So on Monday we had Gutteral Pouch washes and tests on all the horses that have had symptoms. This test is loads more accurate as it goes directly into the guttural pouch where the infection is formed/ harboured. It involves an endoscope (camera) being inserted up the nose and right down and then solution flushing through which is collected and sent for analysis. We chose this one as you only need the one test to be clear and not the traditional 3 nasal swab tests as it is so accurate although slightly more expensive per test. The results came back yesterday and unfortunately 4 horses were still showing a little pus which was very minimal but still positive at the moment. Interestingly, one of the horses that was positive was one of the very first ones to become ill over 7 weeks ago and another one that had a clear nasal swab last week which just shows the sensitivity of this test. The vet is coming today to put penicillin directly into their guttural pouches then we retest these 4 in 10 days to 2 weeks so hopefully then that will be it! Even though these 4 have had no symptoms for a long time they obviously are still harbouring some pus so this treatment will also stop them becoming carriers as it flushes the infection right out. The good news is the rest were all clear so we are going to start walking them in hand in the indoor school. The girls have done such a good job of containing things that with no new temperatures for 3 weeks now and the 4 positives already in isolation, it is safe now to get the clear ones out of their stables. These horses will also be able to be ridden but again we are still containing all horses within the yard area and not going beyond the yard gates just to be on the safe side. So all being well just 2 more weeks now!!!
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 08:28:12 +0000
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