Melody is off of her feed this morning:(

[Brandi*]

I went out to feed Melody this morning and she just kinda walked slowly out of her stall and stood there. Even when I brought her breakfast in she went and smelt it and then just walked away. She seems to be very lathargic and has coughed three times. They were all at the same time so maybe that was nothing. She keeps opening her mouth and playing with her tongue. And her mouth sounds very smacky like its dry. I opened her mouth to see if anything was stuck in there but didn't see anything. She is not sunken in and her nose isn't running. I don't think it's colic because she isn't rolling, biting at her sides or breathing any different. She also had a few piles of poop in her stall from last night. She just acts like she doesn't feel good. So what should I do. I just put a call into the vet and they are supposed to call me back in a few minutes. What should I be looking for? I tried to take her temp but wasn't successful. I didn't get a reading. Hopefully the vet tech will call back soon and inform me of what to be looking for.

 

[bevann]

Sounds like colic to me,I'm not a vet,just lots of colic experience.I always keep electrolyte paste on hand.Tacky gums means not enough water intake.electrolyte paste in the mouth will help and make them drink more.Colic does not always mean rolling.You may have caught it early which is really good.Early colics are easier to resolve than later. Good luck

 

[Miniv]

It's important to get a temp..........You may just be dealing with a flu virus.

My concern when a sick horse goes off their feed is either Strangles or Hyperlipemia. (The latter is often a secondary condition from the original and can be overlooked by vets.) Hyperlipemia -- Fatty Liver Desease, can be diagnosed by a blood test.

Don't want to scare you..........because it could be just something simple like the flu.

MA

 

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

any updates yet?

 

[Marty]

With her tongue doing that and the coughing this could also be CHOKE

watch her nostrils for anything coming from there too

It also could be

A colic- could she be eating her bedding or wood in the stall? (also cause of choke)

B ulcers from stress, worry etc. depression

C the coughing also could be lung worms

D I'd be getting her to the vet before the symptoms increase

Best wishes for a speedy recovery

 

[Mona]

I wonder if maybe she has something lodged in her cheek between her gum and inside cheek? Sounds like she may be trying to free with with her tongue wiggling and mouth smacking, or maybe even a sharp tooth. Can you (CAREFULLY) slide your fingers along the outside of her teeth(inside her mouth) all the way to the back, top and bottom and both sides, to see if you can feel anything in there? Sometimes you cannot always see what you can feel. Good Luck!

 

[whimsical]

I agree getting a temp is vital. Sometimes they can be running a slight fever and they won't eat or drink, which only makes things worse because they become dehydrated.

Please let us know what the vet says

 

[Brandi*]

Ok so the vet tech said that she is probably having a mild colic. Melody is eating grass and the the tech recommended that I allow her to continue but told me to remove her pellets. She has drank quite a bit since I first posted this. She also just passed stool. It was a bit different in color, slimyer and a little smaller then usual but it was solid. She still doesn't act like she feels good so I am keeping an eye on her. Her breathing does seem like it has become a little heavier. She hasn't done the tongue thing anymore and as far as her teeth being sharp, I just had them checked three weeks ago. I am quite sure that she does eat her shavings, I just don't know how much. I have seen her nibble them in the past. They recommended that I wait a few hours and watch her. If she gets any worse I will have to do a ranch call since I don't have a trailer yet That is all for now. I am going to run down to the store and pick up a thermometer that works. Thanks for your help!

I don't want to make this into something more then it really is but I think it is worth asking. I went to the auction last Saturday night. Could this possibly be something that I brought home with me. Can that happen? I made sure and took a shower and changed clothes before going out to feed her. Just checking.

Thanks

 

[babygoose]

I think slimy manure is an indication of a slowed down and irritated gut. Fall is a time of year when colic is a little more common. The temps get cooler and horses don't drink as much. Once she is back to normal, try adding a little salt with her feed to encourage her to drink more. Even sprinkling some on her hay will make her feel more thirsty.

Keeping you and Melody in my thoughts. I have a draft cross mare that coliced about every week to every other week for a couple months. She was purchased at an auction and turns out she was very infested with worms. So I know how scary colic can be.

 

[Reijel's Mom]

Yawning and playing with their mouths can be a sign of pain in horses. I hope your girl is doing ok.

 

[Jill]

Hi, Brandi --

Yes, it does sound like a mild colic. Colic really can be "just" a stomach ache.

Are their accorns she's been eating? It's that time of year here and accorns can cause colic, I think especially in younger horses. We had one of only 2 colics on our property due to a yearling eating a lot of accorns before we knew we should get them up as much as possible. (he was okay w/ just mild treatment w/ a shot of banamine).

Jill

 

[Brandi*]

We don't have any acorns around here. She is breathing harder now but still calm. That's all the update for now. I am going to take her for a walk and see if she wants anymore grass and try to get her to drink.

 

[Brandi*]

I took her for another walk and she enjoyed some grass along the way. She also drank some more water which made me happy

: But she's just dragging butt so much. When I put her back in her pen she just went and stood in her corner in the shade. Oh and I forgot to mention that her temp was just under 104. The vet tech said that that was ok at this point. So for now I am just letting her rest. I will check on her every so often but I need a break too. I am driving myself crazy lol Our cowboy neighbor said she looked fine to him but he doesn't know her like I do. I think he lets his horses go until their on their last leg before treating them. He said one of his horses broke out with strangles last week and that he didn't treat him with antibiotics. He let him swell up really big until it poped. He says thats the old timers way of doing it to insure the horse doesn't get it again. He lives across the street and Melody has had no contact with those horses so I wouldn't think she was exposed. It sounds kinda dangerous to me

: But what do I know. Anyways, for now I am just gonna keep a close watch on her and stop over reacting.

P.S. If everything stays the same should I feed her tonight? She must be hungry.

 

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

wwell 103 or 104 is for sure a fever and above normal which is why she is dragging and a bit off or at least one reason why. She should have something at some point to bring down her temp. I think the vet should really come out and look at her could be a virus , could be an infection could be a lot of things need to find out for sure to treat the correct way

I just read your neighbor has strangles it is highly contagious and if he looked at or touched your horse o r you touched his or something they touched or dripped there pus on then odds are that is what you have going on here

 

[maplegum]

Hi,

I've just been through something simular with Bailey. He had the same kind of symptons but with an elevated temperature. He was not interested in eating his grain or hay, but would nibble on some grass quite happily.

Have you introduced any new feed to her recently? I'm asking this question as that is the reason Bailey got sick. Too much lucerne/alfalpha too soon. It sent his enzymes into overload.

I'm thinking of you, hoping for a speedy recovery. I was also worried sick about my little guy. It's jus what we do when we love them so much!

:

 

[runamuk]

I took her for another walk and she enjoyed some grass along the way. She also drank some more water which made me happy

: But she's just dragging butt so much. When I put her back in her pen she just went and stood in her corner in the shade. Oh and I forgot to mention that her temp was just under 104. The vet tech said that that was ok at this point. So for now I am just letting her rest. I will check on her every so often but I need a break too. I am driving myself crazy lol Our cowboy neighbor said she looked fine to him but he doesn't know her like I do. I think he lets his horses go until their on their last leg before treating them. He said one of his horses broke out with strangles last week and that he didn't treat him with antibiotics. He let him swell up really big until it poped. He says thats the old timers way of doing it to insure the horse doesn't get it again. He lives across the street and Melody has had no contact with those horses so I wouldn't think she was exposed. It sounds kinda dangerous to me

: But what do I know. Anyways, for now I am just gonna keep a close watch on her and stop over reacting.

P.S. If everything stays the same should I feed her tonight? She must be hungry.

I think based on the fever and the previous snot and now the colicky symptoms you definately have some crud....could be flu, could be strangles. I'd be getting the vet out to determine what and a course of treatment. Strangles is extremely contagious and can be picked up on shoes tires etc.....it also can rupture inside the horse with few outward signs prior to sudden death.

 

[shelia]

You are not over reacting! I can't beleive the vet tech isn't worried about a temp that high! The neighbors horses had to catch strangles from somewhere and it is possible that he could have brought it over with him. An animal traveling around the properties could have carried it over. When it is cool and damp the viruses can live longer and be transmitted easier. Even a cat prowling around at night could have been sneezed on and then came to your place and rubbed against somthing.

He didn't even suggest banamine to bring down the fever!?? Did he suggest a blood test? Some vets say it is better to let it run it's course, but I still don't understand why he would not want you to bring the temp down? Did he say how high the temp should be before you call? Did he say how often you should take her temp? I suppose it could just be mild colic, but I would sure keep checking her temp and keep a close eye on her!

Shelia

 

[Brandi*]

They didn't recommend that I give her anything. They just said to keep an eye on her temp. I have put a call in to the vet to see if I can get him out here. I have had some people tell me just to wait it out but she is just not right. She moved her mouth and tongue around again in a wierd way and I am just worried its something that needs to be treated right away. When I went out to check her temp again she was lying down. She got up and pooped again so that was good. But her breathing is still labored and I can't stand it anymore. I would rather spend the money just to know she is ok. He can tell me I'm over reacting when he gets here if he wants.

: Hopefully they will call me back soon.

Oh and her temp was around 103 this time.

Thanks for all your support today

:

 

[Marty]

Hi Gal. Welcome to the world of "When horses get sick........."

This is what happens every now and then to all of us.

Sick horses are just like little children, they definately can put you out, and wear you out.

You don't get to continue your plans, go to work, get any sleep, etc. Instead you are out there with the horse freezing to death or getting soaked in the rain, whatever.

You shove toothpics in your eyes and load up on coffee (in Lisa's case chocolate) and hope your vet knows what they are doing on the first try and if not, prepare for the long haul.

But it's not a thankless job.

When Melody gets better, she'll look up to you with those gorgeous eyes and they will be saying "Thanks Mommy"

Best wishes for a speedy recovery

 

[Brandi*]

The vet is on his way :bgrin