Help! Box rest lami won't eat/drink!

[noblesteed]

Also posted in veterinary.

Does anyone have any ideas about how to get my horsey to drink? Farrier diagnosed the onset of low grade lami as horse was footy and there was digital pulse, and said box rest 10 days to prevent it turning serious. We are on day 5 and horse is now refusing to eat his 12 hour soaked hay and not drinking his water. He looks quite depressed His poo is hard and small and he isn't weeing much either, so now worrying about colic too!!!!

Any ideas on what to do? Could it be something else? He has gut noises, pink gums etc. I tried adding apple juice to water just now and he turned his nose up though I have left it for him in case he decides to try it. I bought those hores Quenchers to try later on. He is going to have some veg oil added to some chaff later as well to try and get guts moving.

Would it be a good idea to try him on A & P Fast Fibre? The feed merchant thought it may help? Or is it a bad idea with lami?

I am really struggling as I have a newborn baby to look after and can't get up the farm at the drop of a hat, thankfully I have 2 people looking after horse. But I am worried sick!!!!

 

[Sparkles]

What's the vet said?

I'd personally be inclined to get bloods done.

Vibes to both of you. I hate lami.

 

[joeanne]

Perhaps Timothy horsehage would be a better option?
It will certainly smell more appealing than soaked hay if he is being picky.
And add something like apple juice to flavour his water. You can get the sugar free stuff just go easy with it. You only need a splash in a bucket, dont make it up like you would for a person.

 

[Slightly Foxed]

Is he having any hard feed like high fibre cubes? If so, soak them until they're like sloppy porridge, he may just take that. Agree, thought, I'd get the vet's advice and maybe bloods done.

 

[Supertrooper]

Firstly speak to vet, they have seen your pony so will be able to advise you best what he can/can't have.

When my girl had lami and I was concerned re poo I called them and they gave me advice over phone. In her case it was to add Epsom salts to feed to encourage her to drink. I'd give them a call, mention the fast fibre as most like it, it's very, very low calorie and you can make it as sloppy as you want.

Good luck, I know your pain xx

 

[Sparkles]

Has he had any pain relief too? If not, then it could be pain related fasting? Sorry, might seem like a dumb question as sure he's probably had some for it.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Farrier diagnosed the onset of low grade lami as horse was footy and there was digital pulse,QUOTE]

Um, obviously your farrier was being vigilant here, and personally I'd rather trust a farrier's opinion than a vet's with regard to anything to do with feet, BUT TBH a vet is the only person who should be "diagnosing" a serious condition like laminitis.

A vet will need to take some x-rays/measurements etc to ascertain if there's any pedal bone rotation etc., and may prescribe some bute if necessary.

Get the vet out PDQ; don't delay. Sorry to frighten you, but anyone that's had experience of laminitis like I have would have got the vet out by now. Laminitis is a serious condition and you could lose your horse if not treated correctly & promptly by a vet.

 

[noblesteed]

Yes I know exactly what the vet will say!!!! Trouble is I don't trust them as much as my farrier... So I tend to use him as first call and vet second. Last year horse had what turned out to be a bruised sole (found by farrier) - I got vet first whose first question was 'is he insured?' and was told xrays, bloods, nerve blocks etc were needed and he was booked into equine hospital within the week... Farrier came out and said the vet was talking rubbish, did a bit of poking about and found the bruise.

So my plan was to wait til farrier has been out again this week and then if he thinks there's no improvement then get the vet out.

It's so hard to know what to do for the best! Personally I think horse is turning his nose up at the soaked hay, he is SUCH a fussy eater it's ridiculous. But I am so worried about the colic risk I might ring the vet in the morning and have a chat with them. Maybe if I lie and say horse ISN"T insured they might talk sensibly to me!!!!

 

[Wishful]

If not eating, also risk of hypolipaemia, which is generally not good news (and can be related to laminitis). Definitely call the vet and check.

 

[BlackRider]

Sloppy unmolassed sugar beet can also be a good way of getting liquids into the horse.

I also agree though it could be pain related too, so prob worth a quick chat with your vet.

 

[Sparkles]

With lami regardless, I'd be getting the vet out asap. If you don't trust your vet, then use another!

You need him on pain meds at least. If he's in pain, his appetite is going to be affected, hence my post. Hopefully it is just this.

If not, I'd be wanting the bloods done asap to get an overview of what's going on inside and organ related, as well as x-rays now and a few weeks on.

 

[MurphysMinder]

I would be concerned about hyperlipemia too, it can be linked to laminitis. Many years ago I lost a pony with laminitis when she stopped eating, looking back I think this was probably what caused it. I would definitely speak to your vet and tell them the horse isn't eating.

 

[rockysmum]

Another for ringing the vet.

I also trust our farrer with anything foot related.

BUT this isn't foot related. There is something seriously wrong if your horse is not eating or drinking.

As for low calorie and temping to eat as well as getting some fluids in, I would try an old fashioned bran mash (obviously with the vets agreement)

Also gets their insides moving

 

[Janesomerset]

Our fussy lami-prone pony loves sloppy Speedibeet. He doesn't have it every day, but it might tempt yours to eat. Maybe someone would have a handful you could try, just to see? It only takes 10 to 15 minutes to soak.

 

[AmyMay]

Your horse may not be eating because he is in pain.

You need the vet, and of you don't trust the one you're currently using change.

 

[AmyMay]

In addition any farrier worth its salt would tell you to get the vet.

 

[suestowford]

I agree about pain.
Mine was like yours, refusing to eat or drink. This was when he was recovering from laminitis and we had gradually cut off his Bute, on vet's instructions. So he'd no pain killers in his system by then and just refused to eat one day. The vet came out and said that although the inflammation had gone from his feet he was probably feeling a bit sore still so gave us more Bute.
Really, if I were you I wouldn't wait. I'd get the vet and get some Bute. Hope your pony is feeling better soon.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Yes I know exactly what the vet will say!!!! Trouble is I don't trust them as much as my farrier... So I tend to use him as first call and vet second.

Yep, know what you're saying here. I had exactly the same problem with my old boy; farrier knew his stuff and I trusted him implicitly - and vet was a pompous Pr@t and was obnoxious to farrier which wound everyone up.

So ..... I changed vets. Asked farrier who he would recommend and we changed all the animals over to a new vet who was actually INTERESTED in summinck worth less than ten grand, and haven't looked back.

If you don't trust/can't stand your current vet, then change. For your horse's sake. Simples.

 

[Sparkles]

ETA - deleted

 

[EllenJay]

Don't soak your hay for 12 hours - really bad for bacteria. It would be better if you steamed for 10 mins. That will get rid of the sugars and is load more appitising.

 

[xXMrsIrishXx]

Don't soak your hay for 12 hours - really bad for bacteria. It would be better if you steamed for 10 mins. That will get rid of the sugars and is load more appitising.

How does steaming hay get rid of the sugar from hay? We have a lami prone pony and have always soaked our hay over night and then rinsed with clean water before feeding. Steaming will only remove the dust spores not the sugar

 

[EllenJay]

How does steaming hay get rid of the sugar from hay? We have a lami prone pony and have always soaked our hay over night and then rinsed with clean water before feeding. Steaming will only remove the dust spores not the sugar

No - new scientific research shows that the sugars are leached from the hay within 20 mins. Other nutrients take longer, but sugars go very quickly.

 

[noblesteed]

If thats the case then I will try hay soaked for just 20 mins in the morning, and see if he eats that. He is very interested in his neighbours hay... I think maybe I will ask around for a new vets too, there is another one that is very good but not sure if we are out of their region.

 

[EllenJay]

Soaked hay is not as good as steamed hay. To steam hay allyou need is a kettle full of hot water, a dustbin (with a lid). Put hay net into dustbin. pour in boiling water, put dustbin lid on and leave for 20 mins.

Result - sugars gone and tasty hay.

This doesn't get rid of all nutrients, but does get rid of sugars.

 

[xXMrsIrishXx]

Soaked hay is not as good as steamed hay. To steam hay allyou need is a kettle full of hot water, a dustbin (with a lid). Put hay net into dustbin. pour in boiling water, put dustbin lid on and leave for 20 mins.

Result - sugars gone and tasty hay.

This doesn't get rid of all nutrients, but does get rid of sugars.

How does STEAMING get rid of the sugars? Im interested as would save me soaking my hay in that case!

 

[juliette]

I would also recommend Epsom salts and sloppy bran mash. both used very successful for pony with lami who is prone to compaction colic. If they have hard pellet droppings they need this sooner rather than later.

 

[tallyho!]

Have to agree with everyone who said reduce time of soaked hay.

12 hours?!?

Can you imagine how stinky that's would be? 30 mins is the max you need to soak hay for. Sugar leaches out pretty quick... Just see how quickly sugar dissolves in cold water.

Magnesium is good.

 

[noblesteed]

Thanks everyone.

Soaking the hay for less time defo got him eating! And Quenchers made him want to drink, with a bit of weak beety water and soupy chaff, so he is pooing etc properly again... phew!!!! He is also desperate to get out of his stable now so clearly not feeling particularly ill... he's normally quite a wimp!
Feet seem loads better after a week in, farrier coming in a couple of days and if not better will see vet.

 

[ThePony]

Thanks everyone.

Soaking the hay for less time defo got him eating! And Quenchers made him want to drink, with a bit of weak beety water and soupy chaff, so he is pooing etc properly again... phew!!!! He is also desperate to get out of his stable now so clearly not feeling particularly ill... he's normally quite a wimp!
Feet seem loads better after a week in, farrier coming in a couple of days and if not better will see vet.

Glad he's sounding better. Just to note though that quenchers have molasses in. Sure no harm as a one off but if you are needing them daily to keep him drinking then it is worth knowing!

 

[AmyMay]

Glad he's rating and drinking now. Rather shocked though that he's received no veterinary attention.