New here and after some advice please!

[JGKJ]

Hi all.

Im after some advice of possible about my old pony.

last wednesday morning i went into the stables and Kelly looked very much like he was stood on ice, his legs wide and he kept stumbling and couldnt keep his balance and seemed spooked at his feed bucket, he also just seemed unsettled in himself. So promptly got the vet out, and he had a stumble (didnt fall down) while the vet was there and the vet basically concluded that he was an old tired horse and that if he carried on like this it wouldnt be fair to keep him going. Obviously i was heartbroken at this but understood. Anyway he gave him a multi-vit injection, and as the day went on he seemed to perk up and get less stumbly, and buy next morning he was back to his usual self, well so i thought. We took him out for a walk on the arena (nice and soft incase he fell) and he was so strong and forward, until he stopped to shake, and he completley lost his balance, again didnt go over but close. So we got him back into his stable and hes fine again, and we did the same the next day, even perkier and stronger than ever! But again, he stopped to shake, and this time he did topple over. But he got himself back up no problems.

I really need some opinions, i dont know what to do or think for the best. I also feel annoyed at the vet in a way as i feel he has just written him off because of his age (33) and whilst i do realise and appreciate that Kelly may well not have a long life ahead of him, im not prepared to accept that his major inbalance has something to do with his head is just 'old age'. It literally came on overnight, and i am stumped as to what it could be. The only other thing is, the vet thinks he may have cushing's, in which case i guess the tumour could have got big and be messing with stuff in his head. But surely that would have come on gradually, not just over night? Also just wondering of horses can get like middle ear infections/vertigo as i cant seem to find anything on internet!

Id really really appreciate anyone's opinions or advice, as im really finding it hard to know what to do for the best, and wondering if i should get a second opinion now? Would just like to add also that Kelly is absolutely fine in himself, as hes always been, eating drinking normally etc, and very perky, and hes stabled. Thanks in advance.

 

[Tierra]

Hiya and welcome to the forums

Hmmmm, the symptoms to me sound quite neurological-ish I must admit (particularly since he can get back up easily enough)

I can understand a vet saying that given his age it may be easier to let him go. Equally, the vet isn't the one who *knows* the horse and deals with him on a day to day basis and you obviously think he is ok in himself.

If he was mine, Id be looking for a second opinion. Is your vet a specialist equine vet? If not, is there one within reasonable distance that you could get out? It's obviously a concern that he's falling, as he could cause damage to himself but i'd still want a second opinion before making any drastic decisions if the horse is still happy in himself.

Sorry! I know this isnt a lot of use in terms of what could be wrong

 

[JGKJ]

Hi. Thanks for the reply. Yes i think its highly likely it is something neurological due to the fact it only happens when he shakes his head. I do understand where the vet is coming from, but at the same time i cant help but think he isnt quite ready to go yet! He has so much life and agility left in him (more than my lazy 11yr old thats for sure!)

I do understand that he could get worse and stop eating, drinking etc and i will know what to do if it gets to that stage, but until he is i want to try whatever i can to find out whats going on with him, i just feel if i have to make the decison to put my horse to sleep, the least i deserve is to know why and not just 'old age' because the loss of balance isnt just old age.

Like you say i deal with him everyday and i know him and i know when the time will come and it hasnt yet. He is stabled and we havnt taken him out for about 5 days as he did fall over on the arena last time, and the walk to the arena is over concrete and i dont want him going down on that.

There is another local vet surgery that we take our cats to (theyre equine vets to) so im thinking now i will get them to come out, i dont like doing that to the other vets, its just i feel theyve written him off now. Sorry for the long post!!

 

[Tierra]

Completly understand you not wanting to let him go whilever he's ok in himself.

Interesting as you say, that he only falls when he shakes his head. I know you mentioned in your first post about deep ear infections and while it's not something I have ANY experience with, it sounds plausible.

Dont feel guilty about seeking a second opinion though! Having a horse put to sleep (in none emergency situations ofcourse) is a huge, huge decision to make and it's something that you have to be sure of. Whilst you may feel loyalty to your vet, sometimes fresh insight can turn up something completly unexpected or consider something totally different. I cant believe the vet cant do anything at all... at least to try and find out what the problem is. Surely they can do some kind of diagnostical tests to work out whats going on (or refer to someone else who can)?

It's awkward that the walk to the arena is over concrete though.. otherwise I'd suggest let him have a wander round loose in there. That being said given his age, he may not be that bothered about being kept in anyway.

Other people on this forum might be able to give you better advice though

 

[miller]

I'd go for a 2nd opinion too - couldn't be an ear infection or something though could it affecting his balance?

 

[JGKJ]

Hi. Yes i think im leaning towards a second opinion now, as much as i dont like to do it, its something i have to do for Kellys sake.

Miller, regarding an ear infection, he doesnt have what you would say symptons of an ear infection, but then the off balance when shaking, also the fact he wants to shake his head suggests he may have something bothering him. However, i meantioned this to the vet and said id like to treat him for an ear infection just incase, he said he didnt have an infection and therefore didnt want to treat him for one!!! Im so confused!!!

 

[annie02]

A second opinion is needed, they can do a blood test to see what his levels are at, could indicate an infection as you suggest. There is way more that can be done, get a second opinion. Even if it is to hear the same answer as the other vet, then you would have done everything possible. But I think it could be something as simple as an ear infection, a bump on the head or more serious like a tumor.

As for the symptom onset being so quick, it could still be a tumor related to cushings. The tumor would simply have grown to a point where it would interfer with balance. However if it was that you would have other symptoms if it was that advanced. Increased water consumption and urination, hair growth, inablitiy to shed.....Besides there are medications for cushings!

 

[brighteyes]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

It sounds neurological to me, too - the spooking at the feed bucket rings a bell somewhere (eyesight?). The Cushing's tumour theory may well be what's behind the unsteadiness. A second opinion is a very reasonable and sound choice, especially as Kelly is otherwise feeling well.

Don't give up just because the vet doesn't seem to be fighting your corner and I wish you both all the very best in getting to the bottom of things. Keep us posted.

If you need any info on Cushing's PM me or search through previous posts as there have been quite a few. Sounds like you are pretty much up to speed on it though.

Good Luck

 

[JGKJ]

Hi, thanks for your replies, its really kind.

Kelly is no better, but no worse which im thankful for, i just hope he stays that way especially with it being christmas now.

The only other thing ive thought of is, my friends horse had the same problem, very similar if not identical problems, and it went on for ages and she spent a fortune on him and he was in leahurst (the local horse hospital) for ages having all sorts of tests, and they thought he had a brain tumour to. Turns out his back was out in 3 places! And his symptons came on overnight, just like Kelly. We have spoken to a back massage person and she said she cant treat him until she knows if he has cushings because what she would do would make him worse if he did have cushings, so once again seems im at a dead end, but he is having the cushings test 3rd Jan so thats something i suppose.

 

[Baggybreeches]

A similar thing happened to my pony aged 32. things like she fell over in the wagon one day coming home from a show, we would find her leaning against the stable wall, she had melanoma beneath her ears which we think caused the pressure in her brain causing the imbalance. She was happy and healthy until she had 3 fits in a week and my mum said it was time for her to bow out. She hunted and jumped right up to the end and I wouldnt of had it any other way. Good luck with the 2nd opinion but please be brave enough if your pony needs you to be! xx

 

[JGKJ]

Hi All.

Well Kelly is certainly no worse, if anything i would say he was a little better. As far as i know he is still losing his balance when shaking etc but he turned round to scracth himself yesterday and when he came back to he didnt lose his balance, granted it was only a small scratch, (very short amount of time he was bent round for), but still i think a little improvement. I certainly know it cant go on indefinately but Kelly is very perky and happy and eating lots, so while hes ok im going to try and get to the bottom of it. Rest assured though i know what i have to do if he gets worse. Thanks for the replies and advice, anymore is very welcome!! Thankyou x