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Mark Farrior
New Member
Username: Mfarrior
Post Number: 1
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 - 12:33 am: |   |
My 10 year old quarter horse mare has tested positive for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. The titer results are 1:256, high titer. The lab stated this was a significant titer and would suspect the animal to be showing clinical signs. I've been told there is no documented case of a horse infected with RMSF. Her current condition is lame (grade 5 in the a.m., grade 4 throughout the day), temp = 104, walking on toes, no heat and no pulse in the foot to speak of, & depression. Treating with Bute, but only helps somewhat. Could RMSF be responsible? Doesn't appear to be much research with RMSF in horses. Not many doctors even want to discuss it. I've been told by several doctors that you cannot trust positive lab results nor titer results. Could antibiotics (Doxycycline) get this mare back on track? Any info will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Mark |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 15209
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 - 8:11 am: | |
Is there any swelling in the legs Mark and which legs are lame and toe walking? Certainly fever in combination with lameness suggest infection are there no localizing signs where the infection is? Has there been a through investigation for a solar abscess? I cannot find such a case though horses are known to develop titers to several types of rickettsial infections including RMSF but as you have found little is known about whether it can cause clinical disease.
Doxycycline is a wide spectrum antibiotic and since you have evidence of infection I don't see any harm in using it as a therapy. But you need to continue to investigate the cause of the fever as RMSF is a uncertain diagnosis.
DrO |
Mark Farrior
New Member
Username: Mfarrior
Post Number: 2
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 - 9:34 am: | |
My veterinarian says he does not have much experience with administering Doxycycline. I was wondering if you could tell me what might be an appropriate dosage range of Doxycycline for horses? Everything I've read has been around 10mg/kg; does this sound right to you? Also, how long would this need to be administered? Thank you for such a quick response, I really appreciate your help.
Sincerely, Mark |
Mark Farrior
New Member
Username: Mfarrior
Post Number: 3
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 - 3:11 pm: | |
Also, would it be safe to give my horse the Bute and Doxycycline concurrently?
Thanks again,
Mark Farrior |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 15214
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Friday, Mar 31, 2006 - 8:17 am: | |
Mark, you will find dosages and contraindications for both of these medications at, Horseadvice.com ยป Equine Medications and Nutriceuticals.
DrO |
