Irish sport horse Hazel’s medical emergency began when she sustained a wound to her leg requiring antibiotics in November 2023.  The next month, Hazel was transported to the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center (EMC) in Leesburg after initial life-saving treatment at Woodside Equine Clinic in Ashland.

Hazel’s arrival at the EMC — one of three animal healthcare facilities of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine — is a unique collaboration between two equine medical facilities who both wanted the best possible outcome for this horse, a good example of the success that can be achieved when veterinary professionals work together to reach a common goal.

Hazel – formally EPA Elegance – is a 6-year-old Irish sport horse mare, owned by Shannon Daily from Powhatan, Virginia, that has since returned to competition.

Shortly into Hazel’s antibiotic course, she developed a known complication of antibiotics, colitis, an inflammation of the colon which can cause many life-threatening conditions. 

She was hospitalized at Woodside Equine Clinic for almost four weeks while she received life-saving treatment for multiple complications of her severe illness. This included dehydration and colic, low blood pressure, disruption in normal blood clotting process, and fungal infection of the nasal passage and sinuses.

After remote collaboration between the EMC’s internal medicine department and Woodside Equine Clinic, it was decided that Hazel was stable enough to be transferred to the EMC. Upon arrival Hazel was in a light body condition. She was diagnosed with pneumonia and multiple blood clots in both jugular veins, both superficial veins in the hindlimbs, and a superficial vein in the forelimb. 

Like many ailments, colitis can vary in severity, Hazel’s case being so severe that it led to bacteria from her gastrointestinal infection entering her blood stream, called septicemia. 

Septicemia (sepsis) in horses is a life-threatening condition in which bacteria, or their toxins spread rapidly through the bloodstream. During septicemia, the body’s response to the invading pathogen is severe inflammation regulated by the bone marrow, white cells, and even liver. Excessive inflammation, however, can lead to dysregulation of the body’s normal functions including altered coagulation, bacterial spread to the lungs, and many more co-morbidities. 

After tests were performed to identify which bacteria were causing her pneumonia, and which bacteria were infecting the blood clots, Hazel was started on a continuous IV infusion of antibiotics. Additional treatments included aggressive anticoagulants, antifungals, and supportive care including gastric protectants, antioxidants, and supplemental nutrition.

Due to Hazel’s unwavering strength and the dedication of her owners and doctors, she was successfully discharged from the EMC in January 2024. Hazel continued her medications at an equine rehabilitation facility, Wright Rehab in Purcellville, during which EMC doctors continued to monitor her condition and blood work periodically. 

In late February, she returned to the EMC for an outpatient recheck head CT and recheck thoracic radiographs. To allow for safe and non-stressful acquisition of images, Hazel was carefully sedated via the lateral thoracic vein to preserve her other, healing veins. Both the CT and radiographs were evaluated by a radiologist and determined to show significant improvement since her first images.

Hazel’s medications were gradually tapered under the watchful eye of her care team and after four months of TLC at Wright Rehab, she returned home for the first time in six months. After a gradual return to training, she successfully competed in her first event in November 2024. 

Hazel’s journey is a testament to the resilience of the equine spirit and the power of collaboration among veterinary professionals. From her harrowing fight against life-threatening complications to her triumphant return to competition, Hazel’s story inspires hope and highlights the incredible advancements in equine medicine. 

Written by Megan Marchitello, clinical instructor of equine medicine, at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center.

Hazel bandaged in a stall. Hazel in a stall at the Equine Medical Center. Hazel under saddle for the first time after treatment.