Feeling hopeless- advice?

E

Elvis

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 April 2013
Messages
1,013
Visit site
Elvis isn't right, and I don't know what else I can do. I'm really hoping someone has some advice.

At the beginning of this year Elvis looked off colour and stopped eating all his hay overnight (odd as he eats anything and everything), I got a vet out who did bloods and it was discovered his liver wasn't functioning properly, they weren't sure if it was viral, an infection or poisoning. He was treated with antibiotics and steroids and a biopsy was taken- only mild damage, only scored 1/10 (10 being a very damaged liver). His bloods were taken regularly and he was brought back in to work at the beginning of May whilst still on steroids, he seemed really perky and enjoying life. Was given clear bloods at the beginning of June and weened off all treatment, however on vet's advice I put him on Immuplus and Restore by Global Herbs to help support him. All was fine, he became less exuberant once off the steroids as was expected but was still enjoying himself.

However about two weeks ago I brought him in to ride and he didn't seem right- lazy, reluctant to work, stuffy and felt 'weird' behind the saddle. I thought it was the hot weather so didn't worry, gave him a couple of days off, and tried again, he was the same, in fact slightly worse, reluctant to move forward, didn't feel 100% behind. Decided to get the farrier out as he's been without back shoes since becoming unwell and thought maybe he was sore behind, farrier did sensitivity tests and said he was fine, no pain at all and back feet were in fantastic condition. He suggested giving him more time off in case he'd tweaked something.

So after a week off I got back on and he was the same, it almost feels like he is tripping behind and almost dragging his hind feet, a friend got on and got after him a bit more and he seemed better but every now and again would leave a leg behind. All the while being very lazy, almost looks footy at times.

From the ground he looks sound. He had a saddle professionally fitted last month and has had teeth, physio, farrier all within the last 6 weeks. All were fine. Last blood test was mid june and came back normal.

So what do I do, one of the signs he was ill before was being lazy in the school, but not like this. He's eating and drinking normally, but looks a bit depressed, not much enthusiasm for anything. So do I call the vet and have him re-blood tested even though it was done 3 weeks ago and everything was normal, surely if things were getting worse it would have been apparent on those bloods as he started to be odd only 1.5 weeks after the bloods?

Or do I get a chiropractor out? It's the only thing I haven't done. And part of me thinks its to do with his back, but then I'm paranoid about KS.

I have noticed he 'clicks' a lot, like when he turns around to itch his belly with his teeth you hear a series of crunches.

Well done to anyone who made it this far. I am rubbish at being concise, and wanted to make sure all information was given.
 
I think you are a little harsh at using the word lazy, as to me you are describing a horse who is not happy in himself and not going right.

I haven't a clue! Half way through I thought you might be describing ragwort poisoning. By the end I thought it was stifle trouble. You mention the farrier but has the vet been out to him in the last few days? That's where I'd be starting (again), and see what he/she says.

Chiro /MacTimoney practioners can be marvellous. Acupuncture can be great too. But I see your point - at present you are grasping at straws.

I had a horse with sacroiliac problems once who dragged his back feet a little as you describe. One could guess for ever. You need the experts.

I do hope you get some answers, and tell us how you get on.
 
Sorry cant be much help, but have you hacked him. When its hot and they feel stuffy a gentle plod along the lanes maybe nicer for him and getting out and about may give him something else to think about for a while
I know my boy can be very stuffy to start with then kind of goes ok if I have to in the school
Hope things improve
 
You've had vet, farrier, saddler and physio...
How old is he, what was his usual ridden work before he became off colour ? How fit is he ?
What is his environment like ? Does the yard, companions and his routine suit him ?

I wonder if he's a bit jaded and needs a change of ridden work. Get him hacking to improve his current fitness and introduce something a bit different to give him a bit of spark.

You could video him on the lunge and under saddle to see exactly how he's moving also.
 
Rose Folly said:
I think you are a little harsh at using the word lazy, as to me you are describing a horse who is not happy in himself and not going right.

I haven't a clue! Half way through I thought you might be describing ragwort poisoning. By the end I thought it was stifle trouble. You mention the farrier but has the vet been out to him in the last few days? That's where I'd be starting (again), and see what he/she says.

Chiro /MacTimoney practioners can be marvellous. Acupuncture can be great too. But I see your point - at present you are grasping at straws.

I had a horse with sacroiliac problems once who dragged his back feet a little as you describe. One could guess for ever. You need the experts.

I do hope you get some answers, and tell us how you get on.
Click to expand...

Sorry, it isn't fair to call him lazy, as he's clearly in pain, with him it's subtle changes like being reluctant to go forward, rather than bucking, rearing etc that means he's in pain. And with regards to ragwort, for the whole time I've owned him he's never come in contact with it. The vet's mentioned it was a possibility but think he would have been far worse if that has been the case. And yes I am clutching at straws which is so frustrating, I love him to pieces and just want him to be comfortable, and I just don't know what's best. I would call the vet, but I worry that because he's sound, and it's a case of 'feeling' that he's not right when ridden that they won't see a problem. Thanks for your reply though.
 
horserider said:
You've had vet, farrier, saddler and physio...
How old is he, what was his usual ridden work before he became off colour ? How fit is he ?
What is his environment like ? Does the yard, companions and his routine suit him ?

I wonder if he's a bit jaded and needs a change of ridden work. Get him hacking to improve his current fitness and introduce something a bit different to give him a bit of spark.

You could video him on the lunge and under saddle to see exactly how he's moving also.
Click to expand...

Yup, he's been seen by everyone. He's just turned 7. He was being ridden 4/5 times a week with variation between hacking, schooling, jumping, lunging, taking him out xc schooling, etc and was always happy and enjoying his work, then one day I bought him in and he wasn't right. He's fairly fit, always finishes with fuel left in the tank as such. He's on a quite yard and is currently out 24/7, was sharing a field with two others which he got along with, I've moved him into to his own field yesterday, as the grass was wearing thin and whilst the other ponies don't need any extra grass, he's not fat so I wanted better grazing, but he's happy as he's next to two other fields which have horses in 24/7 and isn't calling or worried about being alone. He's fed twice a day; Hi fi and pony nuts, 1/2 a scoop of each and his supplements.

And I tried taking him out for hack in case it was a case of him being bored in the school, but he was just as reluctant to move forward, as soon as I take my leg off he grinds to a halt. He also seemed more footy on a harder stony surface.
 
Oh gosh, I don't know. How does he move in the field ?
I guess laminitis is a no no, is thrush making him footy, or an abscess ?

I rate McTimoney and a couple of friends have found thermal imaging useful, other than that, I haven't a clue what else to rule out before you look at further scans and diagnosics from the vet.
 
Is it laminitis maybe? Taking the weight on the hind legs to save the front hoofs and therefore not wanting to move the hind legs because it means putting weight on the fronts? If its subtle maybe there's, nothing much to see when he's trotted up. Did the farrier check the front hoofs while he was there? I knew a pony who wasn't lame but suddenly seemed a bit stiff in general for no reason and it was laminitis fairly bad but the pony was coping with the pain well so it wasn't noticeable.
 
How can I be sure it is/isn't laminitis, the farrier tested his fronts and said there was some sensitivity, but on the outside laterals, not somewhere he'd usually associate with laminitis. And being 3/4 TB and 17hh with no extra weight on him, it would be bizarre, but I'm certainly not ruling anything out.
 
If it were my horse I'd be contacting these people: http://www.thunderbrook.co.uk/ and giving a total change of diet a go to rid his system of any toxins after his treatments and to give him a chance of a diet as close to nature, without added chemicals as possible. Then I'd take it from there. A lot of the symptoms you describe could be down to toxins and diet related stuff and you've already eliminated a lot of the other possibilities - worth a try?
 
Hi, have you tried putting him on bute/danillon for a few days to see if he has any pain, then at least you can rule that out.
 
Nothing constructive to add, but you seem like a very caring owner and I wish you and Elvis well, and hope you get to the bottom of his issues. It's sad when our beloved horses are unwell.
 
Also vet. Sounds like x-rays are needed to rule out spavins or pelvis. No way would have consider a chiro without a diagnosis first. Good luck op. Poor lad sounds uncomfortable.
 
My cob had similar symptoms - reluctance to go forward, he also adopted a wide stance with his back legs and some signs of general discomfort. He has just been diagnosed with low grade bilateral hock arthritis. My boy is 20 and I realise your horse is young for something like this but my vet said they were seeing it more and more in younger horses.
 
Welly said:
Hi, have you tried putting him on bute/danillon for a few days to see if he has any pain, then at least you can rule that out.
Click to expand...

Pain relief trails canbe a great idea but they don't rule pain but they can rule in pain because many types of pain don't respond to bute or Danilon .
In this case I would not do a bute trial unless the horse was under veterinary supervision because it has had a liver issue in the past,
 
I would be getting the vet back out and a full check over again, all it takes is a play about in the field to slip or land badly or fall and they can do all sorts to themselves.

Vet first and go from there.


Good luck, it's horrible when they can't tell us what's wrong.
 
Ditto Agree with Mrs M. My old mare felt like this at one point, turned out to be SI problem, was dealt with, no long term problems. WRT KS, better to know whatever it is. Once you know you are dealing with (KS or not), you can start to think about ways forward to resolve the issue (even KS can have good outcomes).
 
I am having similar type issues with my pony but he's 27 so not quite as unusual maybe but then neither get nor physio can find anything majorly wrong physically - yes he did have a sore back which seems to reoccur and I suspect he fell in the field at some point as he's been on and off for a year now. This is the first year he's looked old and just isn't himself. I am having bloods taken next. Has your vet mentioned anaemia to you? My horse as a youngster was anaemic and hence became pretty lethargic as a result. I supplemented him with some kossolian blood salts which really helped. I would def get a physio to check him over though re the movement issues and maybe reassess his saddle?
 
ladyt25 said:
I am having similar type issues with my pony but he's 27 so not quite as unusual maybe but then neither get nor physio can find anything majorly wrong physically - yes he did have a sore back which seems to reoccur and I suspect he fell in the field at some point as he's been on and off for a year now. This is the first year he's looked old and just isn't himself. I am having bloods taken next. Has your vet mentioned anaemia to you? My horse as a youngster was anaemic and hence became pretty lethargic as a result. I supplemented him with some kossolian blood salts which really helped. I would def get a physio to check him over though re the movement issues and maybe reassess his saddle?
Click to expand...

His red blood cell levels are fine, they've been checked with every blood test. And I did consider physio, but every time he's seen a physio, including the last time they've said there is some soreness but nothing uncommon for the level and type of work he's in. And saddle was fitted 6 weeks ago, and then re checked 3 weeks ago. All fine, and I was very careful with saddle fitting, no expense spared, and we tried tons of saddles.
 
I've called the vet, shes unavailable at the mo, but will call back. I just want him right, he's my horse of a lifetime. Thankfully if it is something that needs surgery or time off, box rest etc, he's a very easy going horse and would cope with this well. He was so sweet today, when my YM came along on the quad today to herd the sheep back into their field (escaped into the horses fields for the 1000th time) I was poo picking his field and the running sheep and quad noises obviously worried him and he came trotting over to me for cuddles :(
 
I had a horse like this years ago, he was diagnosed with wobblers (ataxia) after an MRI. Could be nothing but worth asking the vet over. My current horse has become much more willing to go forward since being on protexin acid ease too, he also had lost a lot of weight though. Amazing what a difference gut issues can make to a horses way of going with no glaringly obvious problems or anything showing on bloods!
 
I'm hoping its not anything life threatening or career ending as he really likes his work. In the short period between his liver problems and this he was really coming along and loves xc, he's only been out 3 times but is the most confident horse I've ever seen over ditches, trakheners, steps, sunken roads etc, and he's very sure footed (hoping this is a good sign re wobblers)

Spoke to vet, she's not sure so coming out to see him Tuesday.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top