my gelding is very sick, please read!!!

Hi guys, my Dad has a 12 year old gelding and in the past few days he's been sick. Today he's gone down about 9 different times, is very lethargic and isn't eating much. We've talked to many different sources including vets and they are say it might be colic but he's not coughing or scratching at his belly. His back legs have gotten very sweaty, but then dry quickly. We tried getting him in a horse trailor with no success, we think the trailor just might be too small. He's a big guy, about 15 hands and kept bumping his head on the roof of the trailor, getting spooked and then backing away. Does anyone know what we should do? There's no vets available to come take a look at him at this time. Should we maybe just wait it out or maybe try and find a bigger horsetrailor? I talked to one vet that said we should drug him but another vet said if we did that, his legs aren't going to cooperate and we wouldn't be able to get him into a trailor...please help!! Any ideas or suggestions will be helpful! Thank you!!

Sounds like your horse is in SERIOUS trouble. You NEED to get a vet's attention NOW. I don't usually post so emphatically about getting a vet, but find a way.

Why won't the vets come out? Can you get a stock trailer instead of a horse trailer, or a bigger horse trailer while you can still get him moving?

Has he been drinking? Urinating? Defacating? It may well be colic or it could be something else. Not all colics show the same symptoms. It sounds like he could be in shock now from whatever started this -- whether colic or something else. Are his gums pink? Do they pink up right away if you do a pressure test? Is there moisture on his gums? His eyes? What is his pulse rate? What is his breathing rate?

If he is in shock, he is hours from death at most without immediate treatment. Shock is NOT a wait and see situation -- if you wait, you will see him die.

Get off the 'net and get help!

Good luck! I hope it all turns out ok.

That sounds like colic to me. Did the vet recommend giving him banamine? I have heard that it relieves the pain and the muscle cramping and maybe the intestinal issue will resolve itself. Will he drink anything? Is he manuring at all.? Are his respirations elevated? Temp? Are his gums whiter than normal? Is her groaning? Have you listended for gut sounds on both sides of his abdomin?

Please contact a vet ASAP!

I agree, you shouldn't be looking for advice on a forum, you should be looking for advice from a Professional.

All the best!

I agree with the above post. You need a vet ASAP. If you can't get one to come out to your place then find someone with a trailer now.

NO ADVICE! GET A VET! This has been going on for days/!?!??! Are you serious?!?!! Get a vet NOW!

I would only suggest the banamine if you cannot get a vet or to a vet. I agree that the situation sounds dire . I hope you will get help.
Keep us posted after the emergency is attended to. Prayers for you!

Get a vet and get him up and walking. It could be something or nothing.

Do not walk him to death. Take him on one trip around the pasture, stop, check his symptoms, temp, and vitals. If he's still acting strange, walk him again. Stop, check. Walk again, stop check. Etc.

Sometimes that's all you need to get his bowels moving. Had a strange bout of colic with my pony gelding recently, just needed to poop. A few minutes walking took care of it.

M2G -- walking may not be the best thing at this time. If the horse is in shock, walking will only cause faster deterioration. Even if it's been caused by colic. The shock must be treated first.

Hopefully Mccain got some help in the last few minutes...

Yep, get a vet. This is a very serious situation that could very possibly result in his death if you don't get professional help for him right now. If your nearest vet won't see him, then call others. If he won't get in your trailer, try to find a friend with a bigger or stock trailer. I'm sorry to be so blunt but if you won't fight to get him some help then it would be more humane to just finish his misery before he suffers any more. There are so many things that it could be ranging from colic and/or twisted gut to west nile to some kind of infection or tumor, none of which will get any better without a vet's help.