Urgent advice needed for ill pony please...

Q

QueenDee_

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My 20year old Welsh pony is not her self at all, usually the first to the food and hoovered up in a matter of seconds she was the last to the food and picked at it, she stands with her head down and is generally un-interested in much, breathing not as regular as normal, reluctant to move, I have brought her in and rang the vet who said they sound almost like flu symptoms but she hasn't been in contact with any new horses or environments for months.. so he just advised to check regularly and ring if it gets much worse..

Any advice or similar cases?

Thanks in advance, pretty worried because i've had her since I was 6 and never really seen her like this before...
 
my friends horse has had 2 episodes of a mystery illness one 2 years ago and one last year- lethargic, off food, temperature etc - vet stumped but very very worried as quite unwell - put on drugs (sorry dont know what) and A1 after couple of weeks - never found out what it was !

I would check for all usual which you prob have - take temperature, check to see if dehydrated (if worried put buckets out instead of trough so can see what drinking) also check for pulse in feet (query lami - soo much grass at mo) and make sure poo looks normal. Maybe check for anaemia (eyes and mouth I think !)

Hopefully just a 24 hour thing or she has eaten something she shouldnt have and it will sort self

xx
 
I think id tell him to get his ass in gear and visit immediately or get another vet, he cant diagnose properly over a phone and in my opinion your horse is aged and could have anything working on her.
Whats her temp ?
Whats her heart rate?
Are there any gut sounds?
Does she have digital pulses?
Youve already identified her breathing is off, is that due to pain or something else ?
I would not be happy to leave my horse unattended by a vet with the signs and symptoms you describe
 
I don't want to worry you but also sounds like the start of atypical myopathy and we're getting the perfect weather for it. That sounds what my lad was like prior to coming very ill with it (hindsight is a wonderful thing.)

I would get the vet and get pony off the pasture.
 
No grass here at the moment, so don't think its anything laminitic related.

Think I will just see how she goes, and if she gets worse call the vet again and get them to come out, she still calls out when she hears you coming and her eyes are bright etc soo..
 
Kokopelli said:
I don't want to worry you but also sounds like the start of atypical myopathy and we're getting the perfect weather for it. That sounds what my lad was like prior to coming very ill with it (hindsight is a wonderful thing.)

I would get the vet and get pony off the pasture.
Click to expand...

Whats this? Will google it in a sec
 
It's a disease caused by toxins in the soil most common in Autumn. It has an 80% mortality rate and takes hold very quickly. Have a look at the link in my signature it has more information about it.

I could be totally wrong though but ever since loosing my horse to it I'm probably a bit too obsessive over it.
 
Has she passed any droppings since seeming unwell? Our old pony was like this when she developed colic from suspected strangulated lipoma - outcome wasn't good unfortunately. :( Hope it is something less serious for your pony.

Must say I think I would want the vet out for peace of mind. Could be something relatively simple like mild spasmodic colic which could be fixed with a shot of Buscopan.
 
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There was an acorn tree in the field she was in a couple of days ago..she was in there for about 4days because we had a bit of trouble with the 'travelling community' so had to move her and my coloured into a safer field for a couple of days.

She was pretty much normal yesterday, but did have a runny nose..?
 
checked on her just now, much the same nickered and raised her head and shuffled a few steps towards me though...going to keep checks every few hours :o
 
When you say 'shuffled' that makes me think that she may well have laminitis, it's not just grass that can cause it. I would be getting the vet out as an emergency to be honest.
 
I'd check on her last thing tonight to be sure.

You say she is off her feed. Is this just normal' feed or is she refusing treats too? That's often a sign that things are wrong.

LIke us all, horses can't enjoy perfect health every day of the year. And things like abscesses can make them miserable. My mare had one hidden right up in the back of her mouth last year. The vet found it, but I hadn 't, and I thought I'd checked everything.

Apart from the money!! don't worry about calling the vet out tonight if you need to. As others have said, nobody knows your horse better than you. However, have you had any friend who knows her well have a look at he?. Often when you are the owner it's all too subjective and 'up close'. Will be thinking of you - and her.
 
Shes picking at food that she would normally hoover up, if you offer a handful she will eat it but slower than usual..

When I said shuffled I meant took a few steps..

She has poo'd as for water there is a bucket in there for her and I don't think she has had a drink yet- but that said she doesn't drink much anyway most times shes in the stable she doesn't bother :confused:
 
Ellky said:
Shes picking at food that she would normally hoover up, if you offer a handful she will eat it but slower than usual..

When I said shuffled I meant took a few steps..

She has poo'd as for water there is a bucket in there for her and I don't think she has had a drink yet- but that said she doesn't drink much anyway most times shes in the stable she doesn't bother :confused:
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Does her breath smell - i would get vet/dentist tomorrow to check her teeth - they may have a few sharp edges or there maybe a loose tooth. xx
 
You need to urgently take her temperature, both my horse and my friends horse both suffered peritonitis and very nearly died. Their symptoms started how you are describing your mare but both our horses had horrendous temperatures (101f)

To be on the safe side I strongly suggest you do this tonight.

Good luck keep us posted xx
 
I'd echo the advice about teeth - if she is not eating and has had a nasal discharge she could have an infected tooth which is probably very painful for her.
 
have to agree with poster about peritonitis, pony on our yard came in 3 days ago looking off and we thought colic or similar. He didnt want to eat anything really lay down alot and just generally looked bleurgh. They got vet out 24hrs after he first came ill and she said he was very close to death if she hadnt come when she did. So if she still no better this morning i would be getting the vet out to her. But hoping she has had miraculous recovery!
 
ditto - my horse is recovering from perontanitus and we had the vet out immediately. Symptoms were general lethargy, off his food, not drunk much water, only a couple of droppings - small and hard looking. Vet arrived on emergency call out within 30 mins of finding him like that as none of the above descriptions was normal for him.

Fingers crossed your mare was just having an off day but you know her so think you should go with your gut and call the vet if you are not happy.
 
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