worried about the vet tomorrow

Lexie81

Lexie81

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My poor old boy is having the vet out tomorrow to have a look at him and try to get closer to a decision being made about what to do.
He is 18, and has been out on loan as a companion for the last 4 years, having been retired on the vets advice cause of a back problem. before that he was a hack and when i was a teenager, PC pony.
Now he is back with me he seems to be not quite right. He has had mild arthritis in his back legs for a while now, probably 2 or 3 years, but today in particular he had quite a bit of swelling, although he was not too stiff and actually trottted to me across the field! He has had laminitis in the past and i know his loaners were really careful not to let him get overweight, but to me he looks a bit thin, esp. round his back end, his hips are quite bony. He is fairly bright and loved a nice groom this afternoon, but was not interested in his tea, he ate it, but slowly and kept stopping -but when i brought his hay out to him he tucked straight in to that. Vet is coming to give him a once over and take some blood samples tomorrow, just really worried about him, poor baby.
 
sounds like an elderly horse who is laminitic and therefor can not be allowed to get fat. dont get yourself worked up over anything until you speak to the vet. He is probably lacking alot of muscle two which wont help with him look a bit poor.

Lou x
 
Yes Lou you're right he has no muscle at all which may be why he looks poor, esp. compared to all his field mates who are fit and in work.
 
vets advice is the best. once you know bloods and esp liver function you can go from there. pain (from arthritis) may be pulling the weight off him, a bit of bute/danellon will help (again liver quality!) just coz he has had lami in the past doesnt man he needs to be underweight. talk to the feed people and plenty of bulk and maybe oil and blue chip? dont jump the gun so to speak,at 18 he isnt past it!quite young these days if underlying basic health is good! check teeth! and a worm count would be good too!
 
I know this will sound odd but my horse went off his hard feed but tucked into his hay and it turned out he had a fractured tooth. The vet at time dismissed teeth as said he would struggle with hay but eat hard feed and put it down to virus as he also had a snotty nose.
Good luck with your boy.
 
Yes i did think teeth actually, I will get the vet to have a look when she comes, thanks. I feel sick this morning!!
 
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