TotalMadgeness
Well-Known Member
My 6yo connie is due a vet visit to check how he's doing with his stifles after his diagnosis and treatment in February. He's doing surprisingly well in that respect so I'm quite comfortable with all of that. However I want to ask the vet to check him over because of the symptoms below:
The pony:
Has bulging hollows above the eyes. Not massive not solid but noticeably puffy. These don't seem to be related to the grass in that he had filled hollows before the grass became rich. I'm kicking myself but I can't remember if he had them in the winter tho.
Seems to have a puffy sheath - not huge/not hot but definitely a lot more 'baggy' than my other gelding. Again can't remember if he had this pre summer grass.
Produces smelly black gunge - at the entrance to the sheath. Very occasionally you might get some on his legs. He has had this issue since I got him 2 years ago and is the same all year round. His penis is clean as the proverbial whistle mind you - its just the entrance which is minging! He sometimes pees without fully extending so I think this is the cause.
Produces very smelly poo which looks perfectly normal but stinks. Again he has had this ever since I got him 2 years ago and is the same all year round.
He is otherwise a bright healthy & happy pony although now looking too rotund because of the grass. He is on restricted turnout in a strip but clearly I need to cut back more. He is currently exercised 5 -6 days a week, at least 3 x 2 hour hacks and other times he is schooled in a way which is appropriate & supportive to his weak stifle joints.
Luckily there is no crest on his neck or any obvious fat pads - the fat appears to be evenly distributed over his body.
Digital pulse isn't raised in any foot and feet are normal temperature.
Eyes look normal - not reddened.
His worm counts are coming back clear and so he is only wormed once a year for tapeworm.
He's not girthy when tacked up but doesn't like his (anatomical) bridle and mild bit anymore. Have swapped to a bitless and he is accepting that fine. Just had his teeth checked this morning - all clear.
Very relaxed and willing under saddle not showing any issues being mounted or ridden.
He is very mouthy and chews blinking EVERYTHING. We fitted metal strips around exposed sections of wood in the stable and these are covered in teeth marks. He doesn't windsuck or anything simply grabs the strips and pulls. He also chews any stable tools he can reach, fences, the school surface, his reins, lead rope and any passing human or horse.
Can't think of anything else!
I'm going to ask my vet if an EMS test would be a good idea but is there anything else I should consider? Or should I just stop worrying about him!!
The pony:
Has bulging hollows above the eyes. Not massive not solid but noticeably puffy. These don't seem to be related to the grass in that he had filled hollows before the grass became rich. I'm kicking myself but I can't remember if he had them in the winter tho.
Seems to have a puffy sheath - not huge/not hot but definitely a lot more 'baggy' than my other gelding. Again can't remember if he had this pre summer grass.
Produces smelly black gunge - at the entrance to the sheath. Very occasionally you might get some on his legs. He has had this issue since I got him 2 years ago and is the same all year round. His penis is clean as the proverbial whistle mind you - its just the entrance which is minging! He sometimes pees without fully extending so I think this is the cause.
Produces very smelly poo which looks perfectly normal but stinks. Again he has had this ever since I got him 2 years ago and is the same all year round.
He is otherwise a bright healthy & happy pony although now looking too rotund because of the grass. He is on restricted turnout in a strip but clearly I need to cut back more. He is currently exercised 5 -6 days a week, at least 3 x 2 hour hacks and other times he is schooled in a way which is appropriate & supportive to his weak stifle joints.
Luckily there is no crest on his neck or any obvious fat pads - the fat appears to be evenly distributed over his body.
Digital pulse isn't raised in any foot and feet are normal temperature.
Eyes look normal - not reddened.
His worm counts are coming back clear and so he is only wormed once a year for tapeworm.
He's not girthy when tacked up but doesn't like his (anatomical) bridle and mild bit anymore. Have swapped to a bitless and he is accepting that fine. Just had his teeth checked this morning - all clear.
Very relaxed and willing under saddle not showing any issues being mounted or ridden.
He is very mouthy and chews blinking EVERYTHING. We fitted metal strips around exposed sections of wood in the stable and these are covered in teeth marks. He doesn't windsuck or anything simply grabs the strips and pulls. He also chews any stable tools he can reach, fences, the school surface, his reins, lead rope and any passing human or horse.
Can't think of anything else!
I'm going to ask my vet if an EMS test would be a good idea but is there anything else I should consider? Or should I just stop worrying about him!!
