Bute making elderly horse very tired?

YorksG

YorksG

Over the hill and far awa
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Our 31 year old coloured cob mare has become very very tired and I am wondering if anyone has any experience of this being a side effect of bute.
The old lady started with what appeared to be an abscess about six weeks ago, neither vet or farrier could find anything and nothing showed on x-rays. Farrier returned two weeks later, still couldn't find anything, although every now and then there was a nassty smell from her foot (possible gas abscess). While she was very lame she was having up to 3 bute a day. She is now almost sound, but has become very lethargic. She has had no bute for a week and seemed to be picking up, a little, we gave her one bute last night, as farrier was due today, she was quite 'flat' again today. I am now wondering if the bute could be part of the problem. The vet is scheduled for the morning, just wondering what other peoples experiences are.
 
Not yet, that is on the agenda for tomorrows blood tests. Farrier, who has known her for over twenty years saw her again today and was saying how uncushingsy she looks. I know you can't always tell by looking, but he insists the lameness was not laminitis and she is fine on it now.
 
31 is a really good age ! maybe shes just had the stuffing knocked out of her with the abscess and is taking a while to pick back up. maybe a course of red cell would help :)
 
Not personally seen Bute work that way, but then that's just my experience. I would be inclined to think from what you've said about the smell, that there's an infection in the foot which is taking all her energy (and white blood cells) to fight at the moment.

I'd be inclined (considering her wonderful age) to try a course of antibiotics anyway. Good luck with her :)
 
archiepoo said:
31 is a really good age ! maybe shes just had the stuffing knocked out of her with the abscess and is taking a while to pick back up. maybe a course of red cell would help :)
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I am hoping that this is the case, we were quite worried about her and tbh the farrier worried us more!.

Mrs B said:
Not personally seen Bute work that way, but then that's just my experience. I would be inclined to think from what you've said about the smell, that there's an infection in the foot which is taking all her energy (and white blood cells) to fight at the moment.

I'd be inclined (considering her wonderful age) to try a course of antibiotics anyway. Good luck with her :)
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Thank you, she is a fantastic old lady, who looked after my foster daughter, when she was very troubled, was driven by my dad and nannied traffic shy horses, before she retired. She also has a second string to -her bow as a shepherdess :)
 
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