ANOTHER sick horse on the yard! Am i being paranoid??

[mollymurphy]

RE: http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/sh...rue#Post2507511

Well Hattie deteriorated quite badly and the vet told the owner that she needed to realise that she might not make it.

The impaction hadn't cleared and she was just very poorly really. But after a few days, she pooed!

And then she pooed more! And now she's nearly totally better.

But i got to the farm this morning and one of the ponies (6 year old welsh A) was colicing.

Vet's been out 3 times so far. Impaction colic again, but more severe this time. Also lots of blood when the vet did a rectal exam.

However, just before we left the yard tonight, he did 3 little poo balls!

Hopefully that'll get things going and he'll be ok.
But what i'm worried about is if the 2 cases are related?? We've only ever had 1 colic on the yard before and that was a relatively mild spasmodic colic a few months back. Now we've got 2 horses showing very similar symptoms within a few days of each other. They had both been turned out in the same field and neither have had any change in feed, hay or routine.
Would you be worried that it was something contagious? We have had 3 new horses move onto the yard in the past couple of weeks, but only 1 of these has been put into their field (after 10 days on his own) and he seems perfectly healthy.

Apparently with Hattie, the colic was secondary to the virus as the virus had caused everything to slow down and not work properly. We dont know yet whether Harry has a virus or it's just colic. A different vet surgery has treated Harry. I phoned the vet (our vet) who treated Hattie and he reckons it's probably a coincidence, but to keep an eye on them all and feed them sloppy high-fibre feeds for a while. Am i being paranoid?!

Would you let any horses off the yard at the moment (lots of livery yards in this area)? Or do you reckon it's just a coincidence?

Somebody put my mind at rest please!!

Lou. x

 

[Parkranger]

I would guess it is a virus - I've experienced them on yards - hopefully the cold weather will get rid of nasties like this.....end of the day it can happen anywhere.... hope they're all ok

 

[mollymurphy]

I'd love to know where it's come from. Probably in the air - Hattie is 27 and very rarely goes off the yard.
I've already got 2 lame horses - it would be just my luck for them to catch whatever this is too!

 

[zigzag]

Are they drinking enough water,? have you had a new "supply" of water eg does it taste different? maybe the water board has altered how they treat water?

 

[mollymurphy]

They were/are both dehydrated as they weren't drinking. Hattie was put on a drip. I havent heard how Harry is yet. Hadn't thought of the water - as far as i know, nothing has changed. However, in their field is the remains of a flood from the summer. It's been being drained out, but it's taking a while - could it be something from that? It is only rain water, but it's quite old and had loads of ducks in!

Hmmm.....

 

[_Libby_]

Sorry to hear about the poorly horses. Was wondering whats happening with the neglected mare?

 

[Fantasy_World]

Crikey Lou you are having a bad time of it of late

I hope all the horses concerned make swift recoveries though x
I don't know much about colic really except what I have heard from people and read in books etc as I have not yet experienced it first hand ( and don't want to either tbh).
I would agree with a virus though being a possible cause because apart from the recent bit of cold weather over the weekend this autumn has been relatively mild. Think we all need a few weeks of severe frost and cold tbh to kill off all the bugs.
The water could also be a possible cause though as well because bird poo and their feathers can harbour all sorts of bacteria. Were the ducks from the yard or wild ones?
We have geese on the yard I am at and they do drink and bathe in a water container for the horses in one of the fields. Interesting though in our case because the horses stopped drinking from that one and only use the other one now.
I know the one the geese used got filthy. It was like pea soup in the end with feathers, sh*te, mud and allsorts in.
Gawd only knows what germs were harbouring in that water.
If the field had been flooded as you said and had a lot of ducks on and other wildfowl there could well be bacteria living in the pools of water in the field ( assuming there are places that are not yet drained as you said)
Pity you don't know anyone that could test the water for you to see if is contaminated or not or if anyone on here is a microbiology student or similar that could possibly help.
If we get a big freeze though soon I would imagine all would be well because the germs should be killed off by it.
Is there any other field you can use for the horses as a temporary measure until the other field is drained or any residual water is refreshed by a deluge of rain?
Cazx

 

[tastetherainbow]

This could poss be caused by the cold weather. The horses obviously drink less when its cold and become dehydrated. The horses then dont produce as much saliva which means that any food when eaten is not digested properly. This then leads to the foods becoming compacted in the gut. You could advise the other liveries on the yard to keep an eye on the amount of water that the horses are drinking. Salt licks should be placed in the stables and salt can be put in the horses feed to increase the horses thirst. i hope everythin works out fine. whereabout is your yard anyway? Maybe there is a virus going around at the mo. xxx

 

[mollymurphy]

Thanks guys! Caz, the ducks are wild - well, there's a coarse fishing lake on the farm and they wonder over from there to have a swim in this puddle! It used to be huge, but the farmer had a dig around, found the drain and it's gradually shrinking now. The horses still drink from it though and it looks pretty minging tbh!
Mine arent in there, but five other horses are - 2 of which have been ill.

Will mention it to the farmer - see if he could fence the puddle off. It's not like they havent got any clean water - they're just being lazy and cant be bothered walking all the way over to it (puddle's in the middle of the field, water trough is by gate)!!
I've told all the liveries to feed sloppy feeds and wet hay. I'll tell them to watch what they're drinking too.
tastetherainbow - we're in Daresbury, Cheshire.

Just heard from Harry's owner and vet reckons he's gonna be fine now. Still pooing!

x

 

[Llwyncwn]

The water situation has had me thinking Lou. It might be an idea for you to speak to Henryhorn, she had a terrible problem with the floods and unfortunately lost a couple of foals but William survived. It took ages to get to the bottom of it with so many tests and it was touch and go for a long while. Eventually it was proven to be from the water and I believe it was a strain of E-coli (not 100% sure on that).

 

[Fantasy_World]

Lou, I'm glad to hear Harry is on the mend

I would def say from what you have said now about these birds being wild that the water is the source. It does sound increasingly as though the dirty water and the horses' being ill is connected. I think fencing it off sounds a great idea and if steps could be taken by the farmer to prevent this water accumulating again it may be a wise decision.
Helen yes I remember the foal situation with Henryhorn now you mention it. It did baffle for a while but then I'm sure you are correct with a strain of e-coli being the cause.
I have just found an interesting article relating to pollution of water by bird populations which could well be related to what has caused the horses to be ill.
birds and the spread of disease

In the article it stated that that wild birds excrete a variety of human pathogens in their droppings, including the bacteria Campylobacter, Listeria, Salmonella, Aeromonas, Vibriocholerae, Yersinia, and Escherichia Coli 0157, the protozoa Giardia and Cryptosporidium.

Certainly interesting reading and something to remember for the future next time anyone's horse is ill and they have access to water which is 'used' by birds.

I have discovered with a bit of research that the following can be transmitted to humans from horses

Campylobacter: Campylobacter is the most common bacterial cause of gastroenteritis worldwide and can be transmitted from horses to people via activities such as cleaning their stalls and grooming. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, headache, nausea, and/or vomiting lasting 3-6 days. You can also prevent campylobacter infection by avoiding contact with horses and their manure, and if contact is necessary, thoroughly wash hands and clothing afterwards.

Cryptosporidium: Cryptosporidosis is a parasitic disease that causes a mild to severe infection of the gastrointestinal system, including watery diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Most people who get cryptosporidosis get it from contaminated food or water, but the parasite may be present in horse manure, so exhibit caution when visiting and caring for horses. If you develop symptoms, contact your physician.

Salmonella: Salmonellosis is a bacterial disease. Typical symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain that starts 1 to 3 days after infection. These symptoms usually go away after 1 week. In some cases, medical attention is required because the diarrhea is severe or the infection has affected other organs. Usually, people get salmonellosis by eating contaminated food, such as chicken or eggs. However, farm animals such as horses can carry salmonella and pass it in their feces (stool). If you have a compromised immune system, be extra cautious when visiting farms and animals at petting zoos.

I knew about a few of these because I can remember hearing about salmonella as child when terrapins were becoming quite popular as pets and they could transmit the disease.

I hope you don't get any more horses ill at the yard Lou and that the farmer does consider fencing this pool of water off for the time being.
Cazx