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Hi,

I have a very sad situation on my hands and I need all the help I can get. My fiancee bought me a colt 2 weeks ago. (March 7,2002) The first thing we noticed was the nasal discharge, the first night it was clear green mucous, then it changed over the next 2 days. It got thick and greenish/black in colour. The colt was a wild pony (the vet surmised based on his appearance) purchased at the auction. He is severly malnourished and weak, since being here he has put some weight on but he has problems eating and drinking. Every time he does it comes out his nose shortly after. The vet said he had strangles and put him on Ampicillin 2000mg 2x/day. it has been a week and I see no improvement. I have not seen or felt any abcesseson the outside however there was drainage from his nose that was white and may have been pus. I have never owned a horse before and neither has my fiancee. We are learning very quickly though.

Thank-you very much for your time.





Sincerly,
Robyn


Robyn,

You said something that concerns me ... "he has problems eating and drinking. Every time he does it comes out his nose shortly after", this sounds like a horse with a cleft palate. Have your vet do an oral exam (with a full mouth speculum) and be sure to examine the hard and soft palate.

Thanks,
Dr. Lowder