Yesterday I made my first outing after being laid low by a nasty stomach bug for two crappy weeks. Two weeks! I went hear our old friend and fellow horseman, Adwyn, play with the Colorado Chamber Music Society.
Adwyn's on the right
The concert was full of diversity, and I enjoyed it very much. It was held in a historic building dating from 1913. The building has tapestry bricks, terra cotta trim, and a tile roof. Cool.
David stayed home to take care of the horses, and Boomer was fine all day. But when I got home around 5 and stopped in to say Hi, he looked depressed and not his usual Alpha self at all. I took his temperature, and it was 104. Yikes! Dr. Gary came right out on a Saturday night, in spite of the fact that it's a l-o-n-g drive here, and Dr. Gary lives a l-o-n-g way in the opposite direction. The man is a Saint.
*Dr. Gary's house
30 minutes
*Dr. Gary's clinic
*Moondance
1 hour, 30 minutes
That's 3 hours, 30 minutes on the road just to take care of us. Furthermore, he told us to call him today (Sunday!!!) and let him know Boomer's temperature, because if it hadn't gone down, he'd come back and give him another shot. The man is a Saint. Did I say that before? Well, I don't think I can say it enough. We are so grateful.
Yesterday's shots
Me - "that's a big shot, Dr. Gary"
Dr. Gary - "that's a big horse, Terry"
Today Boomer's temperature is coming down (102, still high, but a big improvement) and he's eating like a horse, so no long drive for Dr. Gary. We are dosing him with SMZs (the antibiotic Sulfamethoxazole), and he is currently standing out in the pasture, soaking up a little sun for a few hours. The only wrinkle in his life is that his BFF Ben is in a separate pasture to keep them from sharing cooties over the waterer. They can see each other, and they both seem content.
Boomer left, Ben right
Of course we are wondering why. Maybe it's the beautiful weather. We had some 11 degree lows, and we had a couple of days where we never got above freezing. The horses have full winter coats (except for Paj, geez), and now we're back in the 60s. I've always worried about colic with these temperature swings, and now I'm adding bronchitis to the list.
We are doing everything we can to keep it from spreading. Big-hearted neighbors Kate and Mike have 6 new rescues that we are eager to meet, but we'll restrain ourselves until the infectious period is over. Then we'll visit and blog all about it.
Get better soon, dear Boomer. We love you.
14 comments:
Terry, with all that TLC I am sure Boomer will get through this.
You are most fortunate to have a carrying vet.
I agree that the fluctuations in temperature can weaken not only a horse's system but we humans too.
So sorry about you and Boomer ailing... two weeks is a long time to be sick Terry. Glad to hear you're both feeling better.
I recently read somewhere that a reason these big temperature swings cause more illnesses is that both the warm and cold season "bugs" are active at the same time. We've had some sudden fluctuations here too... I worry for Val and watch water consumption like a hawk.
Hoping everyone continues to improve!!
Sorry to read about Boomer. It seems that he is going in the right direction. You too. Two weeks is a long time for you to feel so crappy. Boy you have had some real swings in temperature. I don't like those extremes either. Do you feed soaked beet pulp?
I worried about the health of the guest horses with all of the temperature variations - like you, my thoughts had gone to colic. Who woulda thought?!
I'm glad he seems to be on the mend.
Boomer has angels and Saints looking after him! I'm betting a lot of owners wouldn't have picked up on him not feeling well as quickly as you did.
Hope Boomer is mending daily and what a dedicated vet, so important to tackle these things quickly! Pleased you are better also!
Ivan
Glad he's responding well. Yep, that's a big shot ;-).
Two weeks with a stomach flu? Yuck! Glad you're feeling better, though.
The building is beautiful, love the history there!
I'm sorry to hear about Boomer, but very happy to hear it was caught early enough not to turn serious! I know what you mean about this wonky weather, we're getting it too here in MI (but not with quite the same extreme drop in temp.). :)
Poor Boomer! I am glad he is on he upswing though. Who knew temperature changes could bring on Bronchitis!?!
Poor Boomer! That must have been so worrying.
Here's to a speedy recovery.
You guys just can't catch a break. I hope Boomer feels better. He has the best care :)
I hope Boomer bounces back dear girl!
Boomer with bronchitis....not fair...and you too with stomach ailments.....I don't know if this good weather/bad weather is healthy. We are very sunny and warm right now, so unusual for November....we went for a walk along a new trail called the The Dingle and it felt like summer weather at least Maritime summer weather.
Take care please
Ron
Wishing you and your family a happy Thanksgiving and hoping Boomer is doing better.
Ivan
We have horses at the other end of your spectrum....we have mini's. This summer, within 48 hours of returning from a show, one showed symptoms. By the next morning, we had a barn full of coughing, phlegmy, nasty-nosed horses. Two became VERY ill and we were very worried about it becoming pneumonia or an infection in the pleural cavity. All have recovered and are back to their onery selves. We didn't bother to culture, just began treatment. Vet supposed it was a viral infection. We were trying to support the immune system and prevent a secondary bacterial infection.
BTW, it can be as much fun to dose a mini as a big
horse! :-). Glad you both are on the mend.
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