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Rattlesnake Bite !!

©  2009 Cherry Hill   © Copyright Information

Week 2

OUT OF THE WOODS

9-4 Friday

Swelling was down about 99% below her left knee; 90% on her left knee and about 85% on her forearm and chest.

Although there was no new serum, I soaked her leg and then washed off the salt residue and buffed it dry.

She was sound for her AM longeing session, 15 minutes at the walk and trot.

Noon was the one week "anniversary" of the rattlesnake bite and things were looking pretty good.

Right after lunch, a neighbor called to tell us of several cases of Pigeon Fever in our valley; I called my vet and he suggested I keep Seeker on the oral antibiotics for another week until all of her swelling has gone down. From my description of her condition, he did not feel that the swelling in her chest sounded like pigeon fever. He felt that it was completely related to the rattlesnake bite, but he didn't want to take a chance and neither did I, so it was back on the trimethroprim-sulfa oral antibiotics for one week or when she was completely free of swelling and sound - whichever came first.

Oral antibiotics PM.

9-5 Saturday

Swelling was down about 99% below her left knee; 90% on her left knee and about 85% on her forearm and chest.

Oral antibiotics AM and PM.

Two 15 minute longeing sessions AM and PM.

9-6 Sunday

Swelling was down about 99% below her left knee; 90% on her left knee and about 90% on her forearm and chest.

Oral antibiotics AM and PM.

Two 15 minute longeing sessions AM and PM.

9-7 Monday

Swelling was down about 100% below her left knee; 95% on her left knee and about 85% on her forearm and chest.

Oral antibiotics AM and PM.

Two 15 minute longeing sessions AM and PM.

9-8 Tuesday

Swelling was down about 100% below her left knee; 95% on her left knee and about 90% on her forearm and chest.

Oral antibiotics AM and PM.

Two 15 minute longeing sessions AM and PM.

9-9 Wednesday

Swelling was down about 100% below her left knee; 95% on her left knee and about 95% on her forearm and chest.

Oral antibiotics AM and PM.

Rode 20 minutes in the arena.

9-10 Thursday

Swelling completely gone.

Last does of Oral antibiotics in the morning.

Rode in the arena 10 minutes at a walk and trot, then trail ride through pastures with Richard for 20 minutes.

As Richard and I finished up our brief but satisfying little ride, less than two weeks after Seeker was bit by the rattlesnake, we sat there watching the sun go down while our horses stood quietly. We marveled at what a great healer Seeker was and how much more quickly she was back to work than either of us expected.

I hope if one of your horses is ever bitten by a poisonous snake, that things go smoothly for you. The keys, as far as I have learned from this one encounter, are prompt treatment, hands on commitment to continued therapy, a good horse and lots of luck.

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©  2009 Cherry Hill   © Copyright Information