Update: fungal lung infection 😞 Ethmoid hematoma or guttural pouch mycosis

[BEJ]

First we have allergic reaction to bute and today we topped it with profuse bleeding from his nose and mouth . Bleeding stopped 30-45 minutes after it started and was excitement/stress induced.

He’s going for scope and possible surgery Monday but so far we’re thinking ethmoid hematoma or guttural pouch mycosis. I know prognosis for the latter is very guarded.

I’d appreciate any first hand experience with either or the suggestion of something different if the symptoms fit.

Backstory……
This sweet guy came to me December 27th. The story I got was……gentlemen was looking at a QH horse and saw him standing half starved in the neighbors pasture. Either two horses had died or were dead in the pasture with him. He offered the elderly gentleman some money and took him home. I got him about a month and a half later. He was still very skinny but the gentleman was following the prescribed re feeding program through his vet. He had his teeth floated and an infected tooth removed and abx as prescribed. I have no reason to not believe the gentleman who I got him from. He provided all necessary papers and has been very involved with his progress since I took him over.

In the month I’ve had him we’ve addressed his crazy long feet, had a chiro adjustment and body work. Almost two weeks ago I trailered him for his chiro and acupuncture appointment. He was very stressed in the trailer. He did not move around at all but shook and broke out in a full sweat. I checked on him about 30 minutes into our trip and he had a steady bloody nose. It took a good hour after arriving for it to stop.

Today he was feeling good so I decided to lunge him a bit for the first time. He got very worked up, typical stallion screaming and prancing. He got about 30 seconds into this when he stopped, dropped his head, kind of rocked back and then started profusely bleeding from his nose and mouth. He coughed a lot so I’m not sure if it was the blood from his nose going to his throat that he was coughing up or what. He seemed very concerned by it all and was very stoic when the bleeding started. It took about 30-45 minutes to stop. Vet said that since it stopped and he seemed fairly normal that a scope can wait until Monday.

I sold my young horse last Friday, totally devastating for me, and today I though this guy was going to bleed out in front of me.

I’m preparing myself for the good, the bad and the expensive. I’m drinking a lot now, too.

If anyone has had experience with something like this I’d appreciate hearing your story. I’m just preparing myself. If nothing else, he’s enjoyed a full tummy and love for the past month.

[4horses]

Wow that does sound scary! Wishing you the very best. I have no experience with something like that. Other then minor nosebleeds caused by sinusitis.

[drop_shot]

My previous horse had something similar. He was totally normal seeming and then sprung a bloody nose that went on for a few hours. I remember the stall walls at the vet hospital being smeared with blood from him rubbing his nose.

The vets were a bit perplexed by his case. They took him into surgery to open his face up thinking that they would find hematomas, but it ultimately ended up being a fungal sinusitis (Aspergillus) that caused the initial nose bleed. We didn’t know this until his autopsy results came back.

I’m hoping that your guy has a better outcome.

[Fancy_Free]

I have had experience with guttural pouch mycosis, and it was very much an emergency situation that would not wait multiple days to scope. Sorry I’m not trying to panic you, but if you have the option to get it done sooner I would. Said horse went in for emergency surgery and he ended up having a full (although very expensive) recovery.

[hut-ho78]

Mine had emergency surgery for guttural pouch mycosis for a hemorrhage. The first horse hospital had us take her to the university. My vet and the vet at the horse hospital called ahead. It was touch and go for about 24 hours. She made it through surgery but did not do well for a while due to loss of blood and being traumatized.

The inside of the trailer looked like a prop from Chain Saw Massacre. One of the university veterinarians was nicknamed “Carrie” because she was at her head and was soaked. She came home with a huge tracheotomy hole I had to clean and keep flies off.

The fungus can eat into the aorta as it happened with my horse or into a major nerve. Horses are often found dead in the pasture or stall as the first symptom. The blood can temporarily clot off but anything that knocks that clot off will start the bleeding again while the fungus is steadily enlarging the hole

The hospital has to have little coils. They isolate the fungus from the blood supply by bridging off a part of the Circle of Willets. That kills the fungus. Then they follow up with scopes and rinsing. The dead fungus will separate and wash away. It can take a few return trips.

My horse and I were lucky. Fantastic and alert barn staff. (That barn is closed now .) My vet and both horse hospitals knew what they were talking about. The head surgeon was really good at this surgery.

This was 15 years ago. Total with follow ups was somewhere around $5100-$5500. Not bad considering they saved her and it was a complete recovery.

[BEJ]

Thank you! He is at the clinic and we’re waiting on further diagnostics. I just hope he’ll get to come home

[Fiesta01]

So sorry for your loss. {{{Hugs}}}

[BEJ]

Update….

Well, worse than what we thought, he has a severe fungal infection in his lungs. He’s happy, eating and always looking for a mare so we’re going to try treatment. Prognosis is very poor, and we’re prepared to put him down if he says he’s ready, but looking at him you’d never know how bad his X-ray looks.

[erinmeri]

I’m so sorry for the bad news. Sending you both jingles for a full recovery.

[EADoug]

I’m so sorry to hear that

[Paint_Party]

I’m sorry that there’s a poor prognosis. Yet you and the vet clinic are doing your best to give him a chance. What you wrote in your original post really resonates:

@BEJ

If nothing else, he’s enjoyed a full tummy and love for the past month.

Yes, he has known that someone cared about him. And that’s a wonderful thing.

[TWH_Girl]

We’re all pulling for you! Post if/when you need strength and some support.

[BEJ]

Thank you everyone . I just cannot believe how bad his X-ray looks yet he’s bright eyed and just a happy horse.

Since stress is causing the bleeds we sedated him and I brought him home. He came off the trailer calling to his friend and acting like the big bad stallion he thinks he is . He trailered fantastically and NO BLEEDING!!

We’re treating with fluconazole for 60 days and then checking his progress with a follow up xray. Even if good we’ll likely treat another 60 days. Fungal infections are so, so tricky to treat.

If at any time he says he’s ready we’ll oblige. He’s an otherwise happy horse who’s only symptom is nose bleeds so why not try🤷‍♀️

I’m so emotionally exhausted. I truly appreciate everyone’s kindness.

[GraceLikeRain]

Jingles for a full recovery and glad he had an uneventful trip back home

[beowulf]

Jingling for you. What is your boy’s name, do you have some photos?

It sounds like he is very lucky to have you. I hope his medicine kicks in and that this is just a bump in the long road ahead you two have together.

[BEJ]

How do I post a pic? It’s not obvious and I’m emotional toast

[EADoug]

Little button here to upload.

Sending good vibes for your boy!

[BEJ]

Here’s Reyo

[beowulf]

Oh, I want to give him the biggest kiss. What an adorable face!! He has such bright eyes and a forelock that rivals Fabio. Thank you for sharing him with us. I hope he feels better soon.

[EADoug]

Such a sweet face. I hope the treatments work and he starts to improve.