FERRUM PHOSPHORICUM HALTS DRYLAND DISTEMPER/PIGEON FEVER A Horse Story and Using Homeopathy
by Darcy Demming-Fisher

Copyright Darcy Demming-Fisher
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Email: aesplandida@qwest.net

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Facts: Dryland distemper is one of the most commonly diagnosed bacterial problems in the southwest. The disease is caused by Cornybacterium pseudotuberculosis and is associated with very deep abscesses and multiple sores along the chest and midline. Clinical signs can include lameness, fever, lethargy and weight loss. The disease is seasonal and usually pops up in the fall. The causative bacteria lives in the soil and can enter the body through wounds, broken skin or through the mucus membranes and can be highly contagious to other horses. Abscesses usually form in the pectoral muscles resembling the puffed out chest of a pigeon, thus giving the name pigeon fever to the disease. The disease occurs in three forms - external abscesses, internal abscesses or infections involving the limbs, known as ulcerative lymphangitis. For more info on this disease you can go to http://www.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=1954 .

My first bout with this fast moving contagious bacteria started last Saturday with my mare, Abby, who showed no interest in her breakfast, quite unusual for her. I took her temperature and knew we had a real problem when it registered 103.8 degrees. The vet arriving not long after and was unsure what we were dealing with as there were no other symptoms at this time. He did say that all of Arizona and the southwest in general was facing a tremendous amount of Dryland Distemper cases this year. As a precaution, he gave her 60 cc of a Sulfa drug and 40 cc of BioMycin, tetracycline. He also put her on SMZ an oral sulfa-trimithoprin powder twice a day. He made several guesses to what might be causing the fever but without any other symptoms was unable to determine if we were dealing with a bacteria or a virus, his final response was, "let's wait and see."

Abby began eating again in about an hour and seemed to have some relief, but by 6:30 pm her temp was up to 104.7. At that moment, I really didn't care what was causing this temperature elevation, I just wanted it back down. To the phone and a call to Eileen to confirm a remedy that I thought might help her with the fever (Aconitum napellus/Aconite), I always consult a homeopath on any remedy I use and this time I had deduced the wrong remedy. Eileen in her wonderful manner told me that I could try that one, but she recommended Ferrum Phos 200c as it was THE remedy for fevers. Off I headed to the barn with remedy in hand and some coffee in another syringe just in case we had any adverse reactions to the remedy. First, I took her temperature 102.9, I gave her the remedy and then took her temp in 15 minutes; down to 102.4, quite amazed and pleased I decided I'd take it again in 45 minutes. Wanting to stay with her to make sure that there were no adverse side affects I decided to spend the time to do a little journey and extraction work. As always my guides were right there with me, the journey was quite enlightening and brought back some pieces and the extraction work removed a large glob of yellow oozing stuff in her throat. An hour after giving her the remedy, I took her temperature again and we were down to 101.2 degrees, I began to breath a little easier. As promised, I called Eileen back and reported the results of the remedy, she was thrilled and suggested that I order up some Ferrum Phos 1M and 10M just incase things got sticky in the future.

Abby's temperature remained in the normal range from here on but I continued with the Ferrum Phos 200c. Monday morning, a new development, all four of Abby's legs were swollen and I mean double in size, from the coronary band up about 4 “ above the fetlock, thoughts began developing in my mind, in the future I need to ride each schooling session as though it were my last, because it could be. I just couldn't fathom losing this mare that had fallen out of her mother into my arms and was now at 4th level in dressage. Another call to Eileen who said that the Ferrum Phos had taken care of the temp, but we really needed to 1M and/or 10M now to knock the rest of this thing out, the remedies had not arrived yet, so we treated her with the 200c once an hour for 3 hours, the swelling was coming down and by Tuesday it was back to normal. I had the vet come back out to draw some blood to see what we were really dealing with, after examination he surmised that it had probably had been a viral infection and that the swelling was just secondary, he didn't think that we were dealing with Dryland Distemper.

Wednesday morning, Abby was eating great, no temp and her legs are clean again. Students arrived from Sedona to take a lesson in Piaffe and Passage on "Big", the Grand Prix horse and as we were getting ready to tack him up, I notice 2 swellings on his chest, I think to myself uh-oh, further examination reveals a dull eye and a temp of 103.7., here we go again, but this time we have symptoms of Dryland Distemper. Immediate use of Ferrum Phos brought his temperature down to normal in an hour. Consultation with the vet confirmed my fears, we did have Dryland on the ranch. He said don't panic, those swellings will get about the size of a football and then we may have to come out and lance them to remove the pus, oh goody! I continued treatment with the Ferrum Phos 200c and within 2 days the swelling had been reabsorbed by the body, Big's temp remained normal and he continued eating and drinking well.

On Thursday the vet called to let us know that he got Abby's blood work back and there was not one thing abnormal, no elevation in white cells, no anemia, no virus, no bacteria, nothing, she was fine.

Friday, I gave Abby a bath and turned her out to play and roll, she looked like the free spirited foal I'd remembered; healthy, happy and whole. I looked back at Big, quietly chomping his hay and then around the barn at the rest of the horses not knowing if we would have another sick horse. I had learned a lot in the last week. The most amazing thing was that using the right remedy really does affect the entire vital force of the being and that it can stop problems in their tracks. Abby had the fever and the lymphangitis, but the remedy didn't allow any other symptoms to present. Big had all of the symptoms of Dryland Distemper, the swelling had started, but by giving him the remedy his fever returned to normal and the swellings were reabsorbed by the body instead of enlarging and engorging with contagious pus.

In 40 years in the equine industry and having had an equine rehab center, I had dealt with a lot of horse injuries and problems, but Dryland Distemper had never found my farm before. My suggestion to all horse owners is have a good vet, have a great homeopath and have an extensive homeopathic remedy kit at your disposal at all times; oh, and of course, thank your guides daily!

A very special thank you to Eileen who took time out her busy life to help Abby and Big, your Godchild sends all her love.

I am happy to talk to anyone facing Dryland Distemper or any other training or health problem, just e-mail me at: laesplandida@qwest.net .

Darcy Deming-Fisher

El Caballo Grande Ranch