Could this be ulcers?

[Indieanna6]

Hi, looking for some advice please ? new poster and long time lurker!
My mare is suspected to be around 23 but age unknown. We do know she was starved when she was young and she has always been very food orientated, usually spinning around you when bringing in during winter when she’s slightly hungry.
The past few weeks she has started fighting with geldings, kicking at her stomach and swishing her tail when eating, preferring hay to her usual horsehage, itching an awful lot and drinking and weeing a lot more. Also seems a lot more spooky as she is usually a sensible type.
I am reluctant to scope her due to her history of being starved as I worry this would be too traumatic for her, but does this sound like it could be ulcers? I have never experienced them before.
She also had spasmodic colic two weeks ago (first colic in 11 years of owning) and we are currently waiting results of blood tests and worm counts including tape and pin.
I have had her ovaries scanned last week as she came into her first season of the year two days after the colic and all seems clear there.
Thanks for any advice

ETA: she is fine to rug up and doesn’t react when groomed anywhere with differing pressures. Have also made sure all her teats are clean and free of anything that could have caused any discomfort.

 

[Snow Falcon]

Weeing and drinking more can be a symptom of cushings.

 

[Indieanna6]

Yes, I did request she was tested for Cushings in February when she had her vaccinations but the vet refused as she didn’t show any other signs. I am hoping he has tested for Cushings within the bloods taken last week and if not will insist they do.

 

[Snow Falcon]

Bit naughty to refuse to do something at owners request. I had a MOT done on my old pony when he got to 21. I wanted everything checked as a baseline. I'd definitely do cushings test based on her age.

 

[SpotsandBays]

It definitely test for cushings. If your vet refuses then just take your business elsewhere!

 

[Gloi]

This is the best time of year to do a Cushing's test.

 

[Starzaan]

Yep, this sounds like cushings.

 

[Indieanna6]

Thanks all - will definitely be having a Cushings test done this week.

I don’t have experience with Cushings - her main symptoms are being off her forage, having a few mouthfuls then standing on her bed swishing her tail violently and stamping her leg. She didn’t finish her net last night which is definitely not like her. Could this be related to Cushings or could I potentially be looking at ulcers and Cushings?

 

[Xmasha]

I would definitely check for cushings but also ask them to check kidneys too .
The itching could also be sugar related .. so could be an insulin problem .
So in your shoes id make sure she’s not given any sugary treats / carrots /molasses etc .
My old girl has just had bloods done as she’s been weeing a lot . Just waiting on the kidney function test to come back . Her results are in the grey area for cushings , and as she doesn’t have any of the traditional symptoms of cushings ( apart from the weeing) and she had a bad reaction to the Cushing meds last time Our vet has recommended a supplement which we’ve just started on , apparently it’s done wonders for other similar types
We should have the kidney results back on Monday .
I’m keeping everything crossed her kidney function is ok , as if not then we will have to consider letting her go.

Hope all goes well for you x

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would say cushings as well but it could also be ulcers so good idea to get tested, people have had good results feeding aloe vera for ulcer protection but it won't treat them might be worth a try.

 

[Indieanna6]

I would definitely check for cushings but also ask them to check kidneys too .
The itching could also be sugar related .. so could be an insulin problem .
So in your shoes id make sure she’s not given any sugary treats / carrots /molasses etc .
My old girl has just had bloods done as she’s been weeing a lot . Just waiting on the kidney function test to come back . Her results are in the grey area for cushings , and as she doesn’t have any of the traditional symptoms of cushings ( apart from the weeing) and she had a bad reaction to the Cushing meds last time Our vet has recommended a supplement which we’ve just started on , apparently it’s done wonders for other similar types
We should have the kidney results back on Monday .
I’m keeping everything crossed her kidney function is ok , as if not then we will have to consider letting her go.

Hope all goes well for you x

thank you, I believe the kidneys are being checked within the bloods already taken, I’m hopeful I’ll get the results back tomorrow as they hadn’t come back when I called on Friday afternoon. Im just worried sick and need answers so I can make her better I hope your results are ok.

 

[Indieanna6]

So after many hours of sat observing, I have concluded the following:
Horse is fine whilst grazing and does normal amount of poos with normal consistency.

After coming in to stable, around an hour after starting to eat hay or horsehage (have tried both to see if any difference) she will scurry to her bed to poo/trump then appear colicky with noisy gut, empty chewing, tail swishing. This will repeat frequently sometimes with diarrhoea (6 poos done in 2 hours this evening) before she returns for a drink and more hay.

So whatever this is, I feel it’s definitely related to her starting to digest the hay / horsehage.

Im now considering colitis??

 

[Xmasha]

thank you, I believe the kidneys are being checked within the bloods already taken, I’m hopeful I’ll get the results back tomorrow as they hadn’t come back when I called on Friday afternoon. Im just worried sick and need answers so I can make her better I hope your results are ok.

its good news here, and her kidneys are fine. So keeping our fingers crossed that the new supplement helps. Hope you get some answers too

 

[Indieanna6]

Glad you got the news you were hoping for Asha

I'm praying the blood results come back today - they were taken on Tuesday last week. Will be phoning the vets regardless to chat about what I have noticed since their visit last week

 

[Indieanna6]

Bloods have come back and vet reports all appears normal.

He is going to come out on Friday to do an abdominal ultrasound and has requested I take a wee sample in the meantime.

 

[Jess1994PM]

i have known a few horses with ulcers and the tell tale sign was a change in riding temperament - went from happy horse to angry when being ridden, never need a kick and was a squeeze along horse but started being very stroppy/nappy so had him checked and was ulcers. tightening up the girth/rugs became a massive issue and was looking/kicking up at the belly. tested straight away and was put on treatment.

 

[Indieanna6]

Thanks @Jess1994PM, she isn't ridden so can't comment on ridden behaviour / girthing but there is zero reaction from being poked / prodded / groomed / weigh taped / rugged.

Her behaviour being led to and from field has been a bit hit and miss recently though, acting as if she is on a mission all the time when she is usually very laid back.

 

[Jess1994PM]

Thanks @Jess1994PM, she isn't ridden so can't comment on ridden behaviour / girthing but there is zero reaction from being poked / prodded / groomed / weigh taped / rugged.

Her behaviour being led to and from field has been a bit hit and miss recently though, acting as if she is on a mission all the time when she is usually very laid back.

Definitely could be ulcers, some of the triggers of them are lack of forage and stress which is as you said above what she went through in her last home! Colic is also a symptom of ulcers, grumpiness, and soreness. just think of yourself when you have bad bellyache or pain in your belly - you would be pretty angry due to pain, not eating as well, and trying to alleviate it by touching your belly or trying to spreading out. the sooner you can get it diagnosed and sorted the better it is so hopefully you find out soon! x

 

[Indieanna6]

I can definitely relate to that with having endometriosis!

I wonder if ulcers would cause her to prefer the hay to the horsehage she usually has - perhaps a difference in aciditiy?

Her worm count has come back and all ok there, just waiting for the results of the pin and tape.

 

[ChanceEquine0809]

Hi, looking for some advice please ? new poster and long time lurker!
My mare is suspected to be around 23 but age unknown. We do know she was starved when she was young and she has always been very food orientated, usually spinning around you when bringing in during winter when she’s slightly hungry.
The past few weeks she has started fighting with geldings, kicking at her stomach and swishing her tail when eating, preferring hay to her usual horsehage, itching an awful lot and drinking and weeing a lot more. Also seems a lot more spooky as she is usually a sensible type.
I am reluctant to scope her due to her history of being starved as I worry this would be too traumatic for her, but does this sound like it could be ulcers? I have never experienced them before.
She also had spasmodic colic two weeks ago (first colic in 11 years of owning) and we are currently waiting results of blood tests and worm counts including tape and pin.
I have had her ovaries scanned last week as she came into her first season of the year two days after the colic and all seems clear there.
Thanks for any advice

ETA: she is fine to rug up and doesn’t react when groomed anywhere with differing pressures. Have also made sure all her teats are clean and free of anything that could have caused any discomfort.

Hi OP

Can you PM me, I’m in an extremely similar position with you. Vets are coming out Monday so would be good to link up with you to see how you get on??

 

[Indieanna6]

PM'd @ChanceEquine0809

For anyone following, I have not fed any of her usual (been on for 2 years) horsehage for 2 days now and only fed hay and so far I seem to be seeing a marked improvement.

I would much prefer her to be on the horsehage as I believe it is better for her weight rather than hay, but this again makes me wonder if its a difference in the acidity and that she has ulcers?

 

[Indieanna6]

So after being much improved on the hay, last night the symptoms started again (not eating as usual, and tail swishing and foot stamping when eating)

Vets are coming in the morning to ultrasound abdomen and do cushings test. If all that is ok, I guess scoping is the next step.

Worm count and tapeworm have come back with very low burden - just waiting on pinworm results.

I really need answers, I am constantly so on edge that she will full blown colic again, it is starting to make me ill.

ETA: teeth have also been checked and all ok there.

 

[Birker2020]

Worm count and tapeworm have come back with very low burden - just waiting on pinworm results.

.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if it is pinworm.

Baileys tail used to go mental as soon as it was dusk and Mrs Pinworm came out to lay her eggs. She was also very restless. And rubbed bottom. Typical time of year for pinworm too. They can also cause colic.

Gosh all the vets need to do is look under a microscope, it takes seconds to diagnose, why is it taking them so long? If you had a microscope you could check quicker yourself.