Photos are not for a squeamish stomach.

These photos were taken on 1-27-06, just 6 days after we 
originally found the wound with just a very slight bit of swelling.
The wound was only about 2/3 of this size when we first found it.
There was no disturbance to the wool or signs of any bleeding.


Showing the swelling of the wound on the left front elbow.


The area right around the wound has been shaved.


The open wound.

Caracci was first noticed to be limping on January 13, 2006.  Upon examination
no injury or swelling was found.  He didn't seem to favor any part of his leg or give
indication where the pain might be.  During the following week, no examinations 
revealed anything.  Vet appointment was made for the 24th.  Another home exam
was done on the 21st and we discovered "perhaps" a small swelling up on the elbow.
In trying to apply some DMSO to the small swelling, which didn't seem to be painful
to the animal, we discovered a raw wound under the wool.  The outer wool was
not disturbed or ripped and there was no signs of bleeding.  We trimmed off the
wool revealing a large round raw wound about the size of a tangerine.  The bone
was exposed in the center.  By the time we visited the vet on the 24th, the swelling
was greater and the wound was larger.  The photos above were taken on Jan. 27
where the entire area was greatly enlarged from just 6 days previous when we had
first discovered it.  Our veterinarian feels the wound originated from the outside -
 not an abcess which would start from the inside.  The only idea that we have come
up with is that it may be a Brown Recluse Spider bite.  However, we wonder if that
would be possible in Indiana in January.  In searching the web, we have found a site
that lists Recluse Spider bites and there are some recorded in this area in the winter.
Perhaps that is the answer to this mysterious wound.

Naturally we would like to find an answer to this terrible tragedy.  Due to the location
of this wound and the inability for it to heal, Caracci was put down on Jan. 28, 2006.
Caracci will be forever loved and remembered by his 4-H owner and handler, Jennifer.
Caracci had just turned 3 years old and he and Jennifer had accomplished a lot of
success in the show ring and at the 2005 ALSA Grand National Championship Show.

Here are some other photos of a two month old cria, also bitten by a Brown Recluse.
After treatments, the infection spread down underneath the tongue.  She had to be put
down after 10 days.  For information about treatment, see Pearson Pond Ranch.

  

                                   

For more information about the Brown Recluse Spider .........
Reports of Bites in Pets
Ohio State - About the Brown Recluse Spider
Bite Site Search Page
Brown Recluse Spider Bite Site





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