Fiction: Kentucky Derby

Firing Line was brought in due to not eating, watery eyes and a cough. I took his temperature and a temperature of 104.5. This indicated the horse had the flu, or equine influenza. This myxovirus infection was contagious, so the horse was separated from the others and placed in quarantine. The horse had swollen lymph nodes and a nasal discharge that was clear. I indicated that he should stop being worked and he was kept in good conditions. Rest and care was required for the horse and I let them know that he may need at least three weeks of rest. Preliminary tests indicated there were no bacterial infections present.

I indicated to the owners that they should vaccinate the horse and that it provided some protection. I also let them know they should administer boosters every three to six months. I let the owners know that the horse could shed the virus up to ten days after administering the vaccine, so the horse should be kept secreted to prevent other horses from being exposed.  I let them know they should not work him for two days after being administered the vaccine. He was put into a box stall and tended.

International Star was brought in with some lameness in his right hind leg. The owner indicated it could have been caused by him being overworked. Sesamoiditis was suspected since it was accompanied by windpuffs, soft swellings which were fluid filled and toward the rear of the fetlock joint. The proximal sesamoids and sesamoid sheath of the flexor tendon had painful inflammation.

This is fairly common among racehorses but indicated an ongoing problem that had been building up so we decided to get further information to determine how to care for the horse. Radiographs were taken. Shoes were changed and pads were added. Egg bar shoes were given to the horse. The farrier ensured they had a wide bevel and the toes were squared. To reduce stress, the toe was pulled back and the shoe was set back Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were administered to bring down the inflammation. I let his owner know it may be about eight months before he would be ready to race.

Danzig Moon also had some issues as he was displaying some soft swelling on the fetlock joint. Since it was only on the cranial side, I considered it a mild case of osselets. Considered a form of arthritis of the metacarpophalangeal joint, the horse indicated it was painful. He had a gait which appeared rather short and uneven, which made it a little difficult at first to determine what was wrong. After should issues were eliminated as a cause, we focused on the osselets condition. This was treated by a nerve block. We then took radiographs. Since it was caught early, it was treatable. Cold therapy was used first, later we integrated hot therapy and dimethyl sulfoxide. He reacted well to the treatment and it was indicated to the owners it may be 4-6 weeks of stall rest and therapy.