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Post by ptowne on Sept 25, 2007 9:47:09 GMT -5
About the long coat, my horses are getting their winter coats, too and very thin horses tend to grow long coats to conserve energy. So I wouldn't necessarily assume Cushings. Something has made this horse drop a lot of weight in a relatively short time.
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Post by MustangAppy on Sept 25, 2007 10:07:54 GMT -5
I went through QT with Sierra at Sam's and it was never like this. I was told Dazzy had a mild cough, nothing more. That does not explain his condition. I was not ever told he was losing weight, I had an account set up at the vet, who refused to speak with me, and none of the assessments I asked for of his injury or teeth were ever done. His right rear pastern is painful and swollen to the point of looking over at the hoof. He may have scratches, or an abcess, or possibly ring bone, I don't know, and the vet cannot get here fast enough. I am going to get a urine sample to them today, though, so we can a least check that. I was given no feeding instructions, just told he needed to put on about 75 pounds. His is a big boy, I need to get him measured today for a blanket, since I don't have one that will fit. Right now he is on bute for the back foot, eating 4 cups of Manna Pro Senior twice a day, and all the hay he wants. Our feed store is really limited on what they carry, I can't even find most the things that have been recommended to feed him. My stomach won't quit hurting, and I can't sleep.
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Post by TashGaia on Sept 25, 2007 10:15:48 GMT -5
I am so sorry... I really don't know what to say about all this, except that I hope he is better soon and that there isn't anything really wrong with him.
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Post by patrolhorse on Sept 25, 2007 10:35:34 GMT -5
Hang in there MustangAppy. If there is anything we can do to help- let us know.
I do think you deserve some answers and information regarding what is going on with his health.
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Post by ptowne on Sept 25, 2007 11:27:51 GMT -5
Breathe, MustangAppy. You're doing fine. You're feeding him well, you're working on getting a vet there, etc. You're doing everything you can. He doesn't seem to be in imminent danger; rough shape, yes, but not immient danger. Make sure to check his temp, respirations and heart rate. If his temp is up, maybe your vet would get out sooner or prescribe a broad spectrum antibiotic in the meantime. Could the bute be upsetting his stomach? How long has he been on it? How much is he getting and how often? It would be great if the vet could just draw some blood for testing.
Pam
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Post by MustangAppy on Sept 25, 2007 11:39:50 GMT -5
The vet is out of town until next week. They can do labs if I can get things to them, which is why I am going to start with a urine sample. I do not know if he had bute during QT. He has been on it 2 days here, 2 scoops once a day as a loading dose. He goes to 1 scoop tomorrow. I was told he would be given Tucaprin while in QT, and I was billed for a bottle of penicillin instead. I have no idea how often he was treated, and until he arrived Sunday I didn't even know which foot he was off on, even though I requested that information several times. I hate it that I have to be at work and can't be there checking on him. My husband is not very horse savvy, and I worry he won't know if Dazzy is in trouble.
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Post by TashGaia on Sept 25, 2007 11:44:48 GMT -5
I don't know about your QT situation, but when I had Josta in QT...
The horses were usually given Penicillin, but if they were difficult to give shots to (um... yeah... Josta definately qualifies on that one....), then they were given Tucaprim instead.
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Post by ptowne on Sept 25, 2007 11:46:06 GMT -5
He'll be okay. You're doing a good job. It is a real shame that you got no info on what was going on with him or what was done.
pam
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Post by halfwayhome on Sept 25, 2007 12:00:23 GMT -5
Another good idea right now would be to get some probiotics into him, load him with a full paste dose, then add daily to feed/slurry mix in powder or pellet form, really helps the gut of these guys in his shape. Also, another thing I do for them is get a dose of the Vit B complex paste into them, helps appetite, immune system and stress.
The ones I have taken in that were in bad condition did really well to start off on a well softened mix of hay cubes ( put on to soak at least an hour ahead with warm water) probiotics, rice bran, possibly some corn oil, beet pulp softened if the horse will eat it, plus a good Equine senior mix in small amounts gradually increased if called for ( there is time later to get blood and sugar levels, etc-your immediate concern is getting nourishment into him and to tempt him to eat) I have found that even just sprinkling a bit of a grain mix onto the warm slop will encourage them to try the rest and soon they look forward to their mix! If he is eating hay, great, let him eat all he feels comfortable eating, he has had food/hay and its not like he has been starved. You can always add suggestions like apple juice, pedialyte, etc to it if need be in his water or feed mix. People have put lots of good ideas in a section of this board on feeding or health.
As per other suggestions, take temp, and resp and such, if off, monitor daily. That trip would have been very hard on a horse in his condition and rest will help a great deal. Is he drinking now? Sometimes if their teeth hurt cold water hurts so maybe warming the water will help a bit. I would ask for itemized vet bill with visit notes. You are paying the bill and should have that information, most vets would be willing to talk with a person in their spare time and that is usually considered part of the service to an out of town client. I hope he feels better soon
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Post by sherigraf on Sept 25, 2007 12:06:01 GMT -5
Yes, good advice. Breathe in, breathe out.....;-) I read his thread and from what you posted it was to be expected that he'd look different than at the lot. HOWEVER, you probably were not ready for him to look so rough. You and he will be just fine. He's getting his winter coat which is good... :-) He's home and you can dote on him....another good thing. You will, however, have to wait for him to recover to take pictures of his pretty appy self. Hang in there.
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Post by MustangAppy on Sept 25, 2007 14:54:26 GMT -5
The vet only did Coggins, Health Certificate, and Brand. The penicillin was billed to me by the QT. All I know is that he is looking less dehydrated today. I also forgot to mention that his eye balls are PINK, not white. Check the photo below. I don't know what that might be indicating, but that can't be good either. I even went to our Museum store and bought Himalayan mined salt blocks with trace minerals for him to lick. I thought he might like that better than regular salt.  |
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Post by lauras on Sept 25, 2007 15:05:51 GMT -5
Have you spoken directly with the vet that saw him in qt? Do you have a copy of the health cert. and coggins?
I am worried about your baby...
I'm so sorry.
If you need to, e-mail me anytime and we can exchange numbers....
I'm not on the board much.
flyinggoatfarm@yahoo.com
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Post by MustangAppy on Sept 25, 2007 15:10:42 GMT -5
Vet refused to talk to us, told my husband that we would have to speak to the QT. I called back and was hung up on. I should have followed my gut and got another vet out there. Yes, I have a copy of the paperwork, but it doesn't say anything out of the norm.
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Post by TashGaia on Sept 25, 2007 15:30:53 GMT -5
Red in the eyes might mean that there is irritation. Can you flush his eyes and put a fly mask on him? Shasta gets red eyes if she doesn't wear her fly mask out in the sun.
Can you get a picture of the eye straight from the side of his head? I would be interested to see if the "tear glands" look swollen at all.
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Post by MustangAppy on Sept 25, 2007 16:03:57 GMT -5
The tear glands don't appear swollen. We figured at first that it was from the long trip and dust. Flushed several times, and eye ointment. Still pretty red today. I am taking off early from work, I can't concentrate.
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Post by TashGaia on Sept 25, 2007 16:06:42 GMT -5
OK. Can you take a look at his eyes first thing in the morning? Before dawn would be best. See if his eyes are red at that point.
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Post by lauras on Sept 25, 2007 16:22:43 GMT -5
Call the vet and threaten legal action if he does not give you a report. You are the client. If he was at Deb's she needs to get you the paperwork asap. This is crazy. Have you spoken to Deb? Besides the "he needs to gain 75lbs.?" You need a report from the exam. Your vet needs it.... have them call.
So sorry....
It s*cks when your horse hurts...
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Post by pnp4kidz on Sept 25, 2007 16:54:56 GMT -5
Those eyes do look red, but they are red on the 'second' eyelid, and that looks like irritation to me.
It does take time to get over being hauled...
he has a cut over that eye too, and he's quite dirty...
do you know yet why he was so wet on top, and dirty?
and what his trip was like? I'd be most suspect of that part right now...
how long was he in a trailer?
was the window open? he had wind blowing on him at 60 MPH for a long ride!!!
don't flush the eyes more than once, it is irritating of itself.
just cover them, and let the vet suggest any ointment if they start draining pus (they aren't now I see)
I am glad to hear he isn't so dehydrated, that helps.
be careful of the mineral salt blocks, only plain salt is for horses... the 'trace' minerals always contain a TON of iron, and horses are grazers, so they are meant to have VERY minimal iron in their diets... we overload them!!!! They eat hay (full of dirt=iron) instead of browsing the tips of fresh greens, and eat our horrid bagged grains, full of iron, and some people actually GIVE their horses MORE iron, thinking it helps the immune system, or their red blood cells... well, news... they are overloaded... they need LESS iron to stop competing for the binding sites of Copper and Zinc!! what they are short of is those, as they have to be raised very high comparitively since we have too much iron in their diet already!
off my box... no mineral blocks... nothing 'red', they have iron. just plain salt or iodized salt...
and lots of water... :-)
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Post by MustangAppy on Sept 25, 2007 17:09:04 GMT -5
Well, water he has, a 75 gallon tank all to himself. He's dirty because he insists on taking one or two rolls in the mud per day. It rained for 3 days straight out here, and the only dry spot in the paddock was his run in. So, he finds the muddiest, nastiest puddle in the pen, and lays down in it. I think he was trying to camouflage to blend in with Sierra. Modified to add, his sclera are also red.
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Post by bcfilly on Sept 25, 2007 17:48:38 GMT -5
Vet refused to talk to us, told my husband that we would have to speak to the QT. I called back and was hung up on. I should have followed my gut and got another vet out there. Yes, I have a copy of the paperwork, but it doesn't say anything out of the norm. !!!!!!!! I'm flabbergasted that the vet refused to speak with you....and then to hang up!  Wishing you and Dazzler all the best. |
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Post by lorsadoon on Sept 25, 2007 18:57:07 GMT -5
A vet that refuses to talk to a client is VERY unprofessional. Is this the CBER vet? If so, maybe they should consider contracting a new one for the QT horses. It is stressful enough to have to wait for your horse, without proper treatment and communication from the vet, that will make it even tougher.
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Post by ptowne on Sept 25, 2007 19:25:33 GMT -5
Poor baby. How is he emotionally? Does he seem friendly, depressed, frightened?? I'll bet it takes a while for them to realize the nightmare is over and they are safe.
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Post by maverick on Sept 25, 2007 22:37:22 GMT -5
I feel really sorry for him, I can only wonder.
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Post by calypso on Sept 25, 2007 22:51:02 GMT -5
pnp4kidz - what about free choice minerals? I used the Dynamite ones - I know, overpriced, but wth, they did the trick.
MustangAppy, can you get probiotic from your supply store?
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Post by MustangAppy on Sept 25, 2007 23:13:06 GMT -5
I am going over the feed dealer on the reservation tomorrow to see what they have. They are just down the road from my trainer/vet (mostly pets, but is long time horse owner). She is stopping by tomorrow to check Dazz. If she can get his blood drawn, that along with the urine sample will at least give us a start. Probably going to have to x-ray the pastern.
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Post by MustangAppy on Sept 25, 2007 23:17:19 GMT -5
Forgot to add that he seems to be feeling pretty good today, it was warm and sunny. He took a few trots the length of the small pasture and back. He is off on that back foot, but it didn't keep him from trying to look elegant. My God he must have been something back in his prime, even gimpy he practically floats. I hosed off his tummy, he is spraying himself, and his shealth is a gummy disaster (I am sure there is the world's biggest bean hiding in there). I have never cleaned a shealth, I don't know how, I have only read about it. Chris will likely walk me through it tomorrow. Product suggestions welcome....I saw Excalibur in the isle at Cal Ranch, so I know they have that. It's kind of funny, Sierra mostly ignores him. He has one hell of a loud chortle, though, if she gets out of his sight. You should have heard the call he gave when we pulled up to the pasture Sunday night when he first saw her. I was told he called every night for several days when he arrived in QT, but other than a couple of hollers at Sis, he has been very quiet.
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Post by Admin on Sept 26, 2007 1:19:26 GMT -5
He'll be fine. Horses coming off the lot are stressed even if they are not sick. He was sick.
The "spray" is more than likely a bean. (We'll get to sing the weeny wash song for you soon). Make sure and have the Vet clean his sheath.
Teeth float and a good diet. Also worm again.
You'll have him back to his little round self in no time. Sounds like you are doing everything you need to.
We are here to support you and Spot, er I mean Dazzler ;D
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Post by beejoyfulmk on Sept 26, 2007 10:42:01 GMT -5
keep the faith sweetie your boy will be great soon!!!
Just feed him and love him for now , see if someone else can do the vet calling and info gathering for you at this time. That way you can focus your attention on him and not get sick yourself.
We are all here for you and that sweet boy.
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Post by TashGaia on Sept 26, 2007 12:12:17 GMT -5
How is he doing today? Did you get a chance to check his eyes before the sun came out?
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Post by MustangAppy on Sept 26, 2007 14:01:31 GMT -5
Yes, the left one is still red and irritated some, but the right one has cleared up. It is getting better though. I have been putting ointment in it that the vet gave me when Pal's eye got irritated last fall. He is busy today trying to crop grass (there isn't much left, pretty well eaten down to nubs at this time of year), but he wanted to pretend to be a big boy and get his own food, so I figured fine, he can't get enough to hurt him. When he actually gets hungry, he goes to his pile of hay and sifts it. He leaves the stalks, and we toss that over the fence for Sis to eat. She will eat anything, the little stinker. He must have been pretty dehydrated, and not from the trip. He had a 75 gallon tank clear full on Sunday night. By noon yesterday it was nearly empty. He doesn't look as drawn and haggard. He is very nice to halter and handle, knows how to respect space. Good thing, he is so tall it is scary for me to stand next to him. I think he is bigger than 15.2. Sierra is 14.3, and he towers over her. Not just tall, but big boned, one of his legs would make two of hers (she is dainty, Pal's legs are thicker than hers, too). I will have to get the tape out to measure for a blanket anyway, so I will see about height. I am finding that some of his spots are colors other than black, his coat is really interesting. So far, gray, brown, red, and palomino as well as black. There is some weird section of hair on his neck that might be an old freeze brand. I am going to part the hair a little (gotta get a step stool out there) and take a look.
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