Should I Be Worried?

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Boodle

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I'm not really sure where this should go, I thought it'd get most views here.
Most of you know I have an elderly pony, Trixie. She is expected to be mid to late thirties at the moment.
Over the last 6 months she has really seemed to get older and change in herself. Now I know this is to be expected but there are some actions which i've witnessed which has really made me worry.

Back in december time my sister witnessed her walking across the field, then simply falling over, then getting back up and continuing as normal. We phoned the vet about this, but as he had had a look at her a few days previous (he was out at Boo and looked at Trix too as a check up) he said that she had probably just stmbled and there was nothing obvious to explain it.
My mum has seen her scrambling to her feet a few times, but it is not clear whether she was down/rolling or had fallen.

Recently i have been observing her without her knowing im there and she acts strangely. Whether it be walking round in circles, then stopping abruptly and staring into space, or like today, sleeping, then suddenly bolting for 30 metres or so, then stopping, sleeping and doing the same a few minutes later, when the others don't spook or move at all.

I have also watched her standing with her head up against/in the hedge, with her ears pricked, staring into space.

I have had/have got elderly ponies and never have I seen one act in this strange way. My previous elderly pony was 36 when he died and never showed any signs like this.

I am beginning to really worry about her, but there are no obvious health problems.
Is it worth a vet visit? Is it just her going a bit senile? Her hearing and sight failing?

She looks ok (ish) in herself, tho is still very thin. She doesen't actually appear all that interested in grazing to be honest, and spends most of her time staring into space.

After watching her, I went and sat with her for a while and she was happy to stand and snooze with me, then moved off and stood alitte way away, then continued to stand over some tyes/poles in the field so they were in amongst her legs, then when climbing out of the mess she'd entangled herself in she tripped and snorted and froze, like she was paralysed for a second or two, then moved off again and went to snooze further away.

What is everyone's views?

This is her this evening....

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and

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Snoozing/staring into space.

Am i worrying too much? Or should I get the vet out to see what he has to say.

I knew a pony who was acting strangely, not like this, but far more severe in that she would run head first into gates, and she was suffering a brain tumour.
Also worried about her having/have had a stroke.

Please do reply with any thoughts/opinions/advice you can come up with.

Thanks
Kirsty
 
Okay, sorry to say this but that sounds like liver failure, my old pony was doing the staring into hedges, walking in circles and the sudden jumping forwards. I would have a bloodtest taken, that will tell you. with my old boy it turned outhe had cancer that was causing the liver failure. It is the toxins from the liver in the blood that cause the brain to act funny
 
I agree it could well be liver problems.

Have a blood test done and make a decision from there. I had my ancient pony put down last year when she started to lose her stability occaisionally and tbh, she looked in better condition than your girl.
 
I wouldn't get the vet because there is nothing they can do. You know your pony and it does not sound like she is suffering. She has probably just having senior moments like a dotty old lady. She looks in great shape. If she was my pony I would just concerntrate on keeping her comfortable. If she is going senile, she won't have a clue that there is anything wrong with her. Like a dotty old lady, she is probably completely at ease with herself.

You could book her in for a full field neurological and physical, but would that be the kind thing to do... you would know whats the matter, if anything, and be charged a fortune... but I doubt any treatment would be available.
 
We had one who looked similar in some ways and god knows how old he was, I would say yes maybe her body is starting to deteriorate, ours was the same and we asked the vet several times whether he was suffering but, in his opinion as long as he was still happy in himself and eating ok (we soaked his food to mush and he probably couldnt' get much grass) then to leave him be.

You probably will have to face that she may not have that much longer left but provided she is not showing signs of distress then i would say keep your eye on her but let her be really.
 
I don't have much experience with older horses, but she sounds like a dotty old lady
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I respect you so much for the prue care and love towards your ponies. : )

I personally would keep at eye on her, shes old and heart breaking as it is she is reaching the end of her days, what will the vet do/tell you that would change things?

She doesn't appear in pain or uncomfortable and seems to have a good qauilty of life.
 
Errrm All of you saying she is a dotty old lady... if the little mare does have liver failure, the symptoms of standing in hedges etc is actually a symptom of trying to relieve pressure on the brain this equals pain... the test for liver failure is a blood test it isn't invasive and won't cost a fortune and it will give piece of mind
 
Our old lady did not have any of these symptoms. but she lost her capacity to move smoothyly and at speed, this was a cause of loss of quality of life for her. She also had trouble keeping weight on. She spent more and more time alone, away from her long term field mates. We therefore made the decision last autumn to have her pts at home. An incredibly sad day for us, but she died flirting with the knackerman in her own yard, happy as larry.
 
I would personally have a blood test just to make sure all is ok and set your mind at ease...I had one done for my girl when I believed she might have cushings...
It might be that she has a slight cold or something which can be cured easily....its worrying have tests done when they are older cause you never know what is going to be found....but it is not always bad....
She is an old lady - bit like mine who is 30!! So I can understand where you are coming from with aches and pains of old age....my pony often stands and just stares into space..in fact most of the time she is either eating or sleeping....
Love seeing all the great pics in the pic gallery :0) Love your ponies....
 
Probably wise to get the vet's advice, and to get her blood tested, and possibly get her eyes checked too (suddenly spooking could be a symptom of failing vision).

However, personal opinion having had a similar oldie, is that she could well just be going a bit dotty. Oldies do spend longer sleeping, and can "come to" very suddenly and feel spooked by nothing much at all. My oldie was very dotty in her later years (35-37), but there was nothing physically wrong, and she seemed happy in herself.

Best to check though (without spending a fortune) - it'll put your mind at rest. Your know your pony.
 
I totally agree with getting some bloods done. Yes, she may just be having a few 'senior moments', and yes, there may be nothing that can be done, but if you have the tests done at least you'll know for sure. And who knows, there may just be a simple treatment that will enhance her quality of life.

Good on you for giving a lovely oldie a good home!
 
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