horse is suddenly acting weird, need help....

[Maxidoodle]

im happy for that vet, but she said that theres no need, but she will come if we really want, she just said that she wouldnt do much anyway

Sorry OP but this would not be an acceptable response to me. They sound extremely dismissive of you as an owner and of his obvious signs that something is wrong. It is OK to question an Opinion of a professional and seek a second opinion from somewhere else.

 

[axe1312]

what is it that i need to worry about, im worrying about generally, but im not really sure what the "bigger problem" could be. if any of you have any ideas please say, as i will mention it to the vet and to the yard owner, and keep an eye out for any other things connected.

 

[axe1312]

If they’re refusing to come out, I’m afraid they’re not the best. Hopefully someone on here can give you a recommendation.

I’m assuming you’re under 18, so need a parent’s permission to have the vet.

yes im 15. and no is believing me, im just a dramatic kid to everyone else, but i know something isnt right. just want someone to tell me whats wrong, so i can do my best to help

 

[Red-1]

I feel it is unlikely that you will be happy with this horse's condition by Thursday, so I would not delay, I would call the vet for a visit tomorrow. Vets bills are to be expected, sadly.

He was negative for Strangles last week, but that is not a guarantee that he won't have it the week after (this week). Was he transported in a commercial vehicle? Was it a single load? Was it from a dealer with many horses coming and going?

Grass glands is likely, but I have never known it affect the tongue. Grass glands would not make the back legs tremble either. Was it like a shiver or a collapse?

Did someone experienced come and view the horse with you? Could they come back and give an opinion?

Are his tetanus vaccinations up to date?

 

[nagblagger]

I wouldn't be happy for that vet not to have alarm bells. i would want a full examination including dental check for the swollen cheeks and bloods to exclude liver and kidney problems.
How long is he out in the field ?

 

[southerncomfort]

Can you take a video on your phone of the behaviour you describe?

Perhaps you could email it to the vet so they have a better idea of what is going on.

Edited to add: I have never had a vet refuse to come out. It's pretty bad form to be honest.

 

[axe1312]

So the jaw sounds like grass glands to me.

I'm surprised the vet is refusing to come out to a clearly agitated horse.

not refusing, just giving her recommendation that she isnt needed, im not a vet so weve just gone with her advice. its all we have

 

[Maxidoodle]

what is it that i need to worry about, im worrying about generally, but im not really sure what the "bigger problem" could be. if any of you have any ideas please say, as i will mention it to the vet and to the yard owner, and keep an eye out for any other things connected.

I think it’s very difficult for anyone online to offer a diagnosis, we are not in front of the horse and there seem to be a lot of different symptoms. I would urge you to speak to your parent/guardian to ask for someone else to come out, just to give a second opinion.

 

[axe1312]

I wouldn't be happy for that vet not to have alarm bells. i would want a full examination including dental check for the swollen cheeks and bloods to exclude liver and kidney problems.
How long is he out in the field ?

he is out about 7-9 hours a day

 

[axe1312]

Can you take a video on your phone of the behaviour you describe?

Perhaps you could email it to the vet so they have a better idea of what is going on.

Edited to add: I have never had a vet refuse to come out. It's pretty bad form to be honest.

that is a really good idea, thank you so much, i cant believe i didnt think of that

 

[axe1312]

I feel it is unlikely that you will be happy with this horse's condition by Thursday, so I would not delay, I would call the vet for a visit tomorrow. Vets bills are to be expected, sadly.

He was negative for Strangles last week, but that is not a guarantee that he won't have it the week after (this week). Was he transported in a commercial vehicle? Was it a single load? Was it from a dealer with many horses coming and going?

Grass glands is likely, but I have never known it affect the tongue. Grass glands would not make the back legs tremble either. Was it like a shiver or a collapse?

Did someone experienced come and view the horse with you? Could they come back and give an opinion?

Are his tetanus vaccinations up to date?

he was in a horse taxi on his own that was washed that morning. she had one other horse in her field. she had friends horses a little walk away, but they didnt go near his field. he has a shiver, he hasnt collapsed at all. my friend that owns the yard and has experience and degrees with horses, came to check him over 3 times. she said call the vet for advice, but she didnt reccomend having them come out. she said if it continues, have the vet come check him. he had his flu at tet jabs 11 days ago

 

[Maxidoodle]

he was in a horse taxi on his own that was washed that morning. she had one other horse in her field. she had friends horses a little walk away, but they didnt go near his field. he has a shiver, he hasnt collapsed at all. my friend that owns the yard and has experience and degrees with horses, came to check him over 3 times. she said call the vet for advice, but she didnt reccomend having them come out. she said if it continues, have the vet come check him. he had his flu at tet jabs 11 days ago

OP, is his temperature within a normal range?

 

[Red-1]

he was in a horse taxi on his own that was washed that morning. she had one other horse in her field. she had friends horses a little walk away, but they didnt go near his field. he has a shiver, he hasnt collapsed at all. my friend that owns the yard and has experience and degrees with horses, came to check him over 3 times. she said call the vet for advice, but she didnt reccomend having them come out. she said if it continues, have the vet come check him. he had his flu at tet jabs 11 days ago

If these were his first jabs, he won't have been covered for most of the time you have owned him and not completely even now.

The tremble, now a shiver, is it just when stepping after being still, or when picking a foot up, or is it more often?

I would take his TPR (temp/ pulse/ respiration) as something to advise the vet of.

 

[axe1312]

OP, is his temperature within a normal range?

dont have a thermometer, but i have someone coming to take his temperature tomorra first thing

 

[axe1312]

If these were his first jabs, he won't have been covered for most of the time you have owned him.

The tremble, now a shiver, is it just when stepping after being still, or when picking a foot up, or is it more often?

I would take his TPR (temp/ pulse/ respiration) as something to advise the vet of.

yesterday it was just shivering non stop for about 5-10 minutes after nothing. today it was after i put him in his stable, it seemed more severe, but only lasted a few mins.

 

[Maxidoodle]

dont have a thermometer, but i have someone coming to take his temperature tomorra first thing

It’s a very useful thing to get for your kit box. This is a really helpful sheet from BHS, I used to have it on My tack room door. https://www.bwequinevets.co.uk/uplo...ration_Parameters_in_Adult_Horses_UD_2018.pdf

 

[Red-1]

yesterday it was just shivering non stop for about 5-10 minutes after nothing. today it was after i put him in his stable, it seemed more severe, but only lasted a few mins.

Shivering as in cold, as in along his back, or shivering as in one leg?

 

[axe1312]

Shivering as in cold, as in along his back, or shivering as in one leg?

one leg, couldnt see the other side to see his other leg, he didnt want anyone in his stable. the yard owner went in cuz she dont care if shes kicked, and he was very fussy, and bit her

 

[Maxidoodle]

OP,

one leg, couldnt see the other side to see his other leg, he didnt want anyone in his stable. the yard owner went in cuz she dont care if shes kicked, and he was very fussy, and bit her

oP, I’m sorry I would be getting the vet out urgently. Would you be able to show this thread to your parent/guardian, in Support of getting another vet out asap.

 

[PurBee]

My first thoughts are that the paddocks soil and grass type/quality and hay of the new yard will likely be different to what he was eating 2 weeks ago at old yard. It takes about 2 weeks for the body to adjust to dietary changes, and so i suspect the grazing/hay is having an effect and taking some adjustment.

Tremors, being skittish, and tired/lethargy are all common symptoms of potassium excess, which can be caused by sudden days of rains followed by lush growth of grass.
If it was that i’d expect the other horses on the yard to be equally behaviourally changed, IF theyre all grazing in same type of fields. (It would be worse for 1 horse to be in a paddock at the bottom of a slope for instance, where rain run-off collects and drenches the soil, causing much more lusher growth)

That combined with jaw swelling, sounding like grass glands, indicating some kind of allergy response, has me wondering about the paddock.

You vet sounds dismissive. I’d ring another personally.

If he’s been in the same paddock all this time, i’d try moving to a different paddock, if you can. Is the hay quality nice and fresh, or bleached and musty? Moulds from hays give gut ache, pawing at the ground can be a sign of gut distress, aswell as cause immune flare-up, potentially causing ‘grass glands’.

But as he has a cluster of very obvious ‘theres a problem’ symptoms, i’d be talking to mum about having a 2nd opinion vet to call who’ll actually come out and assess in person.
It’s impossible to tell you what it really could be, and just give possible causes...which for horses, are numerous! Hope you find a good vet to help

 

[Gloi]

I hope he's alright and you find out what is wrong soon. It's scary when you don't know what is wrong and who you can get support from.

 

[Red-1]

OP, it could be anything.

Shivers... https://ceh.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/shivers

Tetanus... https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/horse-care/vet-advice/tetanus-in-horses-85521

Equine influenza... https://www.bhs.org.uk/horse-care-a...orse-health/equine-diseases/equine-influenza/

Grass glands... https://holistichorse.com/health-care/grass-glands-similar-to-strangles-but-not-as-serious/

Strangles... https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/horse-care/vet-advice/strangles-in-horses-305828

Stringhalt... https://ceh.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/stringhalt-equine-reflex-hypertonia

Broken tooth/jaw infection... https://equimed.com/health-centers/dental-care/articles/dental-abscesses-in-horses

Or colic.. https://www.bhs.org.uk/horse-care-a...anagement/horse-health/equine-diseases/colic/

Or poisoning... https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandw...our horses stay away from potential poisons:

Or simply cold.

Or simply feeling insecure from moving to a new home.

Or many other things.

Only a vet will be able to tell you.

 

[Melody Grey]

Or….a virus potentially

 

[greysfordays]

I'm sorry that you feel that you're not being taken seriously, it's difficult at your age Is there any way you could take a video to send to your vet or an even better solution would your parents be willing to change to another vet? I'm not too experienced but the shivering in one leg sounded hugely concerning.

 

[Zoeypxo]

What type of horse is it? Age ? Was he/she vetted at the time of purchase ?

I would just ring the vet tomorrow and say you want a full examination , how does your mum feel ?

 

[axe1312]

I’d be getting the vet out asap, given the time it’s been since he started acting differently. Hope you can get to the bottom of it asap.

we spoke to the vet an

Or….a virus potentially

what type? could he have flu and just no be coughing?

 

[Mrs C]

Is there any sycamores in the fields?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Have you changed his feed from what he was having at his previous home? A lot of his behaviours/symptoms sound like an allergic reaction to me and if he is OK in the morning but going 'off' again towards evening, that also sounds food related.
I would want a vet to actually look at him but I would also stop feeding him any bucket feed until what he has been eating with you is out of his system.

 

[axe1312]

What type of horse is it? Age ? Was he/she vetted at the time of purchase ?

I would just ring the vet tomorrow and say you want a full examination , how does your mum feel ?

irish sports horse, normally very chilled, but likes to be worked. he is 14 and a gelding. mum is taking the vets advice to not have a visit, as she doesnt just want to waste £200 is its nothing. so we waiting a day or 2, to see if it goes down on its own.

 

[axe1312]

Is there any sycamores in the field

there are no trees or plants in the field. only a weird metal thing in the middle.