Rhodococcus pneumonia - any success stories?

[a_new_breeder]

As luck would have it, my 2-month-old filly is hospitalized with what is almost certainly rhodococcus pneumonia (pcr to confirm in a few days). Mild cough led us to find an intermittent fever, which eventually led us to find lungs full of abscesses. She never seemed sick.

We’re treating aggressively, of course, and I know this is likely to require a lengthy course of treatment. I’m planning to do whatever they recommend to the T.

Lots of horror stories online, but does anyone have any positive outcomes to share? This was supposed to be my next FEI horse. Assuming she pulls through (I’m optimistic), how do these survivors compare in sport? Luckily her temperament is excellent, so a less physically-demanding career than FEI work could be an option, if her health allows it.

Just looking for a few hopeful anecdotes, I guess.

[weixiao]

I don’t have any experience to offer but just wanted to say I’m sorry you are your filly are dealing with this and I’ll be thinking of her and hoping for a speedy and complete recovery!

[EventerAJ]

I’ve dealt with it in several foals, 3 in KY and 1 in FL. They were caught early. One was on a KY farm that routinely ultrasounds their foals’ lungs every other week; rhodococcus is a real problem there and they catch a lot of them very early before noticeable symptoms start. This colt was treated for about 30 days and healed quickly; now a 4yo racehorse with no lasting effects.

My 1 in FL also was caught early, he had some symptoms but they were mild and could have easily been missed if my vet wasn’t proactive . He was on rifampin and azithromycin for about 45 days, only turned out at night due to heat risk. We kept him day stalled for another 3 weeks after finishing treatment in case there were lingering heat effects (it’s HOT in Florida). He made a full recovery and has no limitations.

[a_new_breeder]

Thanks EventerAJ. The vet said mine was moderate-to-severe, so I don’t think we can say that we caught it early, but this is very encouraging! To hear yours both went on to working careers with no evident limitations is great, and after relatively short courses of treatment is great.

We’ll rescan today, but the vet did say she’s getting more spice, so we’re interpreting that as a good sign for her immediate situation. She’s at a university clinic so in theory is receiving the best care possible .

[iberianfan]

I don’t have personal experience, but a good friend has battled that this year with 2 of his foals. The first one was pretty sick and lived at the vet clinic for a couple of weeks. He’s recovered now, hopefully, and seems to be coming into his own. Starting to look better and certainly feels better. The 2nd one was not as sick and spent a few days at the clinic. Of course, he’s recovering more quickly.

It seems very rampant. Both these colts got sick when the mare went to the breeding farm to be bred back. Different farms.

I can’t speak to long term effects but I hope all these babies recover perfectly!