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  Discussion on Gut Problem.
Author Message
Member:
redback

Posted on Sunday, Jun 15, 2008 - 5:22 pm:

Hi All:
My 5yo mare is at a trainer and has been doing hard work. During the last week she has gone off her feed, is irritable,frequently kicking out, drinking little water, performing very poorly, her manure is runny and watery. Her urine appears concentrated. She has a tucked in appearance in her stomach area. She has always been a picky and low eater. We have constantly treated her for ulcers although we have not scoped her.
When visiting the trainer I found that he had been soaking lupins overnight and feeding this to her as well as racing formula's. She is given quite a bit of lucerne(alfalfa)hay. I told the trainer to take her off the soaked lupins and she is eating again. But still has the other symptoms. What should I do?

Thanks
Geoff
Member:
ekaufman

Posted on Sunday, Jun 15, 2008 - 7:52 pm:

Hi Geoff,

How are her vitals? Any fever or other indications of problems? Is she lame or just unwilling? Are any other horses unwell at the facility?

There are a lot of possibilities to consider-- a sudden change in work, in feed, in environment, in management, and (I assume) in potential illness exposure from other horses could have caused any number of things that might cause these symptoms.

She could be sick, sore, or stressed. It will take more data for you and the trainer to figure it out, I imagine. If it were me, I'd try to bring her feed from home and add volume, if possible, to accommodate the new work. Then at least you eliminate a change in feed from the equation. After that, a careful exam should help separate sick from sore or stressed, I hope.

Good luck with her. Let us know how she gets along.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jun 16, 2008 - 7:20 am:

Hello Geoff,
It is not clear from your post what your mare may be suffering from so your first step should be a good examination by a equine veterinarian. Your history and symptoms are consistent with gastric ulcers but this is not a diagnosis and delaying a good examine may put her at risk. For more on ulcers see Diseases of Horses » Colic, Diarrhea, GI Tract » Gastric Ulcers » Gastric Ulcers in Adult Horses.
DrO
Member:
redback

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 - 3:36 am:

Hi Elizabeth and DrO:
Thank you for your feedback. We got full blood tests and it showed a high white blood cell count and the things that indicate a struggling liver. The vet and the trainer are treating her with antibiotics and a cocktail of drugs to help the liver. We have also gone back to grass hay and micronised hard feed.

Regards
Geoff
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 - 6:38 am:

What is the operating diagnosis Geoff?
DrO
Member:
redback

Posted on Friday, Jun 20, 2008 - 5:17 am:

Hi Dr O:
I'm not sure that I can answer that. The Vet and blood expert say she has an infection that is internal. One vet fancied lung type infection although she has shown no other signs of that. The blood experts were working on a gut flora issue. The program of antibiotics no doubt should help with both. As we don't have a clear cause I guess we may only be treating symptoms. There could be more to the story! I'll certainly come back for advice if something develops.
They say it will be a week before we can expect improvement.

Regards
Geoff
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