[SIZE=12pt]Okay...this is a bit long, but I need help.[/SIZE]
BEAMER
2.5 year old gelding, ~approx. 31inches~
(He lives at my home barn with another mini gelding.)
EXTRA BACKGROUND INFO
In August, within about a 3-week span, he had SEVERE muscle mass loss...we called the vet out as soon as we could (it happened so fast) and he was body condition scored at a 1.5. (Dr. M is a very reputable vet in our area.) We found out that he has equine motor neuron disease. Dr. M has taken blood tests 2 times so far (coming out once more this month for another) and both times he had low Vitamin E, liver DVT, and white blood cell count. He didn't even get his fall shots, because Dr. M said it was not a good idea to test his ailing system. (Not like he's going anywhere, anyways, in this condition.)
He is currently still taking weight builder, SMZ's, Vitamin E, and probyos. He has free choice hay that he gobbles up (at least he still has an appetite, thank goodness), and has about ten ounces of Purina Senior Feed two times daily (so 20oz per day). We have been slowly increasing since September. Dr. M said there was a chance of foundering him, but she said we had to take our chances because the winters here are not exactly a walk in the park.
By November, he had gained about 15 pounds, give or take a few. (The first month, a different vet had come out and I think measured a bit differently.)
He's been improving a lot since then, too, I have yet to go out and measure again--a few weeks ago, he was around 175lbs. However, the vet wants him to ideally build up to 250lbs, give or take a few.
NEW CONCERNS
Its been about 10degrees F the last several days with snow and major wind chills, and, not having an indoor arena, I just take either horse out into the empty garage and walk him/do little obstactle courses at an easy walk just to exercise their minds and get them out of their stalls.
(Beamer has been blanketed, of course.)
Today I was grooming him and I noticed heat in his hoof (right front specifically). He doesn't appear lame at the Walk, at least, but I have yet to go out and trot him (I wanted to post this as soon as I could.)
I don't have an extra hand this minute, so I tried walking him and watching his feet at the same time (not an easy thing to do in either the crammed slippery garage, or outside where the snow comes up to Beamer's hocks
lol) So That I'm going to retry when I have an extra hand later tonight.
I did take his temp--it was 100.1 degrees F.
[SIZE=14pt]FIRST QUESTION I HAVE IS: Before I run back out into the frigid blizzard aka the walk to my barn, are there any other things I should check?[/SIZE]
I will go do those things, report back and then my second question will be if you have any thoughts on if I should be worried or if I need to take any action.
THANK YOU. This means a lot to me.
--TheGoldenFilly
BEAMER
2.5 year old gelding, ~approx. 31inches~
(He lives at my home barn with another mini gelding.)
EXTRA BACKGROUND INFO
In August, within about a 3-week span, he had SEVERE muscle mass loss...we called the vet out as soon as we could (it happened so fast) and he was body condition scored at a 1.5. (Dr. M is a very reputable vet in our area.) We found out that he has equine motor neuron disease. Dr. M has taken blood tests 2 times so far (coming out once more this month for another) and both times he had low Vitamin E, liver DVT, and white blood cell count. He didn't even get his fall shots, because Dr. M said it was not a good idea to test his ailing system. (Not like he's going anywhere, anyways, in this condition.)
He is currently still taking weight builder, SMZ's, Vitamin E, and probyos. He has free choice hay that he gobbles up (at least he still has an appetite, thank goodness), and has about ten ounces of Purina Senior Feed two times daily (so 20oz per day). We have been slowly increasing since September. Dr. M said there was a chance of foundering him, but she said we had to take our chances because the winters here are not exactly a walk in the park.
By November, he had gained about 15 pounds, give or take a few. (The first month, a different vet had come out and I think measured a bit differently.)
He's been improving a lot since then, too, I have yet to go out and measure again--a few weeks ago, he was around 175lbs. However, the vet wants him to ideally build up to 250lbs, give or take a few.
NEW CONCERNS
Its been about 10degrees F the last several days with snow and major wind chills, and, not having an indoor arena, I just take either horse out into the empty garage and walk him/do little obstactle courses at an easy walk just to exercise their minds and get them out of their stalls.
(Beamer has been blanketed, of course.)
Today I was grooming him and I noticed heat in his hoof (right front specifically). He doesn't appear lame at the Walk, at least, but I have yet to go out and trot him (I wanted to post this as soon as I could.)
I don't have an extra hand this minute, so I tried walking him and watching his feet at the same time (not an easy thing to do in either the crammed slippery garage, or outside where the snow comes up to Beamer's hocks
I did take his temp--it was 100.1 degrees F.
[SIZE=14pt]FIRST QUESTION I HAVE IS: Before I run back out into the frigid blizzard aka the walk to my barn, are there any other things I should check?[/SIZE]
I will go do those things, report back and then my second question will be if you have any thoughts on if I should be worried or if I need to take any action.
THANK YOU. This means a lot to me.
--TheGoldenFilly
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