Mystery Illness - even the vets are baffled! Ideas?

LizzyandToddy

LizzyandToddy

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I have posted this here rather than in the veterinary section as more people read it and I would like as many people to read as possible!...

Okay first, I'm not asking this on behalf of myself, but I have a friend who is absolutely lovely and runs a small riding school teaching kids and is very very successful! However she is rather too kind at times, and someone gave her 3 little Exmoor ponies (straight off the moors pretty much) to break in and sell on. She admits she shouldn't have done it, but she was far to kind to see them end up at Melton Sales sold to the meat man. Either way they turned up 2 weeks ago and none of them were gelded, so they have all just been castrated except one which is ill. The first pony is perfectly fine and very friendly only 2 years old and I'm sure will make a prefect children's pony. The second pony is absolutely terrified of people, but I sat and spoke gently to him, and he genuinely does want to trust people, and with time and her patience I think he will come around.

However the problem! The final pony is quite obviously 'not quite right'. He spends at least 14 hours of every day lying down whether in the field or in the stable. He stretches is neck downwards regularly, as if pointing towards discomfort, vets originally thought colic however this is not the case, neither can they find any respiration or digestive problems. He is still eating and drinking and is still in okay condition, but not looking as well as the others, something is genuinely screaming out "this is not right!!" and no one can put there finger on it, which is why I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions? Anything no matter how small is appreciated, as this little guy is quite probably, as vets have suggested, going to be PTS soon if improvements aren't made soon :( And I just think he deserves a small chance as he is so sweet, will sit and nuzzle you when lying down and all sorts.

Cookies to anyone that read all of this!!
 
he had bloods done - showed nothing out of the ordinary

I'm not sure back/neck injuries have been considered, will defiantly pass that on! thanks very much, is there anyone you would specifically recommend?
 
does sound like something bothering him in the neck area if he keeps stretching down, and perhaps laying down relieves something, other thing is could it be feet related, could the onset of feeding etc have triggered a mild lami type attack. I would possibly ask for a second opinion from a good equine vet or as NP said, perhaps it is worth investing in Bowen therapy, cheaper than a vet call out and may make all the difference but can't do any harm. Hope he comes around ok bless him!
 
If there is a suspected neck injury, then I can recomend accupuncture, worked wonders for my mare with damage just below the poll. She gave every impression of having lost the plot, difficult to handle, the lot, presumably pain response. Two sessions of accupuncture by our vet and she was back to normal, may be worth a try.
 
As others have said get a back person out

Friends horse got sent to the vets with a query of wobblers and they could not work out what was going on - bloods fine - 3 emergency call outs as well - each time the vets thought something different

Turned out he has a massive trapped nerve in his base of his neck which has caused him to stagger about and not be himself and couldn't put his head down to graze or eat!

Back person came out and drum roll - got him back into the right place - 6 weeks on still stiff on the right side but with time and lots of stretches and repeat back visits he should get more mobile!
 
Clipcloppop on here is a Bowen Therapist that covers the East Midlands, send her a PM she is very good, helpful and friendly to deal with.
 
Could be a neuro issue too.

I'd sedate him and get some x-rays of his head and neck, before you do anything else. Would at least rule out a fracture/bony changes somewhere.

Have you had him checked for ulcers?

Tell your friend that she's a star for taking them on.
 
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