scats
Well-Known Member
Hearts Destiny was put to sleep due to a metabolic condition they couldn’t control. Proof that it isn’t just fat, unworked natives that are susceptible.
Hollows above eyes squishy?
- Thread starter Horsegirl25
- Start date
Hearts Destiny was put to sleep due to a metabolic condition they couldn’t control. Proof that it isn’t just fat, unworked natives that are susceptible.
PinkvSantaboots
Well-Known Member
Alot of warmbloods get ems or insulin issues I've known quite a few plus I had one that had ems and cushings and I lost her to laminitis 
Glitter's fun
Well-Known Member
Happens to the best of us.
What doesn't always happen is that owner is on the ball, notices early signs and acts on them. Well done & hope you get it sorted easily.
V&F
Active Member
This might be a silly question but are smaller native types less likely to have defined eye sockets?
My pair of 13h native ponies both have puffy eye sockets currently when there heads are down grazing, less puffy when there heads are up (watching them like a hawk also!) both diagnosed with EMS last year, both muzzled on poor grazing during the day and in on soaked hay at night. Last blood tests done in May and insulin levels were all good, doing well with weight etc
I’ve looked at photos from the last 10-15 years and neither have ever really had defined eye sockets even in summer, when they were both young and not metabolically challenged? Specially in winter as both get very fluffy thick coats
My pair of 13h native ponies both have puffy eye sockets currently when there heads are down grazing, less puffy when there heads are up (watching them like a hawk also!) both diagnosed with EMS last year, both muzzled on poor grazing during the day and in on soaked hay at night. Last blood tests done in May and insulin levels were all good, doing well with weight etc
I’ve looked at photos from the last 10-15 years and neither have ever really had defined eye sockets even in summer, when they were both young and not metabolically challenged? Specially in winter as both get very fluffy thick coats
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Horsegirl25
Well-Known Member
Morning all, phoned the vets when they opened this morning and they had space to fit him in today for bloods which is amazing!
Will keep you all posted when the results are back
Will keep you all posted when the results are back
Zoeypxo
Well-Known Member
Mine had big squishy eyes last year, i tested for cushings she was borderline so is on one prascend a day and is now back to normal
Fransurrey
Well-Known Member
You've done all the right things, so don't feel deflated. Lots of people would ignore this and pay the price. I would have also put his muzzle back on and if you're worried about him losing more weight, put soaked hay down. My old boy used to pull it through like spaghetti, so was kept occupied AND fed. I managed my EMS pony for 10 years after he had a mild laminitic attack, so don't worry too much. You're clearly already on it with management!
Horsegirl25
Well-Known Member
The vet has been and honestly I am feeling no more reassured… the first thing she said was that she had never seen this before and wasn’t sure what it was.
It wasn’t our usual vet sadly but bloods have been taken so we shall wait on the results.
It wasn’t our usual vet sadly but bloods have been taken so we shall wait on the results.
JenJ
Well-Known Member
Don't worry too much about what they said - the bloods will tell you if it's linked to insulin
Horsegirl25
Well-Known Member
Hi everyone, just had the vet on the phone so thought I would do a wee post to tie everything together.
His bloods have came back normal, no sign of EMS or anything going on inside which is brilliant. She still wasn't entirely sure about the pockets above his eyes, could either be fluid or something to do with the change of grass with the weather we have had.
I am just going to keep doing what I am doing anyway muzzle/diet wise just for peace of mind.
Thank you all again for taking time to comment and share your experiences, it has really been so helpful and prompted me to book bloods rather than hum and haw over what it may be.
His bloods have came back normal, no sign of EMS or anything going on inside which is brilliant. She still wasn't entirely sure about the pockets above his eyes, could either be fluid or something to do with the change of grass with the weather we have had.
I am just going to keep doing what I am doing anyway muzzle/diet wise just for peace of mind.
Thank you all again for taking time to comment and share your experiences, it has really been so helpful and prompted me to book bloods rather than hum and haw over what it may be.
SEL
Well-Known Member
It could well be something along the lines of grass glands - they can look really odd when they swell up.
With the weather all over the place I think the muzzle is sensible anyway.
The advantage of having some bloods taken is you have a baseline now for anything in the future.
Aperchristmas
Well-Known Member
Well that is a relief and I'm sure the cost of running the bloods is worth the peace of mind. Are his eyes still puffy or are they going down now?
HappyHollyDays
Slave to a house cat, 4 yard cats and 2 ponies
Glad his bloods are all within range and you can rule out EMS.
Horsegirl25
Well-Known Member
Lol I didn't even ask about the cost, never ran bloods on a horse before so that will be a nice surprise. Was 100% worth it tho as I am a worrier.
They are still puffy but only when his head is down, go down after exercise and no difference in them on or off the grass.. I have been analyzing all the other horses on the yard when they are in the fields grazing lol, some have it too some don't.
dorsetladette
Well-Known Member
We moved ours onto the winter fields a couple of weeks ago for a few reasons (acorns, no grass, fencing). Yesterday OH needed to work in the winter side so we popped them back across the other side for a day. This morning I've noticed Ben's got swollen bits above his eye sockets. I think this due to the sugar in the rested grass as we've had a few days of warm wet weather. I'll be keeping an eye and hope it goes down in a day or two now they are back on the longer stalky grass.
ILuvCowparsely
Well-Known Member
Don't worry too much, my boys did this firm swellings then one day they were gone and never returned, but keep check on them.
Horsegirl25
Well-Known Member
Thanks guys. It must be something to do with the grass as literally nothing in his routine has changed. Strange. I am still being cautious with muzzle/steeping hay just to be on the safe side.