Sick Pony..anyone know anything that could help?

Sirreal

Sirreal

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Hi,
I went to get my pony in today, and he seemed very, VERY lethargic. He is usually crazy-hyper, but I put it down to it being a hot day. When I got him to the yard, his breathing seemed very disjointed, and not rhythmical. He was also REALLY hot, so I bathed and hosed him down. He stood still, instead of making his usual fuss, and so I gave him a carrot to say well done...and he couldn't chew it. He gobbled it in fast enough, but couldn't seem to put any pressure on his back teeth. He also dribbled a lot of saliva and grass out... At this point, George pointed out how swollen he was under his chin. We put him in his stable and went to ask YO.

When we came back (she was out at a show), he hadn't moved and had his head down by his knees. He seemed completely uninterested in anything, even his beloved food. We rang the vet, described symptoms etc. and he said wait to see what he is like in the morning. We then waited at the yard for the next two hours, (til 9.30) and Pony barely moved at all, except to have a pee.

I'm quite worried, as he looks so out of sorts, and not being able to eat seems like it could be a big problemo...

I'll check him again in the morning, and ring vet as necessary, but in the meantime, does anyone know anything at all that this could be/ what could have caused it?

Chocolate-dipped marshmallows to everyone who actually read all this,:D even if you think I'm MAJORLY over-reacting..non-horsey Father certainly does.
 
I can't believe the vet didn't come out!

First thing I might guess is heat-stroke, followed closely by grass sickness. Is he pooing? Didn't you take his temperature?

No, I can't believe the vet didn't insist on coming out.
 
I echo brighteyes. Can't believe the vet didn't come out as an emergency, though sometimes if an owner describes the symptoms in a sorry-to-disturb-you sort of way, then the vet won't pick up on the urgency. The symptoms you describe could be a million things. He could have been hoolying around just before you went to get him so would be hot. But if he's uncharacteristically lethargic, off his food, unable to swallow, swollen glands under his chin, drooling and obviously unwell then it could be anything from choke to strangles. Vet.
 
I'd be up checking through the night if it was of mine but i would have also demanded the vet came out, first thing that came to mind was grass sickness once you said pony can't swallow.
 
I was called to one just like this last night. Laboured breathing, incr resp rate (24) and effort but not incr lung sounds. No nasal discharge. Some improvement to flunixin and antibiotics and clear on bloods. Assumed respiratory distress from the heat in his stable causing a flare-up of COPD (no history of this but a pony of 12rs on straw bed and unsoaked hay - its most likely)- recent management change meant he was stabled in his wooden stable during the day as no shelter in the field - i found the stable sweltering just to stand in. And he had hardly drank anything. Got a call back early this morning as pony was unable to swallow - treated with steroid and ventipulmin and pony now much improvd and tucking into his grub. I did wonder when I got the call this morning if it was something much more worrying like a gastric impaction, urination problem or grass sickness but the most constnt sign really was laboured breathing if required to move and flared nostrils at rest. - sounds similar to yours but I would be expecting the vet out.
 
Ahhh :( He's 9. I'm going up to check on him now (7.40ish) I'll see how he is and act accordingly. I just hope I haven't been too complacent about it not being too serious :( I'm pretty worried now....thanks to all the replies, will keep you posted xx
 
If he is no better this morning I would demand the vet comes out, and if he still refuses to change your vet. Hope he improves ,keep us updated.
 
Just been to check on him.
He seems happier in himself, and he's pooed and eaten some hay. He still couldn't chew his carrot :( but I've put him in the field cuz he was desperate to get out. I'm going to bring him in for the vet at about 11. Another livery suggested he could have been stung? He's still puffy under his chin, but it has gone down a lot. So I think he's okay :) but the vets coming later anyway.

Thanks VERY much for all the replies :D
 
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