Bony Shetland

FionaDenmark

FionaDenmark

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Hi all. I have a 12 year old Shetland and he appears to be in very good health except he seems very bony along his top line. I can feel his first couple of ribs easily but not the rest. His spine feels prominent to me.

He doesn't have any fat pads where he shouldn't. He gets exercised for about an hour nearly every day and I know the bony top line can be a sign of cushings but I can't see any other signs. He has ad lib hay but doesn't get any other feed except for a mineral supplement. Should I be concerned?

He is up to date with wormer and has a normal amount of energy Thanks
 
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Have his teeth been checked? It's really unusual for a shetland not to be fighting the flab constantly, especially on ad-lib hay. Shetland teeth are quite tricky as there's not much room for the vet/dentist hands and tools to reach the back. I had a very respected dentist for mine, but when the vet sedated him this year, he had quite a few really sharp bits at the back.
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
Have you consulted with your vet?
Things to look at closely are teeth and blood test for cushings,
What worming is he up to date with? Has worming for encycsted red been done?
Blood tests run?
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No I haven't had his teeth checked (I've only had him since Sept) but I will do so soon. He doesn't appear to have any problems with eating, though.
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
Have you consulted with your vet?
Things to look at closely are teeth and blood test for cushings,
What worming is he up to date with? Has worming for encycsted red been done?
Blood tests run for liver function amongst other things??
Click to expand...

No blood tests yet but I will get them soon. He has been wormed with equimax, does it cover red worm?
 
FionaDenmark said:
No I haven't had his teeth checked (I've only had him since Sept) but I will do so soon. He doesn't appear to have any problems with eating, though.
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In your shoes then I'd definitely get vet out for general health check and fully inspect teeth too, right to the back.

Having had shetlands for many years, I'd be quite concerned about one that was in the condition you say, especially at this time of the year, who is eating ad lib.
 
FionaDenmark said:
No blood tests yet but I will get them soon. He has been wormed with equimax, does it cover red worm?
Click to expand...
Not encysted, but does do large and small.
Don't give him Pramox tho, not till your vet has seen him. It can very much affect a poor condition pony, can cause colic etc, definitely only after vets advice.
 
Agreeing with other posters who are flagging up teeth- it's common for Shetlands to have very poor teeth according to the Vet referral dental specialist I have spoken to. A lady I used to work for spent many thousands having her mini Shetland's teeth sorted.
 
foxy1 said:
Agreeing with other posters who are flagging up teeth- it's common for Shetlands to have very poor teeth according to the Vet referral dental specialist I have spoken to. A lady I used to work for spent many thousands having her mini Shetland's teeth sorted.
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I will definitely get his teeth checked and I'm not discounting the possibility of this problem being caused by teeth, but wouldn't there be other signs? He eats normally and doesn't spit anything out or drop when he's chewing. He's also fully digesting the hay.
 
FionaDenmark said:
I will definitely get his teeth checked and I'm not discounting the possibility of this problem being caused by teeth, but wouldn't there be other signs? He eats normally and doesn't spit anything out or drop when he's chewing. He's also fully digesting the hay.
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I had a Welsh C x Arab with quite a fine head. Never had a problem with feed, never objected to bridling. I had his teeth done as routine not long after I got him. They were like razors and he had some deep ulcers where they had been catching his cheeks, so you won't know for sure if everything is OK without having a proper look and feel about inside. Shetlands can be especially stoic too.
 
When my 2 first came they were able to eat hay with no apparent issues, certainly no quidding. But the teeth were so badly overgrown that some of the bottom ones had pushed up into the upper gum. I was horrified when my dentist showed me. The dentist explained she couldn't cure it but could make them both more comfortable. After treatment they both were able to eat hay better even thought I had thought they weren't having issues eating.
 
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