I really need some input

[heartkranch]

OK! If it is low minerals try offering them a bucket of water that has electrolites added. If they need the extra minerals they will drink it, but syptems of low levels of electrolites are prsented more like thumps, looks like they have the hiccups, then they have the seizures. I think it is something in the hay, feed, or in their paddock. Move them, Please.

They aren't in a paddock, in a stall, I just posted a picture.

 

[txminipinto]

What feed are you feeding and how much?

 

[Lizzie]

I know it has been two months now, but can you possibly remember what you brought in then? ie. new batch of hay, grain etc. If you keep receipts then this might help to discover. Like someone else said, I'm feeling it is something the older horses can overcome, but the young ones and dwarf cannot. I do know that many have found in recent months, that their formerly good quality hay, now has weeds and other nasties in it. With the draught, good quality hay is now difficult to find. I have heard some say, that farmers are cutting hay closer to fence edges, than before. This obviously to get as much as possible for sale and would probably pick up weeds which before might never had ended up in the hay we buy and use. It really does sound to me, like poisoning of some sort.

I'll keep the good thought that you can discover the cause of this. I know it must be incredibly scary for you. Do keep us posted.

Lizzie

 

[Riverrose28]

Let's try to narrow this down, they are not having seizures while outside? Or are they? They are having the seizures while in the stall? Have you changed bedding, something new? I posted before on things that cause seizures, so if none of them are present, and nothing is changed then I would recommend getting the vet out to examine the horses having seizures. If they continue to say a mineral imbalance then purchas some electolites from them and try that. No fever, no swellings in the throat? I think a Vet is your best bet.

 

[JMS Miniatures]

I'm not paticuarly fond of the Omelene feeds, or sweet feed in general, but they don't look bad in the picture. I wouldn't necessarly say it would be the grain but you can always call Purina and tell them whats going on and they would send a rep out and get a sample of the feed and see if anything is wrong with it. I contacted them after I had several colics all at once once they changed the formula to the Omelene feeds so they sent someone over but didn't find anything, but needless to say didn't feed Omelene or sweet feed again. I would also competely change the hay just incase and get your old hay tested. If it is low minerals you can always give them a mineral block see if that helps.

I would keep them out of that yard just incase, monitor them, check everything in that pen to make sure there is nothing in there that shouldn't be. Since both of them did it at the same time I imagine they must have ate something they shouldn't have. I also wish the vet would get some blood work done on at least one to see if it shows anything.

Good luck, I hope for a good outcome. Has to be real scary.

 

[heartkranch]

Let's try to narrow this down, they are not having seizures while outside? Or are they? They are having the seizures while in the stall? Have you changed bedding, something new? I posted before on things that cause seizures, so if none of them are present, and nothing is changed then I would recommend getting the vet out to examine the horses having seizures. If they continue to say a mineral imbalance then purchas some electolites from them and try that. No fever, no swellings in the throat? I think a Vet is your best bet.

He did examine them and their stall and paddock. He even looked at all the walls. He said he has no clue. But I will switch everything around tonight!

 

[supaspot]

I think you will find this helpful

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=410

 

[Riverrose28]

Just checking in, Hope all is quite tonight, and no more seizures. Please keep us updated on the progress! We are all concerned and hope for the best.

 

[Minimor]

If you're counting on the grain to provide all necessary minerals & vitamins, I would reconsider that--I don't believe that any grain contains all the minerals a horse needs to have everything in balance. The main ones are there, but there are many that are not. You should still provide some free choice minerals.

There are poisons that will cause convulsions--certain rodenticides and insecticides as well as mold toxins and some plant poisons. There is a pretty good list of those.

I can imagine how scary this is for you. One affected horse can be attributed to something wrong with that particular horse but when you've got 3 affected horses that are not related you can be sure it is some outside toxin. There is no painted surface that they are chewing on? Any wood that has been treated with creosote? No weeds at all in the hay? (look through a number of bales, not just the one that is open at this particular moment) No weeds they can chew on during turnout? Absolutely no chance at all that they ate some rodenticide--none of that in use anywhere on the property, not even in a place believed to be inaccessible to the horses? No treated seed grain stored anywhere on the property? (though I think that one would have been deadly by now). I hope you can get this figured out!

 

[stormy]

So a couple other ideas to check....where do you get your bedding...looks like sawdust or shavings....if it is not bagged shavings is it possible there is walnut, cherry or other hardwoods in it?

Organophophates..wormers...insecticides

 

[wildoak]

We had a colt last year have seizures at about 4 days old...A&M checked him thoroughly and couldn't find anything wrong, but they stopped at about 8 days, just as quickly as they started. Never solved it, just guessing it was a pinched nerve or something physical. Can't imagine having three of them - it was frightening to watch just one.

What did your vet recommend in the way of minerals, free choice or direct supplementing? How long has it been going on?

Jan

 

[Eagle]

I am still sending my prayers that they all get better very soon.

Renee.

 

[noblebrook]

Has a farmer sprayed recently around you. I had 2 mares have seizures after a spraying near me.

 

[midnight star stables]

Hoping they pull through okay! I have no help to offer, but that would be very scary so I hope they improve. Sending prayers!

 

[heartkranch]

I decided to have my vet out to watch them when I let them out so he could see what they did, he's seen the dwarf do it, but not the other. Everynight they run around the barn while I clean, usually a couple of seizures happen.. Well...

Not even the dwarf had a seizure,

, I spent so much money yesterday and didn't put anything to use yet. I went ahead and stripped the stall, changed all buckets. Who knows what's truly going one. It was a regular event to see them have a seizure, but nothing last night. I'm happy, just wth is going on!

 

[Eagle]

well that's great news, lets hope it is all over, you may never find out why it happened but as long as they are better.

I will continue to pray for them all

 

[Riverrose28]

Thank you for the update. Sorry it has cost you extra, but hopfully now you can relaxe just a bit. Hope your troubles are over. It's so hard when our babies aren't well.

 

[heartkranch]

Thank you for the update. Sorry it has cost you extra, but hopfully now you can relaxe just a bit. Hope your troubles are over. It's so hard when our babies aren't well.

Yep the vet is going to keep coming by everynight to see if they show signs. He is just shaking his head last night while they were running.

 

[REO]

Kara I'm just wondering (trying to help)

I don't mean the dwarf, I mean the others....

When they did it before, was it daylight outside? I mean, could it be caused by them going from a dim barn to suddenly out into bright sun that causes it? And when the vet is there it is darker outside so it doesn't happen then?

 

[heartkranch]

No I remember it happens at anytime when they are running, last night they were in a dark paddock from a fully lighted barn. Who knows