Possible Ulcers

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flurryjuno

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Just had a realization five minutes ago and now in panic mode. Mare has been very grumpy/moody recently, taken up to trying to kick horses when she's out, doesn't willingly move forward, increasingly spooky and snorty, bucks when asked to move forward/given a kick/tap with the whip, very girthy, doesn't like being poked round her belly, lost a lot of weight/struggles to keep weight on, hates being tacked up, coat increasingly dandruffy and dull and doesn't bend on one rein. To be fair the last one she's been like the past year and I always put it down to her needing more schooling or the physio out but the rest are completely unlike her!

She's went from being a calm, laid back lady to something completely different over the past few months. Nothing has changed other than she has no grass turnout, only into the sand arena for a kick about for a few hours each day, could this be a reason? I probably sound like a complete idiot but I put it down to the weather but thinking about it tonight it all clicked.

My next question is; whats the course of action? I'm ringing the vet tomorrow but as I'm only 16 will I be able to make an appointment? Dad doesn't understand so I would need to explain. Will the vet know straight away or will she need tests done? She also recently had an outbreak of lumps over her neck and stomach areas about two weeks ago which I put down to her being out in a heavyweight while three fire engines parked beside the arena when the YOs house went on fire and thought they were like a heat rash, however a couple more have popped up over the course of 3 days, all ranging in different sizes. Help!

Thanks in advance:)
 
Could well be ulcers, and wise to get the vet involved to get a proper diagnosis. In the meantime, you could look up Dr Kerry Ridgway's articles on ulcers on the internet. Lots of useful advice on diagnosis and the various treatments available.

The lumps that appeared on your mare's neck and stomach areas could be ulticaria/hives, caused by excess heat build up under her heavyweight rug. Again, your vet should be able to confirm a diagnosis.
 
I have had similar behaviour from my mare recently and vet felt a scope etc was far too invasive for her as she's not keen on anyone strange handling her never mind sticking a pipe up her nose! He 'suggested' abprazole, which you order from america and is basically there version of gastro guard, which is the only one available in the uk and as such costs a fortune. I saw a massive improvement in 2 days.

The lumps were probably a sweat rash - its been v mild this year so she's probably over heating in a heavy weight couple that with a house being on fire and thats a big stress reaction when she can't cool herself down.
 
Thought it was a sweat rash, thanks for backing it up lol I'm just full of worries now. I won't be able to take her to the vets until next week as the cars away getting repaired, and dad doesn't want to pay the call out fee, is there anything I can do in the meantime? I am 80% sure she has ulcers, just want her to be comfortable soon:(
 
In the meantime, ensure her diet is high in fibre and low in starch. Try to ensure she has access to hay or grass 24/7 so that her stomach is never empty.
If the ulticaria has been caused by excess heat, the lumps should hopefully disappear of their own accord in due course.
 
Ensure she has ad lib hay, alfa will help too, simple system lucie pellets are good. You want a probiotic to help her gut, protexin do a good one or it is in top spec balancers.

Do you have insurance and if so who with? they should cover the treatment. GastroGuard is the only product in the uk that will work. If you are not insured then you are best going for the american treatment that the vets have said will work also.

https://www.abler.com/

Agree with the high fibre low starch.

Its warm enough at the moment to take rugs off so maybe that will help her skin. Stress from ulcers could make the skin condition come out too.
 
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