[RC] Fw: FW: [Secure-list] Whisper syndrome] - Tom Sites
Subject:
Date:
From:
To:
>From: "John Holland"
>Reply-To: John Holland ,Secure List
>
>To: "Secure List"
>Subject: [Secure-list] Whisper syndrome
>Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2005 16:08:48 -0500
>
>I have now received several more reports of recent horse deaths with these
>unique symptoms. Obviously some of these deaths may be other disorders
>but the symptoms are unique enough to be very alarming. I have also been
>asked several questions which this message should answer. Let me say that
>I am not a veterinarian and am not trying to play one. I am very much
>hoping that I will get this far enough along that the veterinary community
>will pick up on it and take the ball. I have two who are beginning to do
>just that.
>
>I am calling this Whisper Syndrome until we know what it is. Here are
>updated fact
s. This disease is devastating and kills very fast. You must
>catch it early and hit it with antibiotics, but do not take this to mean a
>vet does not need to be involved, just make sure he is given this
>information.
>
>Stage 1 symptoms:
>Strange uncharacteristic, isolated stumble, trip, stretching step, head
>gesture, or other apparently neurological sign. These are often dismissed
>due to age or other factors. Turning head sideways while lying down (not
>looking at flanks like colic). Pawing at floor of stall, and or circling.
>Change of habitual patterns of behavior / confusion. Some of these
>symptoms obviously mimic colic, but rolling and looking back at the sides
>is not common.
>
>Lack of appetite or chewing but not swallowing.
>Aversion to water. Dehydration.
>No elevated temperature, and possibly a subnormal temperature (96-99.8 is
>typical).
>Blood work will show drop in lymphocytes.
>Heart
rate may not be elevated.
>Some signs of colic (caused by colitis that results). It is often treated
>as colic, losing critical time and resulting in death.
>Even if your vet is relatively sure you are dealing with colic, have him or
>her run blood tests immediately.
>
>Stage 2 symptoms:
>Difficulty walking or refusal to move from a standing position. Difficulty
>getting up. Sudden collapse. Shivering.
>White count may or may not elevate.
>
>Stage 3 symptoms:
>Shock, seizures, erratic breathing, death
>
>Death results in 12 hours to 4 days. No horses reported have survived
>other than our two who were given Naxcel, but penicillin may work.
>We are assuming here that ours all had Whisper syndrome, but this is a
>reasonable assumption given the fact that all occurred within weeks of each
>other. This is classic among horses who have died of the syndrome.
>Antibiotics are often not prescribed in time because
of the lack of a
>temperature. Blood work should be done immediately to determine if the
>antibiotics are indicated.
>
>It strikes multiple horses at a single facility and in most but not all
>cases it is horses that are eating round bales. It does not appear to be
>communicable from horse to horse, at least directly. It may be
>communicated via feces but this is only speculation. It strikes where no
>horses have entered the population for months or years. If there has been
>the death of one or more horses with these symptoms, it is crucial to watch
>the others very closely.
>
>What Whisper Symptom is:
>It could be botulism but vets are in disagreement on the likelihood of this
>because it appears to respond to antibiotics better than would be expected
>with botulism. Tests will prove or disprove one classic case in two weeks.
>
>It is probably bacterial in nature given its apparent response to
>antibiotic
s. It is far deadlier than moldy hay (which is bad enough).
>It does not cause liver damage. Slight brain swelling may be evident at
>necropsy.
>
>What we know Whisper syndrome is NOT:
>It is not believed to be related to mold, although mold may be present.
>It is not EPM.
>It is not Rhino or EHV-1 (Equine Herpes Virus) There is a serious outbreak
>of EHV-1 in Virginia right now.
>please read http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05057/463330.stm
>It is not West Nile virus.
>It is not Rabies (although some symptoms look like rabies).
>
>Where:
>Owners in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and upstate New York have all
>reported similar cases. The location of other cases is not yet determined
>and it may be more widely spread. There is an intense cluster in Virginia.
>
>If you have seen these symptoms or if you lose or have lost a
horse to
>similar symptoms please try to have a necropsy done by a state laboratory
>(not an individual vet), and please let me know right away. Hollandtech @
>earthlink . net (remove spaces). Ask them to test for botulism (this
>requires injecting a mouse).
>
>Here is what I will need to know:
>
>How many of the symptoms were present?
>Were multiple horses at the facility and were others affected?
>What treatment was given and what were the results?
>Were round bales being fed?
>Was anything fed from the ground?
>Was feed tested?
>Where did this occur and how recently.
>Was a necropsy performed? Can we have access to it?
>
>Thanks, and I pray I will not hear of more deaths. There were two deaths
>last night and one this morning reported to me. Each reminds me of the
>terrible death of Whisper. Please cross post at will. You do not need my
>further permission to do so.
>
>Thank you,
>
>John
Holland
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