What could be wrong?

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Magicmadge

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Took my mare to the vets yesterday for some blood tests after worrying behaviour. She is 19 and lately has been very miserable spending most of her day in the field shelter pawing the ground and flinching as if she is being bothered by flies (which she isn't) She is having add lib haylage when in at night, hay in the shelter and breakfast, tea and supper of hi fi original, fast fibre and red mills veteran mix. She always has haylage left in the morning and sometimes doesn't clear up hard feed (not like her) . She seems worried by things in the distance when out, even though there is nothing there. I opened up some fresh grazing and after only a few minutes on it with her field mates she was rushing back to the shelter. She is not gaining weight( looks ribby) despite the amount of food she is on. I was convinced it was a liver problem but bloods have come back normal, but have been sent off for further tests including for cushings. Have only seen her similar to this once before when she had very bad mud fever and was thoroughy depressed with it, but there is nothing on her legs at all. Anyone any ideas? very worried now.
 
Cushings would be my first test run.

My pony has been like this lately - not sure why - sudden change in weather, dark nights drawing in, just feeling a bit under the weather etcetc. I have put her on restore by global herbs and equilibra 500 she has picked up no end (now wont be caught to come in!!!!!) and the equilibra had put the weight on her so much I'm goig to have to cut her hay back (woo!) - she also wasn't eating all her hay
 
I was going to suggest Cushings too... However if it is I would be tempted to start her on Prascend as supporting supplements are not proven to work.
Also may be worth getting her site tested, if she's not seeing properly, she maybe quite stressed.
Hole you get to the bottom of it soon
 
I'd say Cushings too - symptoms are text book and it's often noticed first in the autumn. If you go onto talkaboutcushings.co.uk you can register and get a voucher for £15 off the blood test (it only costs about £25 so that's a real saving).
 
The thing that first springs to mind if her liver is ok is a huge worm burden. Would explain the pawing and general upset tummy/colicy behaviour and would also explain the not finishing food and getting ribby. What I would do is collect fresh poo from her and send it to the vets for a fecial egg count.
 
I agree with the possible worm burden and or teeth need attending? If she cannot chew properly then this would upset stomach as large pieces of food cannot be digested properly.
 
My motto is

* WHEN IN DOUBT GET THE VET *
i wouldn't delay something isnt right she is telling mum get the doctor.

If she were mine I would call find out whats wrong and start treatment. One of my liveries had ulcers really bad they didnt know she had them till 99% to late as in she was dying . Luckily with her mum struggling with payment she has cleared all but one remains on her last check up a few weeks ago. its long drawn out.

The sooner you start treatment the better I would say.:)
 
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