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My Charley is sick

4K views 39 replies 10 participants last post by  Charley horse 
#1 ·
I noticed Friday morning after I went down to feed horses to turn them out to pasture that my Charley did not touch one bite of his food.
Not one bite...."Red Flag!" I went in his quarters to check him out and he was yawning, head down, few front foot stomps here and there..."Crap!"
I walked him around a bit and he was totally not himself..After a while I gave him a shot of Banamine and walked him around some more..He's drinking water. "Good!" I was hoping the colic would have passed he didnt seem that urgent with pain I could tell though he was off and not himself.
I cleaned out his feed bucket and didnt feed him that Fri night because I wanted to make sure he can pass doodles...
Okay, next morning gave him a little to eat and he ate well..But still didnt finish his feed..I thought I'll keep a close eye on him this weekend...And I did....He's eating and drinking and doodling...But not finishing all his feed like usual..I am worried because he is dropping weight fast....First of this month he was 1135lbs and as of today he is 1097lbs...:-:)-:)-(
Calling a vet tomorrow morning wish us luck!
He acts like he wants to eat and will take a bite here and there but does not stay there over his feed and eat. He takes a bite and walks away and then walks back to feed.
That Fri evening I took his temp and he was at 104 - I dont know how accurate that was because it was a hot day..I am so freaking out over this right now and cant wait for Monday to get here!
 

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#2 ·
He is current with shots and worming, I havent changed nothing w/his feed..I also did a fecal test to check for sand and found only a little pinch of sand from about four balls off doodles..I bought some sand clear this weekend just in case to try before having a vet come out..I am just going to call tomorrow I am to worried..
 
#9 ·
I am so hoping you all are right and it is teeth!!! "That would make me happy!"
He has just turned five this March so that is a possibility..
I think for sure though Friday those were signs of a mild colic I was seeing.
Maybe he was unable to chew his food right which made the colic???? Gawd, I hope thats what it is..I checked his gums to look for color Sunday but was unable to totally check out his teeth. I'll make the call this morning and see when the vet can come out..Till then I'll watch him this morning when I feed and see how he is doing.
 
#13 ·
Skyseternalangel yes, only in his quarters where I keep him locked in at night and through the mornings till after feeding time. Then they are let out to pasture. It is sandy like a sand..."Why I have such a hard time w/cracks on his feet-I think. So I have shoes put on him this time of yr."
But yea, this time of year right now everything is yellow no green and their pads are sandy..These photo's were taken in May or April this yr.
 

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#14 ·
If his teeth were last done 2 years ago I can almost bet he has some sharp points, hooks or ulcers in there. So it's best to call an equine dentist and get them done anyway, and also get them to check and ensure that his wolf teeth have been removed (if you ride with a bit)

I got a mare back in August last year, and finally was able to get her teeth done a few months ago, she had the biggest hooks the dentist had seen in a while, like when I saw big, I mean that the front and the back of her rear set of teeth were over double the length that they should have been, this was causing her to drop a substantial amount of food because it was effectively making her jaw misaligned. Her front teeth weren't meeting correctly due to the back teeth hooks.
It's definately worth getting the teeth done anyway, the can cause so many issues.

My gelding choked about a week before he had his teeth done, it was so scary to watch, but it was only a minor episode, though it wasn't related to his teeth as they were pretty good.
 
#15 ·
Hollybubbles how scary with your gelding choking!! I will for sure make sure the vet looks at his teeth when he comes out..I would imagine w/my complaint they will check his gut for sounds, temp..Teeth...And maybe a blood test??? Not sure?? But will make sure he dont forget to look at teeth..I am not sure about his wolf teeth either?? Maybe they will check for parasites too in a stool sample "If we are lucky enough to find a fresh batch" But really I dont think its the parasites because I am on top of all that.
 
#17 ·
It was scary for sure, I'm just lucky I was there and could help him along with it.

They should check all vitals, but here blood tests are not taken unless they are specifically asked for, so be sure to voice whatever you want done as extras. It won't hurt to get them to do an egg count anyway if you want to just in case, since some worms are not killed by certain products.
If necessary, write down a list of questions that you feel need asking, because if your anything like me, the vet will leave, then later on in the afternoon you will go "aww shoot, I was meant to ask about....." :lol:
 
#19 ·
I undid both of his covers chest straps and massaged his gullet, from right under his jaw right down into his chest. He actually lay his front end down on the ground and was making awful retching/coughing noises, and swallowing loudly but I couldn't see his throat moving. It took a few minutes to get him sorted but we did it.

Yep, hook a notepad and pen to the fridge or something so you can right down questions as you think of them. If they take all the vitals you can always make a note of them also, then if they are all normal you know what is normal for him in particular, it's always helpful when you suspect something is wrong in the future. All 3 of my horses have their own health diaries where I record everything from their name and microchip numbers, to their normal vitals, changes in diet, any signs of pain or issues with rides etc, along with the dates of everything. It really helps me keep track of when/why something starts if I notice something off. (But I'm a little OCD with my babies haha, just a little)

Story of my life :lol: don't you hate that, you always think of the most amazing comebacks when it's too late to say them!!
 
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#20 ·
I am kinda the same I have a online calendar I keep track of all worming, weight, feed, shots, ect~ I have been so on top of everything thats why I am freaked out about this episode Friday w/Colic and now..It happens so fast!

((So scarey with the choking!))
 
#21 ·
You can check to see if the molars are sharp by slipping your finger in his mouth along the inside of his mouth and feel the teeth. Otherwise, if that is not an option because he is not cooperative or quiet enough, Charley Horse, and the molars are particularly sharp you are still able to feel that by running your fingers along the outside of the mouth. FWIW, I have my horses' teeth floated on a yearly basis and I have one that almost needs them done twice a year.
 
#22 ·
Went down to feed this morning, he is eating...I took his temp at 98
Called the vet's office to let them know what is going on..They would see him today but I cant get him down there so he will be here Wed to see Charley..

Chevaux I had thought about that once everyone mentioned his teeth.
He may not be two yrs late on that - I may have figured wrong..
Ive had him a year now and when I got him from her she said all that was done he is up to date..So if he's due it would be due now by not so late.

Doc will be here Wed. I'll see how much of his feed he ate this morning here in a bit when I go down to let him out..
20lbs gone in 7seven days:shock:
 
#24 ·
What I googled -
A. For an adult horse, any body temperature at or below 101.5 F is considered normal. Just like humans, equines thermoregulate, which means their bodies maintain a constant internal temperature, regardless of the temperature of the surrounding environment. Individual horses’ normal temperatures may vary, but we only worry about them getting too low when horses are sick enough to be in circulatory or septic shock. In horses that appear healthy otherwise, there’s no such thing as a temperature that’s too low.

Readings above 101.5 degrees, on the other hand, are cause for concern. Strenuous exercise can raise your horse’s body temperature by a few degrees, but that should return to normal within 90 minutes of finishing the exercise. If it remains elevated for longer than that, he may be dealing with an underlying illness or he may suffer from anhidrosis, a condition in which horses lose the ability to cool themselves by sweating.
 
#28 ·
Nooooooooooo no no no Skyster....Ive been around the block a time or two and no dont feed off the ground ha ha...No
If he eats off the ground its what he dropped down there to pick up..
Pony no crib biting either..He has salt and mineral blocks all throughout the place. He has no boredom with two pasture buddies and 40acres to run on. Those are both good points to think of but we are not in that area...Watching him this morning eat his soaked cubes I am leaning more towards his teeth bothering him because he is dropping food..And acting kinda funny when eating. On a good note he did eat all his breakfast so I am happy :)) Just waiting for Wed to get here unless I can come up with a buddy that has a trlr to take him down for me to the vet.
 
#30 ·
A temp of 98 is just fine on a mature horse.

I would carefully watch his gums. You want pink gums --- not pale white or blue.

You want to be able to push a thumb into a horse's upper gums just above his teeth and have the spot turn white. Then, you see how long it takes the white spot to turn back to pink. It is called 'capillary refill time'. Gums that are blue or dark pink and do not have a quick capillary refill time indicate a Vet emergency and the horse needs quick attention.

Is he passing normal fecal material and do you hear gut noises when you put your ear to his belly behind his last rib? Again, Vet emergency if these answers are no and no.
 
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