New pony arrived with strangles now has purpura hemorrhagica

Zanny1407

Member
Oct 30, 2020
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Hi, this is the first post ive written. I recently bought my daughter a new pony for our family yard. we also have two other ponies. Pony on viewing was great-dragged out the field (didn't go to view this one, first was unsuitable) she was great, hooves a mess, but temperament and age of around 20 for my 8 year old daughter was what we had been searching for. we got her delivered the following week. On arrival, had her bathed, feet done that night-noticed swelling around her jaw. Kept an eye on it, over a few days it got bigger, started to hot towel it, got dentist out after 5 days. Really believed it was bad tooth and sinusitis, by now she had snot and eye discharge, very depressed, not eating etc. Dentist/vet examined and said strangles, launched her abscess. Left for a week on antibiotics and Bute, week later came back to do a follow up and teeth, day before he was due a second abscess came. He lanced that from the inside of the first one. On the mend, slight nasal discharge, but happy and on the mend. cleaning wound twice a day with iodine and kettle water. Our cob now has strangles swollen glands but no abscesses. Yesterday morning I went to do new pony and she wont move. her back leg is huge with swelling, shes not eating, going to toilet etc. vet comes and she now has purpura hemorrhagica. Had IV of steroid and antibiotics last night. I have to Jab her tonight with steriods. Then on Bute and antibiotics for four days. cob just on Bute. Other pony still not showing any signs.

I'm writing this if anyone has experienced this I would love to hear. And also as i have been terrified of ponies health, vets bills, my daughter's heart break if anything goes wrong and the future. All i can find online is facts. I cant can't find any forums of people saying oh my god my pony caught strangles!! So if someone else does Google it I hope they find this and it helps abit.
 
Poor pony :( I have no personal experience and I don't know if anyone on here has. What a terrible time for you and the pony and your daughter. Welcome to NR btw.
 
A few of my friends have had to deal with strangles, I’ve been lucky enough to avoid it personally. In every case it’s been a pretty long haul to get them cleared up and isolation and extreme bio security measures required to prevent re/cross infection, but all the ones I’ve known have come out the other side and got back to normal life, though the owners pockets definitely took quite a hit. Best of luck x
 
Im sure someone on here was on a strangles yard. I seem to recall them talking about isolation/quarantine and not mixing with others on the yard. Perhaps do a search for strangles in the search box.
 
Poor pony :( I have no personal experience and I don't know if anyone on here has. What a terrible time for you and the pony and your daughter. Welcome to NR btw.
thank you. I know been pretty rough-vet has said she has ticked literally every box which is so rare for things to go wrong.Either a really bad strain or she was so wormy, under weight etc, her body just hasn't been able to deal with it. she seems abit better today. she came with no tack-my daughter was stressing about the few days of not riding her when we first got her-got the saddle a few days into the strangles. Still hasn't had a ride bless her. but plenty of grooming, leading etc-the bond is made! can't wait to get her going she must be exhausted bless her xx
 
Im sure someone on here was on a strangles yard. I seem to recall them talking about isolation/quarantine and not mixing with others on the yard. Perhaps do a search for strangles in the search box.
will have a look thank you. by the time we knew it was strangles was too late to isolate them. pain of having a small private yard.
 
A few of my friends have had to deal with strangles, I’ve been lucky enough to avoid it personally. In every case it’s been a pretty long haul to get them cleared up and isolation and extreme bio security measures required to prevent re/cross infection, but all the ones I’ve known have come out the other side and got back to normal life, though the owners pockets definitely took quite a hit. Best of luck x
thank you for your reply. I'm glad you have been able to miss it. first time I've seen it-typical its been so bad. I'm dreading the bill as it's been non stop visits and drugs. can't wait to get her well-i know she is perfect for us. xx
 
Oh dear - poor you and poor pony! No experience of strangles (thankfully) but keep us posted on how you get on. Vibes for a speedy recovery.
 
How is your pony doing? Lots of get well vibes.
Thank you, has responded well to antibiotics, swelling in back end near enough gone. Had a slight nose bleed this morning, seems lame/uncomfortable to move. very depressed head down, not eating much. Informed vet, keeping an eye on her. just cant believe it is blow after blow. or cob now has severe swelling on one side of her face and a big abscess on the other. just totally gutted to be honest. Daughters birthday a week today-got pony new rugs, head collars, personalized numnah etc-preying she actually lives that long now. Thank you for your thoughts-feeling overwhelmed and alone!!
 
They can come back from the most dire things. My old boy who I lost last year, had the vet telling me to prepare for the worst a few years ago. The vet thought it was severe laminitus - he could barely stand, didn't want to eat, listless - just looked done for. After a few days of antibiotics injections, I left him stabled, for the first time in his life, ready to make the call the next day. Went to check him, before bed - he'd clambered over the door, wrecked the barn, eaten half the hay bale on the floor and was storming around like a loon. Turned him out and the next day he was bright as a button. Don't feel too alone - we all know that dread, but sometimes they bounce right back and surprise us - fingers crossed yours will.
 
Thank you, has responded well to antibiotics, swelling in back end near enough gone. Had a slight nose bleed this morning, seems lame/uncomfortable to move. very depressed head down, not eating much. Informed vet, keeping an eye on her. just cant believe it is blow after blow. or cob now has severe swelling on one side of her face and a big abscess on the other. just totally gutted to be honest. Daughters birthday a week today-got pony new rugs, head collars, personalized numnah etc-preying she actually lives that long now. Thank you for your thoughts-feeling overwhelmed and alone!!
Aw don't feel overwhelmed and alone - though it is easy to feel that way at first. Be guided by your vet and try and stay positive as best you can. (And try not to worry about the vet bills just yet).
 
I agree - horses and ponies are incredibly tough. They tend to shut down with things are bad, and we observe and think it is all over. But it isn't. They conserve energy and channel their inner strength to the important bits.

Nursing, care and trying to treat each symptom as it appears, is important and you are doing your very best.

Dont be disheartened. Just keep going day by day and soon there will be light at the end of the tunnel.

Stay strong for yourself, your family and your animals. They need you and you can do this.

Fx
 
Aw don't feel overwhelmed and alone - though it is easy to feel that way at first. Be guided by your vet and try and stay positive as best you can. (And try not to worry about the vet bills just yet).
Had few rough days. no eating, sec a had a nose bleed-possible bastard strangles or abscess in throat. Not eating, depressed etc. But have gone bank onto hayledge (was on soaked hay from risk of lami due to steroid injections) and she is eating, put her out yesterday in arena, she was stiff and could barely walk. Have had her out again all day and she seems tons better! still not comfortable walking on hard surface, but alot brighter.

my cobs abscess have burst-due to seeing sec a ab csess that was lanced this is totally different. kind of tree sap/treacle colour. Just weeping through her jaw, very scabby. vet not been back out, advising over the phone via pics. But both out today and seem happy and both eating which is a bonus.

Thank you for all your support. hoping we will get there.
 
I agree - horses and ponies are incredibly tough. They tend to shut down with things are bad, and we observe and think it is all over. But it isn't. They conserve energy and channel their inner strength to the important bits.

Nursing, care and trying to treat each symptom as it appears, is important and you are doing your very best.

Dont be disheartened. Just keep going day by day and soon there will be light at the end of the tunnel.

Stay strong for yourself, your family and your animals. They need you and you can do this.

Fx
that's such a kind message. Thank you so much. I did have a private cry yesterday after found cob ab csess burst as thought it was

purpura hemorrhagica as it wasn't burst or had discharge like sec a. more of a weeping of syrup/tree sap. And very scabby. vet says it's ab csess now cleaning twice a day with iodine. both out today, both eating, pooing and moving. it's an improvement just something so basic has made me so happy. sec a very stiff hoping this will ease. Thank you for your kind words xx​

 
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They can come back from the most dire things. My old boy who I lost last year, had the vet telling me to prepare for the worst a few years ago. The vet thought it was severe laminitus - he could barely stand, didn't want to eat, listless - just looked done for. After a few days of antibiotics injections, I left him stabled, for the first time in his life, ready to make the call the next day. Went to check him, before bed - he'd clambered over the door, wrecked the barn, eaten half the hay bale on the floor and was storming around like a loon. Turned him out and the next day he was bright as a button. Don't feel too alone - we all know that dread, but sometimes they bounce right back and surprise us - fingers crossed yours will.
That is so reassuring. I really appreciate it. feeling more positive today-now they are both eating and moving. hoping each day gets better. then i will see changes. when I keep getting blow after blow I then feel like there is no way they can keep going-the sec a more as she has been so poorly. praying they both just start to feel better soon. Thank you for your support and experience xx
 
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