Question:
We had a nice TB gelding in the barn to be sold. His specs are: approx.
16.h.h. , w/t/c, jumps, auto lead changes, etc. Great to handle on the
ground and has excellent gaits. He did race but was too slow. His legs are
clean. The asking price is $6,000 CAN. This horse also has a sever
penicillin allergy.
This gelding is not a terror either as I rode him while sharing the ring
with a group lesson and he was good and quiet as can be. I would rate myself
as an intermediate level rider.
Now this horse didn't sell but was instead sent back to the breeder to go
and play into the pasture until sold.
My question is, did he not sell because of the allergy? What sort of
ramifications are you looking at taking on a horse that does have allergies
to common medications? I know the sale market is slow, but he's a nice horse
and would make a good all arounder. The reason I didn't buy is because a
wedding in Oct. (my own) is sucking my finances dry and it ain't going to be
all that fancy!
Answer:
Do you know for sure that it has a penicillin allergy? Most reported
allergies are actually do to improper administration of procaine
penicillin and they are responding to procaine (hyperexcitable, spastic,
thrashing, twitching...). I'm going by what I was told by my coach and what is listed on his halter
plate - where a sire & dam should be listed, it read Sever Penicillin
Allergy. I would have to ask his owners to be 100% sure. He sure is a nice
horse though.. :-) I wouldn't rule out the horse due to even a severe drug allergy because
there are other drugs in that class (which probably should be avoided also
assuming a true cillin reaction) and other classes of antibiotics that could
be administered. Did many people come look at the horse and then become disinterested or did
noboby come to look? The answer to that might give a clue as to whether its
the severe allergy or something else.
I have a mare that had an allergic reaction to penicillin. The Vet said it
is possible she would die if ever given penicillin again. So I don't give it
to her. The only problem is that if someone were to be unaware of the
allergy and give penicillin. I make sure anyone caring for her knows this
fact and it is recorded at the Vet clinic in her records. I should put a
sign on her stall door as well. I wouldn't turn down a good horse for this reason. You just need to use
other anti-biotics when necessary.
