Please help - persistent slight nosebleed - any experiences?

nikicb

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Before I even write anything, I want to make it clear that this pony is currently receiving care from my vet, I'm just posting to see if anyone has any other ideas or has experienced something similar.....

A week ago last Saturday pony had a very slight nosebleed from one nostril in the morning. Assumed he'd just knocked himself so turned out as usual. Looked better by the evening but more blood again Sunday morning. Pony completely fine in himself, temperature normal. It has only been a slight trickle, and am certainly not concerned by the amount of blood, just what is causing it.

Still some blood Monday morning so got vet out. Scoped and ruled out gutteral pouch mycosis. All that could be seen, well up the nasal passage, was a small inflamed purple but clearly sensitive area with a couple of capillaries which were bleeding. So at least we know where blood is coming from.

A little bit of background - pony is normally out all day and in at night. I'm currently having a school built so they are only out a few hours a day at the moment and pony can be a little bit stressy (slight box walker/wind sucker) but mainly when someone is on the yard. I can see his stable from inside the house and I know he's quite chilled when noone is around.

So vet's initial diagnosis - some sort of localised infection, more than likely caused by temporary change in routine - in more with more haylage than normal. Takes swab as wants to rule out fungal infection before prescribing antibiotics.

Very slight bleeding continues. Nothing found after three days from swab so ab's prescribed. Now 5 days into ab's and still bleeding. Comes and goes, but I think he is rubbing his nose and encouraging bleeding so something is bothering him in his nose.

Next step is taking him to vet's practice for better quality scope and unless bleeding has miraculously stopped by tomorrow I will be calling vet in the morning.

All throughout this pony has been completely fine in himself with no raised temperature (taken am and pm).

Anyone experienced anything like this? :frown3:
 
Yes - our old mare had this. Not to alarm you, but hers was an Ethmoid Haematoma. It was made worse by a particular feed, and was worse in hot weather, or if the hay/straw was dusty in winter - all things that irritated or encouraged the blood vessels to open up in some way.

We didn't go down the surgery option as her age and heart murmur ruled it out, she just had x-rays if the bleeding was particularly persistant to see if it had grown etc.
 
So vet's initial diagnosis - some sort of localised infection, more than likely caused by temporary change in routine - in more with more haylage than normal. Takes swab as wants to rule out fungal infection before prescribing antibiotics.

:

What it our haylage quality like? And what bedding is he on? Ventilation/air flow in the stable?

During the winter months when the horses are in more, mucking out, and filling nets of both hay and haylage everyday, I get very sneezy and sometimes small nosebleeds. My doctor says it is the dust irritating my nasal system, very much like hay fever.

Could there be a chance this is the same for your pony??

Fingers crossed you reach the bottom of it.
 
Yes - our old mare had this. Not to alarm you, but hers was an Ethmoid Haematoma. It was made worse by a particular feed, and was worse in hot weather, or if the hay/straw was dusty in winter - all things that irritated or encouraged the blood vessels to open up in some way.

We didn't go down the surgery option as her age and heart murmur ruled it out, she just had x-rays if the bleeding was particularly persistant to see if it had grown etc.

Actually it doesn't alarm me, but could make sense. As he has been in more recently that could have triggered something. Down to the vets for a better look I think.

What it our haylage quality like? And what bedding is he on? Ventilation/air flow in the stable?

During the winter months when the horses are in more, mucking out, and filling nets of both hay and haylage everyday, I get very sneezy and sometimes small nosebleeds. My doctor says it is the dust irritating my nasal system, very much like hay fever.

Could there be a chance this is the same for your pony??

Fingers crossed you reach the bottom of it.

The haylage is great quality, but he has had a lot more than usual as he has been in more. It's a very frustrating situation as I am having a school built but can't access the fields when the diggers are there. And when the diggers aren't there the ponies have limited turnout in a small paddock. Unfortunately with all the rain of late the construction team have done 3 days work in 2 weeks. :( He's on wood pellets, which isn't too dusty, but being on them 20 hours a day probably isn't the best. Please send vibes for a change in weather so my school can get built and we can return to normal! Although I think I am going to safeguard my yard tomorrow so at least they can wander round that all day - only small but out in the open and bigger than a stable.
 
I can't offer any constructive advice I'm afraid, but just wanted to say I hope you get to the bottom of it. And wishing him a speedy recovery. And that your school builders get to crack on soon, although the weather seems a bit all over the show atm !
 
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