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View Full Version : Should I Panic? *UPDATE* Post 11, He's Fine


Trevelyan96
Oct. 16, 2009, 11:15 PM
Went out to feed tonight at 8:30... the boys came running in from pasture as usual, but then Rico just turned up his nose at his feed. Nikbbled at it a bit, but just wasn't really interested, where he's normally very enthusiastic. He likes to toss it out of his bucket then eat if off the ground, but none of that tonight. :confused:

I checked him out.. he has a small cut on the back of his left pastern. Cleaned it up, took a good look at it... Looks very minor, no swelling, heat or skin flaps. He pulled it away the first time I touched it but then stood like an angel while I cleaned and inspected. Walked normally, didn't look lame. I put some Furazone and a bandage on it and wrapped both his hinds for the night. If he doesn't show more enthusiasm for his food in the morning, or trot sound, I'll call the vet.

I'm going over in my head all the things that could cause a lack of appetite.

We've had a sudden swing in weather... cold rain started yesterday. I put sheets on them and let them go out yesterday and today, but locked them in last night, as Rico will make Inky stand in the rain instead of letting him in his stall or under the shelter, and Inky looked miserable. Normally they're out 24/7.

I also double dosed him Wednesday with Oxibendazole. Has anyone ever had a horse go off its feed a few days after a worming. I've had them do it the next meal sometimes, but this is 48 hours later, so not sure, unless he was carrying an unusually heavy worm load? I double dosed him as his manure has started looking a little messier than usual.

He pooped and peed, was picking at his hay (normal for him) and gobbled up his nightly treat when I just went out to check on him at 10:30, but still hadn't finished his grain, although that could be because I tried to tempt him to take some bute mixed in applesauce with what he hadn't finished earlier. But he also hadn't drank any water. But again, that's normal for him, he'll usually drink a little less than 1/2 bucket at night. No temp, and HB/resp seems normal.

So.. am I a bad horse mom for waiting to see how he is in the morning, or should I panic and call the vet out tonight?

jaimebaker
Oct. 16, 2009, 11:18 PM
Ya know, most of the time I would say panic. If my horses ever go off of feed I get the vet out immediately. But, if he ate a treat and was nibbling at his hay (which you said was normal for him to nibble), that doesn't sound truly 'off his feed'. That sounds more like a horse that isn't happy with the taste of his food.

Since you just dewormed him, I'd point the finger directly at that. He might have had a die-off or his tummy just might not be right. I always give mine probiotics for several days after deworming to try to ward off the ickies. I'd say if he's still off tomorrow, you might want to put a call into the vet.

murphyluv
Oct. 16, 2009, 11:18 PM
what about gut sounds?
and why bute?

Trevelyan96
Oct. 16, 2009, 11:34 PM
what about gut sounds?
and why bute?

I tried the bute in case the cut on the paster was bothering him, but he's having non of it, so I will just scrub out his bucket in the morning and start fresh.

The worming is highest on my list of possible causes. Combined with the sudden change in weather, maybe it's just too much going on at once for him.

I will definitely call the vet tomorrow if he's appetite hasn't improved.

murphyluv
Oct. 16, 2009, 11:36 PM
Good, I would skip the bute- if it *were* a colic, that may complicate things.
Might want to just do one last check- but he is probably fine.

sdlbredfan
Oct. 16, 2009, 11:53 PM
I'd bet worm die-off from the worming too. Keep us posted on what Vet says, so we all can learn from this. Jingling for a good report....

eventgroupie2
Oct. 17, 2009, 07:20 AM
Any update this morning? Jingling your boy is back to normal.

horsegirl123
Oct. 17, 2009, 08:28 AM
I had a similar thing happen to my TB yesterday morning. I wormed the evening before since they were in because of the weather and rain. I think he was more interested and getting out for some freedom than eating. Just like a man. Dinner time he didn't leave a drop. I hope this is the same for you. Keep us posted.

JustJump
Oct. 17, 2009, 08:44 AM
Always take temp when a horse is suddenly off feed. It's the most easily measured vital indicator, and will tip you off to an infection, if present.

Never medicate without first speaking to a vet.

LauraKY
Oct. 17, 2009, 12:17 PM
Always take temp when a horse is suddenly off feed. It's the most easily measured vital indicator, and will tip you off to an infection, if present.

Never medicate without first speaking to a vet.

I believe she said temp was normal. I would have used banamine, though.

Buffyblue
Oct. 17, 2009, 07:44 PM
Update? Hope he's OK.

Trevelyan96
Oct. 17, 2009, 08:54 PM
His appetite was better this morning, and he ate his normal amount of hay over night.... not as enthusiastic as usual, but he did clean up his feed. He didn't drink any water over night, so I added 1/2 bucket to his feed and he still cleaned it up. :D Took his temp, 99. Did the skin pinch test and cap refill time, and both were normal. Trotted in hand sound, so I think the cut was incidental. Pooped and peed over night.

Called the vet, she says it was probably a worm die-off. Sort of makes me mad at myself... I do rotational worming every 2 months, but I probably should have done an FEC after getting the new horse. Made arrangements to drop off a sample next week. Drove up to Dover today to pick up a couple of tubes of probiotic, which is why I never got online. And I confess... I spent a whole lotta time there looking at saddles too, LOL! Its an hour drive, so I figured I'd kill 2 birds...

Tonight, he's completely back to normal, and I'm exhausted because I really did not sleep well last night. :D

jaimebaker
Oct. 17, 2009, 08:57 PM
Glad to hear he's doing well!

eventgroupie2
Oct. 17, 2009, 09:07 PM
Good report! Sleep well tonight :yes: