unexplained weight loss

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Vicki1986

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my friends mare has dropped weight, out of character for this time of year. she lives out and is rugged at night. is brought in every few days for a rest and has hay and feed everyday as normal - is not hugely fussed on feed will eat the hay first. is settled in her routine and happy, shiny coat and eyes. teeth done recently no problems. last worm count came back clear, going to strongid p. grass is good quality and quantity.
dropped a lot of weight so upped hay and feed alongside some pink powder - she had an eye discharge so vet was called and they said could have been viral. this was about 3 weeks ago. she picked up and looked well again but has now dropped again. is blood test the way to go from here? she is fine in herself just a sudden (over a few weeks) loss of weight for no obvious reason. any ideas appreciated.
 
How is she with her food, does she pick at it, eat some, eat hay and go back to it, is she the stressy type, or has she got more stressed recently, or has her work been upped. How is she when her saddle goes on, does she make grumpy faces, how are her poos do they smell slightly sour??

I just think she might have ulcers, or possible ulcers. would be my first thought?

Or perhaps a virus? could the vet come out and take some bloods?
 
There are a number of reasons for weight loss including, sharp teeth, worms, ulcers, kidney disease, virus, to name a few.

I'd get the Vet to look at her and blood tested.
 
He would have to scope her, but it would be best to chat to him about it. Most horses show different signs and symptoms for ulcers (there are a number, some commonly shown, some horse specific) and obviously knowing the horse and how she is will help with the Ulcer diagnosis. What is she fed?
 
My friends horse has been like this over the summer and has just been diagnosed with a medium tape worm burden, despite pooh picking every day and the horse having been wormed religiously. Didn't show up in the worm count either, that came back clear. Was only diagnosed from a blood test. Easily treated (according to vet) simply by worming him! Hope you find out whats wrong with your girly.
 
My horse had unexplained weight loss and the vets were sure he had a malignacy but in the end it was ulcers.

He had blood tests which showed very high levels of both chronic and acute inlammation though non specific as to where.

In the end he was desperately ill and was scoped, the ulcers were found and treated and he is now well, 18 months later. The bloods came back to normal. He is now 17.

As the vets said with such a huge abdominal cavity you just have to start with educated guesses but I would be asking for bloods in your case.
 
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