What would you do?

[Annie22]

Hello

My horse isn’t well (sudden rapid weight loss) so he was put on a course of steroids. Unfortunately since coming off them circa 2 weeks ago he has started to drop weight again (although not to the same extent yet) and another blood test will be completed shortly. The vets are suggesting a scan and it would need to be done at the vets which will mean an hour of travelling each way.

I’m really not keen on him travelling anywhere, I don’t think it’s fair on him - would you do it? The vet estimates that he’s late teens/20 years old.

 

[expanding_horizon]

Hello

My horse isn’t well (sudden rapid weight loss) so he was put on a course of steroids. Unfortunately since coming off them circa 2 weeks ago he has started to drop weight again (although not to the same extent yet) and another blood test will be completed shortly. The vets are suggesting a scan and it would need to be done at the vets which will mean an hour of travelling each way.

I’m really not keen on him travelling anywhere, I don’t think it’s fair on him - would you do it? The vet estimates that he’s late teens/20 years old.

Lots of unknowns. What is vet scanning? How will information from scan help? How well does horse travel? How otherwise well is horse?

I know lots of fit 24 year old horses I’d happily travel.

 

[AmyMay]

I’d have no hesitation in travelling the horse to the vets. I suppose in the situation you’re in it’s the difference in having the horse put down, or finding out what the issue is and the possibility of recovery.

 

[Annie22]

He travels well. The scan would be to determine the cause of the weight loss, the vet has mentioned protein losing enteropathy, ibs etc as possibilities based on blood test results. He seems fine in himself, just the weight loss.

 

[Annie22]

amymay - yes exactly. I’m worrying myself sick.

 

[Wizpop]

If your horse travels well I would go to vets for the test- at least then you will have a plan for the way forward- wishing you the best.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

An hours travelling will fly by if he is a good traveller. Personally I would take him to find out whats going on. Good luck.

 

[scats]

If he’s a good traveller and doesn’t get stressed, I’d do the journey.
If he’s a stressy traveller and you’d rather not put him through that, then you might be having to face making a tough decision.
There’s no right or wrong in this, it totally depends on the horse.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

My pony started with loose droppings at 22 and started to drop weight. Nothing the vet could do then helped and he just got thinner and thinner till I finally had to have him put down about 10 months later. If my vet had suggested travelling him anywhere to try and find out for sure what was going on I would have done it. I have lost two the same way 20 yrs apart, the other was only 12.
This may be the only thing you can do to get a definitive answer and since you say he travels well and it is only an hour away then go for it. You do not want to be beating yourself up in the future because you didn't investigate when you could.

 

[sportsmansB]

If he is a good loader and traveller and you have the funds for the investigations and subsequent potential treatment, I would. I have a 20yr old at home who loves a trip out, loads and travels easily - and I would do it for him. But if I had a very stressy loader / traveller, with other significant health issues, I wouldn't necessarily do it.

 

[meleeka]

If there’s a good prognosis for treatment and your horse won’t be traumatised by going I would. I have a 29 year old that Is only just at the point where I’d question if it was worth it.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

If he travels well and the vet can tell you that there would be a good prognosis if they find a,b or c, I would take him for the scan. What does the vet feel Is the most likely diagnosis?

 

[Annie22]

Thank you he has decent insurance - thank god which will now cover all costs. I think I’m over worrying and will proceed with the scan if necessary. I’ve emailed the vet with an update so they’re up to speed prior to the blood test.

I’ve never been in this position before and finding it heart wrenching. He’s a wonderful horse.

The vet has suggested a few possible causes such as IBS etc but it’s all guessing really. His last blood test showed very low Albumin, high globulin.

 

[Zuzzie]

I agree with the others here. However, if you really don't want to do the journey, could it be possible to ask the vet to treat him initially for what he thinks is the cause? If he responds to the treatment you will then have the answer. Just a thought...

 

[Annie22]

Thank you. They have and now the course of Steroids finished, he has dropped weight again. He was the size of a tank on them lol