Update on pony

[J_sarahd]

As some of you may be aware, I recently asked on here about my pony’s symptoms. A lot of you said ulcers. Today he was scoped (I swear there’s nothing more heartbreaking than leaving your pony in an empty stable with no hay for a night).

Well, they found a couple of small ulcers but they said normally they wouldn’t be concerned about them but because he was showing such “ulcer” symptoms they just said he might be sensitive to them. And yes he is a sensitive boy - when the flocking in his saddle balled up ever, EVER so slightly, he had a melt down and wouldn’t stop bucking.

So we are on sucralfate for four weeks (and another medication that I don’t know the name of but that I have to pick up tomorrow). I’m both relieved but also feel a bit anxious about it. It’s going to be difficult when I move but thankfully it’ll only be for a week.

 

[cauda equina]

Poor boy! Good that you listened to him, and that you've got an answer for his behaviour
Now you're onto the problem things can only get better x

 

[CMcC]

I had a similar experience. Ulcer symptoms but when scoped he only had some slight signs that this might be the cause. Was prescribed sucraflate and it worked well and symptoms cleared up.
Hope your experience is positive.
And yes agree leaving them without food was the hardest part.

 

[Roxylola]

Charlie was only grade 2 ulcers I think, certainly not severe at all but he was very determined that it _hurt_ and he would not be putting up with it at all. Treatment made a big difference though, hes just a sensitive dude

 

[Bellaboo18]

I never get when people say any stomach ulcers are 'only'...I cant imagine the pain of one small ulcer when you've got constant stomach acid.

 

[J_sarahd]

I feel bad that I didn’t listen to him earlier but also I’m relieved it’s not as bad as I had thought it would be (if that makes sense)! Vet has also said to carry on riding as normal, which I’m happy about as I thought he’d end up having months off

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

You listened to him and got him the help that he needs, you are a good owner. I must admit that I wouldn't ride until I knew that the medication was beginning to make a difference, whatever the vet says.

 

[J_sarahd]

Thank you PS, that means a lot. Oh yeah I’m going to give him some more time off but at least for now, there’s hope that he will be rideable in 4 weeks. I’ll monitor his behaviour on the ground, as he was a grumpy boy and go from there. I’m not gonna just whack a saddle on him tomorrow like everything’s back to normal.

Just as a side note, I’d obviously give him any time off he needed. All I care about, really, is that he’s happy and comfortable. It’s just the excitement of a new yard, new hacking routes, new people to ride with but I know that’s secondary to his health and well-being.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

When he has come to the end of his course of meds, if all is well, you might want to give him Aloe Vera juice in his bucket feed, to keep him feeling well, it keeps the acid at bay.

 

[J_sarahd]

When he has come to the end of his course of meds, if all is well, you might want to give him Aloe Vera juice in his bucket feed, to keep him feeling well, it keeps the acid at bay.

ooh thank you, that’s very helpful

 

[J_sarahd]

Does anyone know if sucralfate can be added to food? YO just got kicked trying to syringe it in to him so is refusing to do it now (which is fair enough)

 

[Roxylola]

Does anyone know if sucralfate can be added to food? YO just got kicked trying to syringe it in to him so is refusing to do it now (which is fair enough)

We did so yes you can, but everyone seems to have slightly different instructions for giving it. I'd speak to your vet

 

[J_sarahd]

Thanks Roxy. He is going to have to have it in his feed tomorrow morning as YO is refusing to syringe him as he kicked her and I can’t get up early enough to do it. I did ring the vets to ask and the receptionist said he’d ring me back but he never did. I’m going up tomorrow anyway to pick up the other medication and I’ll see then. I can’t risk people getting kicked and I can’t be there 30 mins before every feed

 

[Domirati]

I give it in food. Soaking a handful of Releve and mixing it with that, only as he has gone off his chaff so keeps leaving it. Vet said no problem, it was better than me wearing most of it! I have ridden mine all the way through his treatment, vet said two rest days a week but it is helpful to keep riding to monitor his reaction to the medication. Mine still in his winter grump but has stopped biting and kicking when being saddled. Good luck, I hope the treatment goes well for you.

 

[J_sarahd]

I give it in food. Soaking a handful of Releve and mixing it with that, only as he has gone off his chaff so keeps leaving it. Vet said no problem, it was better than me wearing most of it! I have ridden mine all the way through his treatment, vet said two rest days a week but it is helpful to keep riding to monitor his reaction to the medication. Mine still in his winter grump but has stopped biting and kicking when being saddled. Good luck, I hope the treatment goes well for you.

This is great, thank you. It’s good to know that giving it in feed isn’t a complete no-no, so YO will do that tomorrow morning and then I’ll ask my vet tomorrow. Like you said, it’s better that he gets it even if it’s not “perfect” than him not getting it! I’ll give him this weekend off and monitor his behaviour and maybe pick up the riding again next week - depending on the weather/if the schools frozen!