Anaphylactic Shock

[para_pony]

This past week, my mare went into confirmed anaphylactic shock from her second round of Excede. What a scary day! Jewel is now in stable condition. Will be in the hospital for a few days.

Last year, Jewel developed quite a cough. We treated with steamed hay and she had some relief. This year, it started again. She would cough and cough, and bring up this gunk. Decided we better figure it out. Dr. Mitts came out on Thursday, scoped her and diagnosed very mild heaves. Gave Excede (long acting anti biotic) IM, she was to start on dexamethasone and ventipulman that next day… She had done great all weekend. Brought her in Monday, and she was fine. Gave her a nice shower, and Dr. Mitts came back to check on her and give second dose of Excede. Within 5 minutes, I knew something was very wrong. She became very weak on her feet, couldn’t lift her head up, broke out into a cold sweat and I could see respirations were up. Fortunately, vet made a u turn and was back. He worked on her over an hour. Tried everything. Banamine, tubed, oiled, rectal, and other meds I cannot remember. The decision was made to get her to the hospital.

Once at the hospital, they were over her like ants in a puddle of honey! Labs, ultra sound, tubed, rectal, IV, meds and more meds. My head is still spinning with everything, and since horse meds dont have the same names as people meds I cannot remember all of them. She was walking in a circle in the stall for over 2 hours, despite meds to calm her down.

She spent 3 days in the hospital. Of course, medically induced colic ensued. She is finally home, but the insult to her system has not totally resolved. The side of her neck itches, so now we have scrapes to doctor. Her neck and Crest is also very stiff and sore, so she cannot lower her head to graze. She is hopefully on the down swing of the assault to her system.

I had a long talk with my vet, and he has indicated that he will forever be very leery to prescribe in the future. As he conferred with other vets from Ocala, he has identified 2 other confirmed anaphylactic reactions in the area. Granted, not a lot based on the number of horses who have gotten the drug with no issues.

I just wanted to let you all know about this. There are other treatments available. As always, talk with your vet to determine the best treatment for your horse.

[AKB]

If your vet posts the information on the vet network website, it would be interesting to see how many other vets have seen horses react to Excede. Did she get hives, trouble breathing or other classical anaphylaxis signs and symptoms? I have seen anaphylaxis many times in humans. Hives, red skin, wheezing, loud breathing, nasal congestion are often how anaphylaxis starts in humans. Stomach cramps, diarrhea, and anxiety sometimes follow. I have no idea of how horses show their anaphylaxis.

[alibi_18]

@AKB

I have no idea of how horses show their anaphylaxis.

This is what happen when the airways are blocked.

She became very weak on her feet, couldn’t lift her head up, broke out into a cold sweat and I could see respirations were up.

A horse I half boarded had an allergic reaction to god knows what once… Was about to die. First sign was unusual fidgeting, then cold sweat and trembling.

Apart from that; itchy bumps, skin rashes and swollen/thicker areas are good signs of allergy reactions.

[x-halt-salute]

Wow, OP, I’m really glad you were able to get your horse to the hospital and stabilized. It sounds awful, but also incredibly lucky that it was caught while still treatable.

Wishing you all the best for a full recovery from the lingering symptoms, and thanks for sharing here in case anyone else has experienced similar or is considering Excede treatment for a horse with a history of immunologic issues.

[4horses]

This is the second bad reaction from that antibiotic that I have heard of. The last time, someone’s horse died. Seems that antibiotic is high risk.

Hope your horse makes a full recovery.

[JLR1]

You are very lucky! Recently I horse in this area had an anaphylactic reaction from a Penicillin injection and died on the spot. It’s frightening to say the least!

[Redemption3]

Hoping your mare makes a quick and complete recovery. Thank you for the information.

[JB]

I’m interested in why a very strong antibiotic was prescribed for “very mild heaves” Was it the “gunk” she was coughing up? I don’t know that my vet would have gone to something that strong for those symptoms and that diagnosis.

Any abx has the potential to cause anaphylaxis. Lots of people can’t take penicillin for that reason

With Excede, the risk of complications does rise with that 2nd shot. Knots/swelling seem to be the most common - happened to 1 of the 2 horses I have who’ve had this abx - he developed a great big “boob” after the 2nd one.

Jingles she will be just fine!

[para_pony]

As a ER nurse, I’ve seen my fair share of adverse reactions to meds. Her legs started shaking, could not lift head up, drooling, cold sweat and fast shallow respiration began in about 5 minutes. She went down and her eyes rolled to the back of her head. Colic symptoms then began. Vets feel that was more severe cramping rather than a true colic. She still cannot drop her head enough to graze.

[AKB]

Thank you for the detailed info. It is good you stayed with her another the injection recognized the allergic reaction immediately, and got the vet to return immediately.