Whats's the lesser of 2 evils?

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I must be being a bit dim but can you explain how getting a bit cold/sweaty affects the kidneys and then causes colic? I suppose I have been very lucky and not had to deal with this scenario. Are you sure colic after heavy work isn't due to another reason?

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I can't because I didn't ask but a vet at Kearns can if he's still there...

Tia may be able to help..I'm sure she said something...
 
B&J... you're not dim... I dont understand it either, and being a scientist it really makes no sense to me at all, unless hypothermia is involved......

Merlinsquest.... maybe the cold didnt help the fact that she already had a kidney problem ie she got cold and it reduced her immune system so made her condition worse as the immune system wasnt able to fight it as well! (cute ponio BTW!!)

severnmiles, I still think you'd be struggling to find kidney chill in an up to date medical/veterinary dictionary!!
 
Perhaps, I don't know, haven't bothered trying to look. Maybe I will as I'm stuck near the computer for the next three weeks.

Being a scientist, can you explain something to me if you're able to..it may be more of a docs question. I fractured my coxics a few years ago, if I go out wearing a little top and its chilly it aches so much, what causes that? Genuine question.

So the cold could bring horses immune system down and make it ill regardless of chills in the organs therefore if chill is fact or fiction it still isn't good for the horse.
 
What I meant was because the sweat on the hairy part has nowhere to go it tends to drip down and lather down the sides of the horse. I've seen it alot out hunting.

See it just came out wrong...it may still be coming out wrong lol.
 
All I can find on the internet regarding kidney chills is that its an old wives tale, doesnt happen!!!

Yeah Im a scientist not a doc but I'd hazard a guess that in the cold muscles contract and this could put pressure on your coxics making it ache?? but obviously dont quote me on that!!

The cold/wet could technically lower an immune system a little bit making it more susceptible to bugs and the like, which in turn could make it ill. If the horse wasnt exposed to any bugs It would have to be cold/wet for an awful long time before that alone would make it ill. Well thats my understanding of it anyway!
 
another educated guess along the same lines. In the cold the body trys to conserve heat by redirecting blood centrally and constricting external blood flow, this is called vasoconstriction. You may have mild muscle damage and by subjecting this area to ischemia could well cause pain. Only a guess though!
 
Same way an athlete wraps in a foil blanket when finished running.. to keep the muscles warm, so they dont get cramp/stiff etc!!
 
severnmiles, i fractured my coxys (joys of gridwork on a project horse i took on years ago) and you must cover your lower back up all the time in the cold, it really will intensify the aching and problem for a longer period. have a look on the net for info onthis. its the same with any back or joint or arthritic problem unfortunately.
 
Oh what a lot of nit pickers are on this thread. Ok I know the nit pickers will correct me, but I thought that the new rugs could be put on a wet or sweaty horse. This is because they are designed to be breathable. Expensive, but I have been assured they work, & if this is the case then that would solve the problem. Otherwise I would go with taking the neck & belly out & making sure she has a decent rug which is going to wrap round her tummy, along with a neck cover if needed.
 
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All I can find on the internet regarding kidney chills is that its an old wives tale, doesnt happen!!!

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Doubtful my vet in the UK is an old fish wife
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, but he is the top surgeon in the country and when he tells me my horse has colic due to chilled kidneys, I listen
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I wasn't aware it was medically or physiologically possible to get a chill in your (or anyone's) liver....
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I would imagine it depends where the liver is situated in any particular horse...although I suspect it isn't that near the skin...nor under the belly.
S
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I would of thought probably quite old school aswell! Im not doubting that being cold and wet for long periods of time could cause all sorts of complications, and maybe its just the terminology of "chill" that is the issue......
 
Hi all
Thank you for your replies. It's been quite interesting trying to keep up with the science and physics of it all.
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I can't really reduce her work load unfortunately, she doesn't do a great deal (it's not like we're out for hours and hours) and that what she does do is mainly just to keep her from getting too stiff in the field.
She loves jumping though so would like to keep her fit enough for a few clear rounds or something, again, nothing strenuous.

Anyway, think wil clip neck and belly, rug up, and hope it's not too cold this winter!

Thanks again.
 
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