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| Author |
Message |
    
Joan Aschim (Aschimj)
| | Posted on Thursday, Dec 14, 2000 - 12:38 pm: |   |
I have a 28-year-old Thoroughbred mare with probable atonic bladder. EPM was confirmed two years ago but she recovered to a large extent with a 30-day diclazuril treatment. She has been somewhat uncoordinated ever since, cannot close her lower lip, has some head tilt, but she has gotten along well enough, it seemed, until this bladder problem. She can still urinate in a stream of spurts but she has scalding. How can I know her level of discomfort or pain? So far she has no infection. I understand infection could occur and become chronic and might be treated by daily antibiotics for the rest of her life, and that the scalding might be releived by shaving her and applying vaseline daily ... I have her boarded so daily treatment is difficult. Are there other solutions? Is the condition permanent? How bad is her pain? Should I put her down? |
Angela Spucces (Rubysmom)
| | Posted on Friday, Dec 15, 2000 - 2:16 am: | |
I can help with one problem, try A&D ointment or Desitin cream for the scalding. It is more soothing than Vaseline.
I am sure Dr.O will have more info for you. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM (Dro)
| | Posted on Friday, Dec 15, 2000 - 7:22 am: | |
Hello Joan,
I wish Angela was right, atonic bladder is a complicated and difficult problem to address and if long standing has a guarded prognosis for resolution.
We have a discussion of treatment possibilites at Equine Diseases: Urinary System: Excessive or Uncontrolled Urination: Loss of sphincter tone in young mare. If she has evidence of Cushinoid disease you could also attempt to aggressively treat it as the excessive urination may contribute. The article on this is under: Diseases: Endocrine: Cushinoid.
Your other questions are even more difficult, lets try them in order:
How can I know her level of discomfort or pain?
This should be evident through her actions: does she act depressed or colicky? Depression is also a symptom of the Cushinoid disease. How is her appetite?
So far she has no infection. I understand infection could occur and become chronic and might be treated by daily antibiotics for the rest of her life
Yes, this is possible but I see no reason to worry until it happens.
and that the scalding might be releived by shaving her and applying vaseline daily ...
I see no reason to shave.
Should I put her down?
The hardest question of all. There are so many factors that enter into this question we cannot begin to answer this for you. It depends on your goals, your resources, and how you perceive your horses health. If you are unsure, it may not be time. If you find this has you exhausted and continuously worried it may be time. Hope this helps.
DrO |
Dave Taves
New Member
Username: Discod
Post Number: 1
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jan 1, 2003 - 1:48 am: | |
I have a 20 year old gelding who is urinating constantly, especially if he gets excited. It appears to be thicker and white in appearance. He has been checked by a vet and put on anti biotics with no change ????????????????? Dave |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 7513
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jan 1, 2003 - 10:12 am: | |
Dave I refer you to the discussion referenced above, in it we talk about the various possiblilities and how to go about treating them: Equine Diseases: Urinary System: Excessive or Uncontrolled Urination: Loss of sphincter tone in young mare.
DrO |
