He's lost his appetite :(

Love

Love

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Normally when I go to see my boy he has polished off every last strand off haylage, and will dive on even a single strand if he sees one on the way to the turnout, but the past 2 days he has been leaving about a quarter of his net, morning and night. He has a blocked tear duct and is being fitted with a lavage system on Tuesday to clear that up, could it be something to do with this, making him feel grotty etc? Also do you reckon I need to call the vet out tomorrow about the loss of appetite or wether it will be ok until Tuesday morning when they come anyway? His teeth are well within date and he seems happy in himself, maybe slightly subdued but no major behaviour changes.

Just after some reassurance and theories really :( they do make us worry these horses!
 
If he seems happy in himself I wouldn't worry to much. Easyer said than done I know. If it was me I would probably phone the vet tom and see what they think. I wouldn't call them out just call to discuss and see what they think.
I have no expereance with blocked tearducts so can't say if it could be connected sorry.
I hope he feels better soon and is back to his old self quickly. I own greedy ponies and would probably panic to if they went off there food ;) ((((((((hugs)))))))))) to you. xx
 
Personally I think loss of appetite in a usually greedy horse is a sign of something seriously wrong....unless its different hay or something and there is something in it that they don't like . I would get the vet in sooner myself, have you taken temp/ listened to gut sounds etc ?
 
I would get the vet out, but I do anyway if I notice anything different in the horses. However, I would say that my very piggy horses who eat every morsel of every single thing they can find, have left their hay in their field for a little while now as the grass is coming through. There isn't much that I can see, but obviously what they are having in the daytime is keeping them happy.
 
Shy sounds like your pony, and if he ever started leaving his grub, i would have him seen by the vet. I think the eating instinct in horses is so strong, that if they lose it, it must be worth checking out.

Let us know what happens - and with the tear duct (and indeed if they are connected).
 
Thank you for the replies, will ring the vets first thing and see what they say. It's not like his appetite is totally gone, he still goes mad for his net when he gets it, etc, hes just leaving some.
Will keep you all posted re his lavage system etc
 
Do you weigh his haylage? If not is it possible you are stuffing more in there and he's just had enough? Tbh, follow your instincts and I'd be inclined to call the vet if mine was a bit off from her usual self. Better to be safe than sorry imo and I hope he's OK :)
 
The only other thing I can think of is the first day he left the haylage, and the days after I didn't throw it out I left it in for him. If it is, like some say, that it just smells a bit different then it might just be the same bit he's leaving each time?

Ill totally get rid of all leftover tomorrow then see what happens. Still ring the vet though just to be sure.
 
Doriangrey - no I don't, that is a good point! The only thing is he's not normally the sort to get "full"... Unless he's suddenly changed his mind! Lol
 
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