Horse post renal failure feeding

[visa_bot]

Hello. My horse is just recovering from acute renal failure following on from a reaction to the drugs given in a laparoscopic ovariectomy.

She has lost a lot of weight and I need to get calories into her. The other issue is that she has EMS and recovered from a life threatening bout of laminitis last year. She therefore needs a diet low in sugar, starch and protein.

The problem I have is that what she used to eat with gusto, she is just turning her nose up. She will eat grass, hay and haylage, but I am struggling with bucket feed. I have supplements to give her but she won’t eat them. I have added chopped mint but it has made no difference. I have tried a handful of horse and pony cubes. I may need to allow a slightly higher level of sugar/starch but I was looking for any suggestions on foods that your horses love.

I have seen agrobs grun hafer, has anybody tried this?

Any advice welcome.

 

[Trouper]

Please do talk to Trinity Consultants. She has been through so much she may need supplementing in a way which is not just through feed content. They are extremely knowledgeable and helpful folk - particularly in suggestions for convalescent horses.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I have had acute renal failure myself and it was very painful. Is she on painkillers? It took me a while to feel normal after my kidneys started to work again.

 

[visa_bot]

I have had acute renal failure myself and it was very painful. Is she on painkillers? It took me a while to feel normal after my kidneys started to work again.

That is good to know, she was definitely in pain before her intensive care at the vets, she is now visibly more comfortable but could have other less obvious discomfort. As she is eating grass and forage I won't panic yet. Unfortunately, one of the side effects is that she can no longer have any NSAIDs.

 

[visa_bot]

Thank you Trouper . I probably should have said that I have already had an independent equine nutritionist formulate a diet for her, but the problem is she won't eat it. So I need a way to make it more tasty even if it means veering slightly away from the strictness. Diet was Honeychop Lite and Healthy, speedibeet and linseed oil for the calories. Supplemented with Vitamin E and a general vitamin mineral supplement. It's the fact that she isn't getting her vits and mins that is concerning me.

 

[SKM90]

I found adding fenugreek to be a huge help in getting a pony, who previously wouldn't take anything from a bucket, to eat.

 

[ester]

Much as I know you also want her to get her supplements am wondering whether in order to also get the calories in for gaining some weight back it might be worth having separate feeds?
And/or trying a pelleted vit/min option?
I generally rate agrobs options for palatability.