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Potomac Horse z fever followed by blood clot

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251 views 9 replies 6 participants last post by  Horse & Dog Mom  
#1 ·
My daughter’s first pony, that we sold but have kept up with, was recently diagnosed and survived Potomac Horse Fever. I don’t know any of the details, but she was at the Minnesota (USA) Equine Vet Hospital or something like that (maybe Wisconsin). Anyway, I only have secondhand information about it, but apparently Potomac Horse Fever isn’t usually survived but neither is it endemic to that part of the world (Wisconsin/Minnesota). She’s been released from the hospital, but they have now found a blood clot in her hind leg complete with some necrosis of the tissue. They’re going to do some kind of therapy (red light, magnawave, I’m not sure, again secondhand information). They can’t give her anticoagulants because apparently she’s already having nosebleeds. She’s only 14 year old too.

My daughter is devastated even though it’s been a few years since she was our pony. This is the Curly 13.2 HH pony I discuss in my Riding the Wave Journal. She is a very special good girl. I was wondering if anyone had any good news kind of information I could give to her. She’s 15 going on 27 if you know what I mean, but very much empathetic to her pets. I know I haven’t given a whole lot of information to go on, but it’s really all I have. We’re obviously hoping she’ll pull through, but it doesn’t sound very promising.

Anyway, if there’s no good news to share, and even if there is, please send up some good thoughts or prayers for Faithfull Velvet the American Bashkir Curly pony, her new family, and her old family.

Here are some shots from their parting. Faith was the good girl she always was, but my daughter was sobbing.

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#3 ·
When I lived in Melbourne, FL, my neighbor's horse had PHF and survived it.

This is from AI:

AI Overview

The mortality rate for Potomac horse fever (PHF) is generally between 5% and 30%, though it can reach up to 30% in some areas or outbreaks. A major factor influencing survival rates is early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics, and complications from laminitis (founder) are a primary cause of death.
 
#4 ·
The prevalence of Potomac Horse Fever is spreading. From MadBarn, "PHF was first officially recognized in Maryland in 1979 as an illness that affected horses living near the Potomac River in the eastern United States. The disease has since been discovered in most American states, Canada, South America (Brazil and Uruguay), Europe (France and The Netherlands), and India."

MadBarn estimates a higher mortality rate of 17-36%.

My mare had PHF earlier this year. I am pretty sure I caught the first fever, and called the vet out. My vet immediately assumed it was PHF and began treatment. Temperature checks three times a day, banamine twice a day, IV antibiotics daily for five days straight followed by doxycycline for ten more days. It was a lot, but my mare never became colicky, foot sore, dehydrated, or with diarrhea.

On the other hand, my BO friend had a boarder's horse get PHF. The owner opted not to involve a vet right away, treated the fever on its own, and by the time they realized what it was there was no turning it around. The horse severely foundered, barely able to get into a trailer with five people trying to lift him on, and went to the clinic to never come home.

My mare's bodyworker was previously a vet tech and saw the worst of PHF at the clinic. A big issue is that once the diarrhea begins, it's nearly impossible to keep the horse hydrated and fed, without losing huge amounts of weight quickly. Couple that with severe founder, and there is little hope of recovery.

Anyways... Didn't mean to be a downer, but that is the reality of PHF. I was very lucky with my mare, but I was very scared of what our reality could become throughout the entire ordeal.

Thinking of your previous curly mare @BiologyBrain. It's huge that she recovered from PHF - hopefully the clot is just a small bump in her complete recovery.
 
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