Billy has peritonitis

Luci07

Luci07

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 October 2009
Messages
9,380
Location
Dorking
Visit site
Fine on Monday evening, has seemed a little quieter over the last couple of days but I put it down to him being moved out of the barn and into the courtyard (which he prefers). He is very protectiive of his food so happier when no other horses can be seen when eating.

Yesterday am, he didn't eat up his breakfast (not like Billy - he likes his food), only done a couple of droppings, high temp and had not drunk - again this horse will get through 2 large tubs of water at night. Vet came out immediately and took bloods, gave pain killers and antibiotics. I was massively relieved it wasn't colic per se but the bloods came back today to show peritonitis. I hand grazed him at lunchtime and then for a bit in the evening (vets recommendation) My lovely YO went back at 10.30 to check and he had his temp taken all day. End of day, temp down, horse now on the chilly side so was rugged up in a thermatex and neck cover last night (been in a sheet uptil now). Ate 2 bran mashes, no roughage (vets advice).

Today, vet back, more antibiotics, Billy is slightly jaundiced so more bloods done. Turned out for small periods of time (hour then back in stable) to mooch in the starvation paddock. We agreed to tube him as he had only drunk a very small amount so that was done. 2 more bran mashes with a small amount of nuts in as the tubing worked and he did a normal Billy type poo. Temp stayed constant.

He has lost weight already ( I know from bitter previous experience how quickly a horse can drop off when in pain), and is alternating between mugging all for cuddles or being exceptionally grumpy (obviously in pain). Very tender on his flanks.

Vet back again tomorrow for more injections and looks like this could go on over the weekend. I made the mistake of googling this for more information and wish I hadn't. Please can anyone give me experiences/more info? Complete trust in vet (practise is an excellent specialist equine one) but have been worrying myself stupid over Billy.

Billy is a 17 hand 5 year old ISH. Has been in singularly glowing and rude health uptill now and is my pride and joy.
 
Really really hope Billy pulls through this, dont let your Vet take his/her eye off the ball atall. A horse (young) on our yard had this earlier this year, sadly she didnt make it but other factors may have contributed. Sending the biggest get well wishes possible to your horse and good luck with it xx
 
Poor love.... massie vibes to your boy

My mare had colic surgery last september, she had abcesses, a perforation and peritonitis, and was in foal.

Shes now got a lovely 3 month old filly foal at foot, so miracles can happen xxx
 
I've known a couple of horses get peritonitis, and they are both fit and well now.
They both needed intensive vet and nursing care for several weeks though, and I know that one of them had a couple of set backs before he got fully better.
I hope Billy recovers well for you.
Kx
 
My horse got Peritonitus October last year and ended up in rossdales for a week and they were fantastic he pulled though and has been to his first BE event this year so horses can make it. Its a difficult time and if at all unsure ask the vets or call them mine where fantastic pm me if you want any info of to chat
 
My elderly TB got peritonitis a few years ago - they said he wasn't going to make it and he was too poorly to travel to the horsepital. He did make it and bounced back to full health after only 3-4 weeks!
 
My gelding ate a staple from he field shelter when he was young caused abscess right next to the peritoneal wall, vet did a tap ( which we found out later was mm away from the abscess ) he had to be rushed up tho cheltnam where he stayed for a week I think or just over. He very nearly had peritonitis but for him he lucky didn't.

withing you good vibes wish you could send me some. New xray last Monday night showed my mares soles have dropped she is so much in discomfort :(
 
Thanks all guys. Much appreciated. We don't know what caused it - Having checked carefully around his stable I "think" he may have chewed off part of the wooden support for his haybar (there are 2 wooden rails which a board slides behind forming a hay bar on the floor). He didn't have this in his stable in the barn. Head girl is ripping out the bars today as one looks newly chewed.

He seems a lot better today. Drank about a 1/4 of one if his tubs, completely mugged Charley (head girl) for his bran breakfast and had more antibiotics at 7.30 this morning. Think this will be a claim as my vet has been out first thing for the last 3 days for him and think this will be carrying on. Droppings looked better (not so dehydrated) and gums a little better. Yard had chucked him back out in the starvation paddock (small paddock next to the barn, pretty much on the yard for horses on restricted/close watch turnout and he is is now back in (only allowed an hour at at time to ensure he doesn't gorge all at once. We know there will be eat as much as possible if on restricted turnout but need to ensure he doesn't overload his stomach). Fingers crossed for the results of the liver (blood) tests later.
 
Hope Billy's liver results come back ok, My 17.2hh 4 yo had peritonitis last year and was very poorly. I thought he had colic initially but turned out to be peritonitis.

He wouldn't eat/drink very much and had vet visits to inject antib's and pain killers everyday for 10 days. He was scoped 3 times as developed secondary gastric ulcers as a result of all the medication and they took some fluid off his lungs where they suspect the infection started and then tracked round his body.

My lad was ill for about 6 weeks in total but made a complete recovery so fingers crossed for you
xx
 
liver tests show damage caused by the infection so off protein and now being given very very small amounts of soaked hay (off the haylage).

More blood tests being done again tomorrow and the vets are doing a special run to the labs (won't trust the post on a bank holiday). Drank 1/2 a bucket of water (good) but not quite as perky tonight when I went back up. He is under constant supervision on the yard atm. Vet back again 7.30 tomorrow.
 
My boy had this a few years ago he was very poorly and wouldn't eat or drink for days apart from his bran mash which I had to hand feed him. He was very cuddly when he was ill and got very upset if I left his stable so had to sit with him most of the time!

He was too ill to travel so I nursed him at home, once they start drinking you are normally on the up then. He was checked every 3 hours thorough the night for 2 weeks after, after he started eating again I used to give a small haynet every 3 hours. And found he often needed rugs on/off as his temp changed alot even though it was June time.

Sounds like you and your vet are doing a fantastic job, hoping he continues improving.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top