chai
Apr. 20, 2009, 06:00 PM
This is when I miss sharing my barn with other people, but I hope my COTH friends will be my second set of eyes before I call the vet.
My 22 year old TB mare is due for spring shots in two weeks. She is a generally healthy retiree who overcame a big injury last year and is enjoying a loving retirement. We live in a tick-prone area, though and in the past ten years she has had Erlycchia, Lyme and another tick borne illness that causes severe localized lymphangitis.
She hasn't had any problems with those diseases in over a year, though, but tonight when I went to bring her in from the pasture, she just didn't look 'right'. There are no red flags here, just my feeling that something is not quite right. She has no visible injuries, no localized swelling, no sweat marks, nothing to indicate that anything is wrong with her, except a look in her eye and slow-moving body posture that says, "Mom, I don't feel so good." When I bring her in, she usually does the dragon face to her pasture buddy when I lead him out of the pasture but tonight she stayed by herself, standing apart from us and waiting for me.
She was hesitant to move when I put her halter on to lead her to the gate. I checked her over from one end to the other and there is no sign of any injury. When I asked someone to encourage her from behind, she stepped out ok, although a little more slowly than usual.
There are no signs of lameness, but she's a bit stiff all over, like the way we feel if we haven't exercised in a while and put in that first day at the gym. A little stiff at first, but when we get moving, it's ok.
There are no hyper gut noises, no digital pulse, her gums look pink/good with good capillary refill, respirations are normal and she has no temperature. I made her a small warm mash and she ate well and wanted a carrot.
She is utd on worming; shots are due in two weeks and she is not on any medications.
Any thoughts?
I'm heading out to check on her now but I would appreciate any thoughts/suggestions. If I see anything else, or her condition gets worse, I will call the vet immediately. thank you for any input.
My 22 year old TB mare is due for spring shots in two weeks. She is a generally healthy retiree who overcame a big injury last year and is enjoying a loving retirement. We live in a tick-prone area, though and in the past ten years she has had Erlycchia, Lyme and another tick borne illness that causes severe localized lymphangitis.
She hasn't had any problems with those diseases in over a year, though, but tonight when I went to bring her in from the pasture, she just didn't look 'right'. There are no red flags here, just my feeling that something is not quite right. She has no visible injuries, no localized swelling, no sweat marks, nothing to indicate that anything is wrong with her, except a look in her eye and slow-moving body posture that says, "Mom, I don't feel so good." When I bring her in, she usually does the dragon face to her pasture buddy when I lead him out of the pasture but tonight she stayed by herself, standing apart from us and waiting for me.
She was hesitant to move when I put her halter on to lead her to the gate. I checked her over from one end to the other and there is no sign of any injury. When I asked someone to encourage her from behind, she stepped out ok, although a little more slowly than usual.
There are no signs of lameness, but she's a bit stiff all over, like the way we feel if we haven't exercised in a while and put in that first day at the gym. A little stiff at first, but when we get moving, it's ok.
There are no hyper gut noises, no digital pulse, her gums look pink/good with good capillary refill, respirations are normal and she has no temperature. I made her a small warm mash and she ate well and wanted a carrot.
She is utd on worming; shots are due in two weeks and she is not on any medications.
Any thoughts?
I'm heading out to check on her now but I would appreciate any thoughts/suggestions. If I see anything else, or her condition gets worse, I will call the vet immediately. thank you for any input.