big bloated belly

[Serephin]

I was just wondering if anyone here had any advice.

my ned had a big belly when I bought him over a year ago but was like a hat rack everywhere else. I put him on some global herb stuff and he got a lot better, and started putting on weight. Over winter he had a good covering and his belly was a fair size but nothing major.

this summer so far he has dropped off a little weight, but his belly has gotten huge - and the cow pat poos that he has been doing since spring haven't relented at all. I thought it was down to the grass, and the crazy weather we have been having but there doesn't seem to be any let up. He is constantly hungry, always has been - I think he could eat hay until he exploded and never turns his dinner down. But now I am beginning to think there might me something more sinister to all this.

He is a 15 year old TB - he seems fine in himself - it is just this huge belly and the cowpat poos - I am sure people think he is fat, but he doesn't have any excees weight anywhere else, cos I am constantly condition scoring him - I am paranoid about it now. He isn't getting that much exercise because I am ill at the moment, but when I do ride we do schooling and some hacking and I have a lesson twice a month.

He is wormed regularly as it is yard policy.

I have called the vet because I am worried about him -am I worrying unnecessarily?

 

[Serephin]

anyone?

 

[tiggie]

I'm sure others will know alot more about this than me, but has he been wormed for all types of worms? what about tapeworm?
it may be worth giving him something that will kill all types of worms if you are not sure.
Alternatively have you tried a probiotic to settle his stomach

 

[rforsyth1984]

I know you said you worm regularly, but might be worth getting a worm check done just to be safe? Maybe blood tests for organ function as well?
Could you try reducing his grazing (with a muzzle maybe?) or try him on a digestive aid, in case its just excessive bloating/gas etc?
Probably is a good idea to get your vet involved as well, as chronic diorheah (sp?!) can cause other problems.

 

[OrangeEmpire]

If he is bright and allert I'm sure he is fine, but at least by getting the vet out, he can check for you.

re. poos - is he wormed regularly and getting lots of fibre?

My TB has an enormous ribcage which makes him look like he is a pregnant mare (genuinely! People have actually asked me when it is due!). I believe this is quite normal for the breed as racehorses have to be able to draw in as much air as possible.

Anyway as you are getting the vet out, I'd stop panicking. You've done the right thing.

 

[Serephin]

I have used the promax wormer (think it is called that) a couple of times this year - one of the girls at my yard has done the relevant courses etc and said it was a good all round wormer to use.

I am thinking it might be bloating and gas, but a little voice in my head is wondering if it is digestive - I am getting the vet out asap as I would feel better having a professional have a look at him and do a worm count etc.

thanks for your replies

 

[Nickijem]

Keep us updated if you can as I have a similar problem with my 12 y.o trakehner. When I bought him he was underweight and had very little muscle tone as he has been out of work. I have now been feeding him 3 times a day with relatively small meals of pasture mix, build up cubes and some feed balancer. He is turned out 24 hours a day. He has developed quite a belly but hasn't got diarrhea (sp!). I have wormed him when I first had him.

 

[Nickijem]

BTW I forgot to say that the problem is, his rib cage is still quite prominant ! I wonder whether he just has a big rib cage!!

 

[Serephin]

okay, will keep you posted

you can see my TB's ribs too - so I know he isn't fat as such

 

[MurphysMinder]

We had a mare on loan a couple of years ago. She always had quite a big belly and sprung ribs, her owners said it was because she had had a couple of large foals. In the winter she started with very loose droppings, and her breathing also became quite fast. The vet diagnosed colitis, and she did come right after treatment, though always remained a slightly unhealthy shape.

 

[paulo]

If you have used Equest Pramox which is the dual dose one your horse should be treated with normal Equest the next time, and willl also need to be treated with something for tapeworms e.g panacur 5 day guard.

I would ask your vet to carry out a worm count to be sure its not worms.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

I was talking to a very knowledgeable horse lady just a day or two ago and she suggested a double worming for a friend's TB that always looks a bit ribby but with quite a belly. Never heard of this before - might be worth running it by your vet???

 

[Triskar]

Lots of TBs don't do very well at grass - developing big bellies but not digesting the grass well enough to put condition on anywhere else. Give him a probiotic (pink powder or live yoghurt in his feed) to seed his gut with enough of the good bacteria to process the grass for him.

 

[Cuffey]

Panacur Equine Guard 5 day is for encysted red worm
The double dose mentioned would be Strongid P for tapeworms
However if you have used the correct dose of Equest Pramox and the horse didnt spit it out this should have taken care of all groups of worms
Agree with Triskar but then need to add fibre to diet
I would go for a balancer like Top Spec fed with some Hi Fi and/or Hi Fibre cubes
Grass has been very wet and could be low in nutrients
Try e-mailing Nicola at Top Spec nicola@topspec.com for advice

 

[jesterfaerie]

My lad is like this at the moment, although he slimmed down when he was in work it has recently come back due to him being out of work. I persoanlly think it is too big for it to be just fat, as he isn't fat anywhere else, just his belly. So I am planning on worming him again and speaking to the vet if nothing seems to work. I hope your pony is feeling better soon.