Albus15
Active Member
Hello,
I love reading posts from this forum, so while I’m going through this situation, I thought I would join to just get my thoughts out in writing. I am in consultation with my vet, however waiting for blood results until the morning seems a bit daunting.
My 9yo Warmblood was put onto a scarce paddock with a few other horses to keep his weight in control. This was roughly 1 month ago. During examination, the vet didn’t comment on the length of grass and said his weight is currently just right. He is out 24/7 so doesn’t eat any hay.
He was then put out onto a larger paddock with his usual herd (Which he was with previously for 7 months on good grass) and in the morning, came in slightly sweaty, acting as if he had been sedated. My usually playful (not hot or sharp), excited about life boy now looked exhausted, couldn’t hold his head up. He was slightly dehydrated. He was monitored throughout the day, but stayed the same. Had a wee and some poos but wasn’t too interested in any hay when usually he would be.
He was then turned out, lied down flat out like a pancake, but then stumbled his way up. I panicked about colic, brought him in to find him very dehydrated and rang my vet. In the meantime, we started syringing water into him. He was monitored for a further 7 hours, however didn’t display any other behaviours that would indicate colic.
He ate a bit of hay, was pooing okay, nothing to indicate any stomach area problems, however still looked like he only had enough energy to stay stood up. He spent the majority of the time in the corner, staring at the wall. Overnight he had a few poos and wees, and a lie down as his back and tail were caked in straw.
He had slightly perked up by the morning, but was still no where near his usual self.
Then, In the afternoon, the vet came out for examination. His examination said that his heart rate, breathing and temperature were all fine, and it wasn’t colic, however the horse looked jaundiced. His eyes were slightly yellow toned and his gums pale, as well as being incredibly dull and out of character. He took a full blood profile. Hopefully results will come tomorrow morning, and we will go from there.
In the meantime, I’ve read almost every article anout jaundiced horses, liver failures, biopsies etc.
Has anyone experienced anything similar with their horses?
What were the causes, symptoms and outcomes?
Or based on the above, what would be your thought process?
Am I potentially looking at poisoning or liver problems, or is there anything else that could cause him to be jaundiced?
Does anyone know any of the costs associated with treatments, liver biopsies, anything else I haven’t considered?
Also, does anyone have any ideas in terms of recovery?
I appreciate that without the blood test results all anyone can do is speculate, and of course it goes without saying that the horse will get any care that it needs as per the vets recommendations.
I love reading posts from this forum, so while I’m going through this situation, I thought I would join to just get my thoughts out in writing. I am in consultation with my vet, however waiting for blood results until the morning seems a bit daunting.
My 9yo Warmblood was put onto a scarce paddock with a few other horses to keep his weight in control. This was roughly 1 month ago. During examination, the vet didn’t comment on the length of grass and said his weight is currently just right. He is out 24/7 so doesn’t eat any hay.
He was then put out onto a larger paddock with his usual herd (Which he was with previously for 7 months on good grass) and in the morning, came in slightly sweaty, acting as if he had been sedated. My usually playful (not hot or sharp), excited about life boy now looked exhausted, couldn’t hold his head up. He was slightly dehydrated. He was monitored throughout the day, but stayed the same. Had a wee and some poos but wasn’t too interested in any hay when usually he would be.
He was then turned out, lied down flat out like a pancake, but then stumbled his way up. I panicked about colic, brought him in to find him very dehydrated and rang my vet. In the meantime, we started syringing water into him. He was monitored for a further 7 hours, however didn’t display any other behaviours that would indicate colic.
He ate a bit of hay, was pooing okay, nothing to indicate any stomach area problems, however still looked like he only had enough energy to stay stood up. He spent the majority of the time in the corner, staring at the wall. Overnight he had a few poos and wees, and a lie down as his back and tail were caked in straw.
He had slightly perked up by the morning, but was still no where near his usual self.
Then, In the afternoon, the vet came out for examination. His examination said that his heart rate, breathing and temperature were all fine, and it wasn’t colic, however the horse looked jaundiced. His eyes were slightly yellow toned and his gums pale, as well as being incredibly dull and out of character. He took a full blood profile. Hopefully results will come tomorrow morning, and we will go from there.
In the meantime, I’ve read almost every article anout jaundiced horses, liver failures, biopsies etc.
Has anyone experienced anything similar with their horses?
What were the causes, symptoms and outcomes?
Or based on the above, what would be your thought process?
Am I potentially looking at poisoning or liver problems, or is there anything else that could cause him to be jaundiced?
Does anyone know any of the costs associated with treatments, liver biopsies, anything else I haven’t considered?
Also, does anyone have any ideas in terms of recovery?
I appreciate that without the blood test results all anyone can do is speculate, and of course it goes without saying that the horse will get any care that it needs as per the vets recommendations.
thank you all for your lovely comments and support!