Cliqmo
Well-Known Member
Hello, thank you for taking a moment to read my thread.
I wonder if you might be able to help establish what could possibly be affecting one of the horses at the livery yard?
He is a 16.1hh ISH type 8yr old gelding generally in full work, but having had the last 4-6wks on irregular work because of the snow and ice.
11-12 days ago his owner identified that he had become very stiff overnight in his stable for no apparent reason (he had not been worked the day before) so she turned him out to walk it off. He later came in from the field very reluctant to walk (almost looking tied up) and seemingly lame on every foot (he stands still lifting each leg in turn like his legs ache)
The vets were called and confirmed his pulses indicated laminitis, so he got put on a deep shavings bed on box rest and has been fed soaked hay. He was also given bute.
His legs swelled badly and after two days the vets were called back out as he seemed no better. X rays were completed (came back clear) and bloods were taken (came back without diagnosis)
On Friday the vet visited again and the horse seemed brighter in himself, not showing the 'achey leg symptoms' of previously, but still with a digital pulse. The vet switched from bute to another product (I forget the name) but it apparently only needs feeding once a day and is easier to administer. Without any other changes in routine, feed etc the horse has got much worse over the weekend and is back to standing in his box twitching his feet
The bit that has the vet stumped is that the horse is bright eyed, normal temperature, healthy coloured gums and a good appetite... his only real symptom is this muscle tenseness and digital pulse (he didn't respond to pinch tests by the farrier so doesn't even seem to have sore feet, per se)
Any advice or suggestions please?
Thanks
I wonder if you might be able to help establish what could possibly be affecting one of the horses at the livery yard?
He is a 16.1hh ISH type 8yr old gelding generally in full work, but having had the last 4-6wks on irregular work because of the snow and ice.
11-12 days ago his owner identified that he had become very stiff overnight in his stable for no apparent reason (he had not been worked the day before) so she turned him out to walk it off. He later came in from the field very reluctant to walk (almost looking tied up) and seemingly lame on every foot (he stands still lifting each leg in turn like his legs ache)
The vets were called and confirmed his pulses indicated laminitis, so he got put on a deep shavings bed on box rest and has been fed soaked hay. He was also given bute.
His legs swelled badly and after two days the vets were called back out as he seemed no better. X rays were completed (came back clear) and bloods were taken (came back without diagnosis)
On Friday the vet visited again and the horse seemed brighter in himself, not showing the 'achey leg symptoms' of previously, but still with a digital pulse. The vet switched from bute to another product (I forget the name) but it apparently only needs feeding once a day and is easier to administer. Without any other changes in routine, feed etc the horse has got much worse over the weekend and is back to standing in his box twitching his feet
The bit that has the vet stumped is that the horse is bright eyed, normal temperature, healthy coloured gums and a good appetite... his only real symptom is this muscle tenseness and digital pulse (he didn't respond to pinch tests by the farrier so doesn't even seem to have sore feet, per se)
Any advice or suggestions please?
Thanks
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