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
any indication where the pain might be. We kept examining him and
trying to figure
out the reason for his limping. During the following week,
examinations still revealed
nothing. Fully perplexed, a 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. After parting the
wool and further
examination, we were absolutely shocked at the sight of this open wound! 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! Nothing like we've ever seen before! By the time we visited the vet on the 24th, the
swelling
was greater and the wound was larger. Just a huge circle of raw tissue! 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 abscess 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. Since we never found
the spider, we
can't positively identify this as a brown recluse spider bite. Whatever,
it was a 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 owner and handler,
Jennifer.
Caracci had just turned 3 years old and he and Jennifer had accomplished a lot
of success in 4-H, the show ring and at the 2005 ALSA Grand National Championship Show.
Now five years later, I have just come across another page on the internet with
a first aid
kit for a brown recluse spider bite. I can't say whether it works or not,
but I'm definitely
willing to share the information for anyone who may need it and want to try the
proclaimed remedy. I would have liked to have known about it in 2006 and tried it
with Caracci. It
just may have saved Caracci's life. Here is the link to the site: Brown
Recluse First Aid Kit.
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 Info
Brown Recluse Spider Information & First Aid Kit
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