Dosen't seem right in his hindquarters

[bellaboo]

My little shettie is feeling very sorry for himself at the moment, a couple weeks ago he seemed abit stiff on one hind leg, but this just seemed to disappear. I noticed the day before yesterday he was looking stiff again, couldn't bring him in as it was too dark. Brought him in last nite and he walked in ok, although he was defineately short on one hind leg and had started toe dragging. Put him to bed and he was just so uncomfortable, switching the weight on his hind legs and was standing with one foot infront of the other, like he was crossing his legs! He was un interested in what was going on around him and really not himself, he WASN'T eating!!!! We've always joked that when Ted stops eating the vet needs to be called! I decided to leave him and check on him again in an hour, when i went back out he was nibbling on his hay and seemed alittle brighter although very reluctant to move his quarters, almost piveting around on them.
This morning he seems abit brighter again and not so bad on his hind.
Have rung the vet and he wanders if he has pulled thing, but doesn't know why he's not eating. Have rung physio and she's happy to look if the vet is happy for her to do so, any idea's of whats up or any experiences?
Sorry it's so long!!

 

[spaniel]

I suspect he isnt eating because he is in PAIN! Please ask the vet to come and see him first before the physio.

 

[bellaboo]

I agree last night i did think he was in pain, but didn't want to give him anything as i didn't want to mask anything incase the vet felt he needed to visit today. I forgot to mention that he is to have bute over the weekend and see how he is by Monday and of course if he goes downhill i will get the vet out a.s.a.p. Because he seems better today the vet felt he didn't need to visit, just monitor over the weekend, taking him out for grazing 3 times a day for 20 mins as he is happily munching the grass. Don't really want to turn out in case he charges round the field.

 

[dieseldog]

Has the vet told you to give him bute? You need to get him looked at as he just isn't right.

 

[bellaboo]

Yep, the vet said to give him bute, and just see how he goes over the weekend. Have been down to let him out for some grass and he seems alot better although still stiff. The problem is that it seems to come and go, he is always stiff but has never been as bad as last nite, so when the vet comes out there isn't a great deal to look at other than he is stiff. I will get it investigated as it really needs to be, i am just wandering if anyone has any ideas as to what may be causes the stiffness? I would never let my pony suffer and would always get a vet out to see him if he needs it, but i have spoken to my vet and this is what he suggests. Now this could be because he dosen't have time to/want to come out on a Saturday or feels that we should monitor him and see how he goes. Last night he did seem uncomfortable but when i checked him later he did seem better but obviously still very stiff which he is going to be as he is shut in, but seemed better again this morning. I would just like to have anyone's ideas on what could possibly be causing this and if anybody has experienced this before?

 

[zigzag]

Could he have a touch of Aztouria?

 

[bellaboo]

He has no hard feed what so ever and is mainly a field companion, although does go out very rarely with the children, can this still affect them with no hard feed or exercise?

 

[zigzag]

My friends horse gets aztouria irreguarly, she is grass kept with no hard feed...

 

[buzzles]

It sounds like azotoria but it might be laminitis. The symptoms sound similar to a pony we have who got laminitis back in february from the frosty grass and got it in her hind feet. She was very reluctant to move and just seized up behind. My first thought was azotoria even though she wasn't on hard feed and out all the time. The vet came and said it was mild azotoria, mild colic and laminitis in the hind feet brought on by eating frosty grass which had just thawed when it is very high in sucrose and sugars. It has been quite frosty the last few nights so it could be something to consider, I think you should call your vet though if the pony is not eating and seems to be in pain. Hope he feels better soon!

 

[lizzieuk1]

yep be careful in case its laminitis, there have been loads with it recently and sinc we've had a couple of frosts then its bound to be lurking. i'd keep him off the grass until you;re sure its not that

 

[bellaboo]

Oh didn't think about the frosty grass! He's never had lami before but there is always a first time. He does seem happier tonight and have changed to a different bale of hay so is now eating (fussy devil!!) but he's more his usual self although still stiff. Will contact vet again on Monday if he doesn't get worse before, thanks for your advice

 

[pottamus]

Yes watch out for lami pls. My horse was showing the same symptoms recently and it turned out to be an abbcess in his hoof...but when that had cleared and farrier came, he found traces of mild lami too...in his hinds and not fronts. Take care and best get the vet out and keep off the grass just in case.