Cause of crusty eyes, watery nose and lacklustre coat?

[Cliqmo]

Hi there, I have also posted this in Veterinary but thought it might get a bigger audience / better response here.

My gelding has the symptoms listed above and I was hoping to find out if there are any likely causes?

The symptoms are not horrendous (the girls on the yard think I am overreacting) but I have definitely noticed a regular discharge from both eyes (either being sticky and balling up in the corner, or drying to a crust) over the last few weeks, when normally his eyes are clean and dry.

This morning after he had eaten his breakfast I noticed a thin streak of very watery discharge from his nose and on his muzzle

I took off his rugs to give him a brush, and despite being a clipped out dapple grey I definitely felt that his coat seemed dull and lacklustre- and he had a patch of scurfy bumpy skin on his neck and one on his girth area which did not seem unduly itchy or painful. When I gently pinched some skin into a peak it took a moment to flatten again, which I believe is a sign of dehydration isn't it? Naturally he has clean fresh water in the field and the box and also has access to a salt lick.

Recent changes include moving to a new yard six weeks ago, which brought about a fairly substantial increase in his workload, and being brought in overnight since the beginning of this week because of the foul weather. He is out during the day on an acre of nice, if grazed-short, dairy pasture and is now in overnight in a large airy loose box.

He is fed a scoop of Safe and Sound, Codlivine vits and mins 'supple joint formula' and granulated garlic, which he has been taking for months and months.

He was vaccinated earlier this year and had a reaction to it, but I assume he is still protected? He is due for worming but was last done with Equest Pramox and has only grazed by himself since and his poo is collected daily.

He seems bright and happy in himself

Any advice would be most welcome.

 

[be positive]

It could be a slight allergic reaction, is he on hay as this may be the cause., this combined with the move and his immune system coping with his new environment. It does sound as if he is also a little dehydrated, a horse that is feeling a bit under par often does not drink as much as it should, I would monitor him for a day or two and maybe get the vet to do bloods if no improvement.
Try soaking his hay to increase water intake and remove any dust, give him a wetter feed than usual with sugar beet if you can, maybe add some salt but only if he is drinking as you do not want to dehydrate him any more.
Adding apple juice or giving a bucket of sloppy sugar beet can also get more into then but give him a choice of plain water too.
You can get tonics to boost the immune system it may be worth trying one.

 

[Cliqmo]

Thanks heaps for the advice.

Yes he has been having hay overnight since he has been coming in, although I think the grotty eyes started before this- so the suggestion of settling into a new environment makes sense too.

I have used the last of the hay bale today and had intended to start a shared bale of haylage tomorrow, is that a good idea? Or do you think I ought to buy some more hay and soak it?

Last winter I fed soaked 'Fast Fibre' by Allen and Page as an alternative to sugarbeet, do you think this would do the job or shall I get some sugarbeet?

Sorry for all the additional questions!!

 

[be positive]

Haylage is ideal as it will not be dusty and has a higher water content. Fast Fibre will be fine as again wet and will help with hydrating him, but I wouldnt do the sloppy bucket full as suggested, maybe some apples, I have loads of windfalls at the moment and they are full of water, but not if he is at risk of laminitas as also full of sugar.
I am sure he will soon be fine as he adjusts to his new home.