and am sending healing energy from Skoog Farm. Your pup got quite a bite. Can't imagine.
ReplyDeleteHuh, a python took a chunk out of your puppy and he's fine? Amazing! I hope the horse gets better. I hate it when animals don't feel good, they can't really communicate with you 100%! Praying for them all!
ReplyDeletereally sorry about your mare! i know you must feel very helpless - especially since you've done all you could to prevent this disease.
ReplyDeleteI hope your beautiful mare pulls through. Keep us posted. I'll be thinking about her -- and you.
ReplyDeleteSo scary. Fingers crossed for a recovery :(
ReplyDeleteOh I am so sorry this is going on. I bet you wish you could bring her in the house and take care of her and keep her warm. It is so sad when you have done everything to try to prevent this. I am hoping and praying for her recovery.
ReplyDelete