Mystery illness - stiff hind legs, fast pulse

[Wagtail]

I am very worried about a horse. We have the vet coming either later today or tomorrow morning, but I do not have full trust in vets, especially with less common afflictions and so want to tap the wealth of knowledge on this forum to ensure I get the right tests done. Firstly, he has a respiratory infection, sticky yellow discharge, slight swelling around throat and fast pulse. I am not too worried about this as he has COPD and is allergic to many things including pollen and the rape is in full bloom ATM. Obviously, though he will need to be swabbed. No horses have been in contact with any others for over a year however and my horse had exactly the same two years ago, but worse, and his was found to be due to allergy to the oil seed rape.

But the thing concerning me more, is that at the time of onset of his symptoms, he was extremely lethargic and very short stepping behind. Over the past two days he has looked more and more uncomfortable and stiff behind and frequently snaps up his hind legs as though through discomfort. He is eating well, but looks 'worried'. I did think about laminitis, but they are on a small strip of grass that is well eaten down and have been so for nearly 4 weeks. There is no heat or pulses in any of the feet.

Any ideas? I will ask for bloods to be done to check for virus, swab of the mucus, anything else? Thanks.

 

[Tinsel Trouble]

Have you taken a temperature? That will give you a better idea if he is fighting an infection, or just has an allergic reaction.

 

[Wagtail]

Have you taken a temperature? That will give you a better idea if he is fighting an infection, or just has an allergic reaction.

No, unfortunately my thermometer has stopped working.

 

[Tinsel Trouble]

Ok... my first thought was if he's feeling under the weather has he hunched up and made his back stiff? This would affect the hind leg action.

 

[Wagtail]

Ok... my first thought was if he's feeling under the weather has he hunched up and made his back stiff? This would affect the hind leg action.

He does look a little hunched up. Also he has always been a bit 'clicky' behind and it is markedly worse since the onset of his symptoms.

 

[*hic*]

Grass sickness?

 

[paulineh]

Due to this sudden hot weather has he toyed up a bit.

I have seen horses tye up for no reason. If he is touchy when you touch his hind quarters and the muscles feel tight this would suggest a real muscle problem.

Have you given him any Bute and some electrolytes.

Is he drinking well. When he moves does he look very stiff behind.

 

[touchstone]

I'd go with tying up as well.

 

[Taffyhorse]

Tying up/Azoturia was my first thought too - although I thought the onset of that was pretty rapid (I've only seen rapid cases though) and this sounds more prolonged.

 

[Wagtail]

Grass sickness?

I don't think so as he's eating really well.

 

[racebuddy]

hi could be a number of things , iwould be more inclined to get vet involved today as oppose to tommorrow better to early than to late , is there any improvement to yeasterday any new signs ? xx

 

[Wagtail]

Due to this sudden hot weather has he toyed up a bit.

I have seen horses tye up for no reason. If he is touchy when you touch his hind quarters and the muscles feel tight this would suggest a real muscle problem.

Have you given him any Bute and some electrolytes.

Is he drinking well. When he moves does he look very stiff behind.

No, we have not had him on bute or given electrolytes. When he moves his hind legs are very short stepping and jerky.

I'd go with tying up as well.

Tying up/Azoturia was my first thought too - although I thought the onset of that was pretty rapid (I've only seen rapid cases though) and this sounds more prolonged.

Interesting. He was worked hard on Friday and it was very hot. But I didn't particularly notice anything until he came to be ridden on Tuesday. But then all I was doing was feeding and checking them twice a day and a few hours poo picking. He did seem rather nervous on Sunday, but was moving okay.

 

[Wagtail]

hi could be a number of things , iwould be more inclined to get vet involved today as oppose to tommorrow better to early than to late , is there any improvement to yeasterday any new signs ? xx

Owner was happy to wait and see yesterday, but when I fed him this morning (he is out 24/7) I noticed that his stiffness had got worse and was very marked. I contacted the owner suggesting she call the vet. But she is working all day and said she would do her best to get him here today.

 

[touchstone]

No, we have not had him on bute or given electrolytes. When he moves his hind legs are very short stepping and jerky.





Interesting. He was worked hard on Friday and it was very hot. But I didn't particularly notice anything until he came to be ridden on Tuesday. But then all I was doing was feeding and checking them twice a day and a few hours poo picking. He did seem rather nervous on Sunday, but was moving okay.

Tying up can happen after a respiratory illness too.

 

[Wagtail]

Tying up can happen after a respiratory illness too.

Ah, that would make sense then. He's a lovely boy. Hope it's something as simple as that.

 

[Pixxie]

Definitely sounds like he's tied up to me too poor boy

 

[Marydoll]

Tying up can happen after a respiratory illness too.

Agree with this, and if he worked hard the other day he might not have been oxyginating his muscles properly if his resp system was comprimised showing up as stiffness soon after

 

[AmyMay]

No, unfortunately my thermometer has stopped working.

Pop to the chemist and get one so you check his temp, and I'd be inclined to ensure the vet is out today.

My money would be on kidney or liver function or a virulent viral infection. Either way, from what you describe I'd say it was verging on emergency.

 

[Surreydeb]

Tying up is an emergency and he should be in on complete rest with appropriate drugs from vet to help any further muscle damage if this is what he has. Have you seen him peeing? What colour is it? If very dark it really is an emergency.

 

[Wagtail]

Definitely sounds like he's tied up to me too poor boy

Yes, I am really fond of this gelding. He is a sweetheart. Hope he's going to be all right.

Agree with this, and if he worked hard the other day he might not have been oxyginating his muscles properly if his resp system was comprimised showing up as stiffness soon after

Yes, this is all making sense. Good old HHO.

Pop to the chemist and get one so you check his temp, and I'd be inclined to ensure the vet is out today.

My money would be on kidney or liver function or a virulent viral infection. Either way, from what you describe I'd say it was verging on emergency.

He has had a severe liver infection in the past, so will get vet to test for this too, thanks. Just heard he is coming this morning.

 

[AmyMay]

Brilliant.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[Wagtail]

Tying up is an emergency and he should be in on complete rest with appropriate drugs from vet to help any further muscle damage if this is what he has. Have you seen him peeing? What colour is it? If very dark it really is an emergency.

Problem is all the horses are out 24/7 and he stresses coming in on his own. I could make him a small pen in the paddock. Bless him.

 

[AmyMay]

Problem is all the horses are out 24/7 and he stresses coming in on his own. I could make him a small pen in the paddock. Bless him.

Or bring him in with a friend?

 

[paulineh]

There are a number of reasons a horse types up and stress can be on of them.

It does not always show up straight away.

I have an Arab mare that tends to become stiff if not watched. So far the reasons have been
1) Stress
2) a virus
3) change of weather
4) Washing down after work - in warm weather.
5) A pulled muscle from a slip in the field.

Does he still have a fast pulse rate this would be an indication of pain.

I would have had th vet out straight away an also talk to him on the phone.

 

[Wagtail]

There are a number of reasons a horse types up and stress can be on of them.

It does not always show up straight away.

I have an Arab mare that tends to become stiff if not watched. So far the reasons have been
1) Stress
2) a virus
3) change of weather
4) Washing down after work - in warm weather.
5) A pulled muscle from a slip in the field.

Does he still have a fast pulse rate this would be an indication of pain.

I would have had th vet out straight away an also talk to him on the phone.

Vet is coming out in the next hour, thankfully.

 

[Wagtail]

Or bring him in with a friend?

He will come in all right but will stress if put in a stable. I could bring a horse in with him but that horse would need to go out at least 12 hours and then he would really stress. I think a small pen is the best way forward unless he only needs to be in for a very short time.

 

[paulineh]

Do let us know what he problem is

 

[Wagtail]

Will do.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

Or you could alternate day and night horses coming in with him. X

 

[Wagtail]

Vet has been and it is laminitis! Vet found a pulse in one hind foot but all four feet were sore. My initial thought two days ago was lami, but there was no heat or pulses and the grazing he is on is really sparse and he'd been on it 4 weeks. Vet says he has never had so many lami cases in horses that had never had it before, and often presenting in the hind feet.

Regarding his breathing, he says it's the rape and is not going to treat as he will not be in work in any case. He told me to corden off a small area of the sand turnout for him to stay in. So will support his feet and be next to other horses.