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Post by bramblesmum on Jan 5, 2012 9:53:19 GMT 1
I need help, Aimee came to me very poor but since has failed to put on weight she has no body score, there is nothing left to loose, she is on ad lib haylage and has been on speedibeet as a buildup feed (other ones have just gone straight through her) shes very low in herself but loves people and perks up and is into everything when i'm there.
In the last month she has rapidly lost weight she has also had two serious bouts of colic where she displaced her stomach. She has been under the vet some time but due to the colics I have been chasing to get tests done to work out why the weight loss.
She is a tiny bit anaemic but otherwise heart, liver kidneys etc all 100% blood panel clear except for the slight anaemia, she has had worm samples come back clear, the vets have now said to pop her on course of steroids and if she doesn't pick up pts is the only way forward.
Is there anything else I can suggest to them that would be causing the emaciation? I have suggested hind gut and ulcers but the vet has said she shows none of the symptoms for these and that they can't be the cause.
I just don't want to put a 4yr old down who since leaving racing has finally found happiness even if not health.
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Post by apacherose on Jan 5, 2012 10:01:56 GMT 1
what worm samples have been taken? If only from droppings they may not show up red worms that have migrated elsewhere.
Have you had her teeth checked? She may have a problem there that is hindering her eating.
Have you spoken to someone from a feed company to get some advice? They might be able to advise you on a feed to help build her up. Lots of small feeds a day rather than bigger ones.
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Post by bramblesmum on Jan 5, 2012 10:04:25 GMT 1
the vet took a dung sample, he is popping a 5 day panacur in with the steroids to collect this morning just to be 100% certain, I have a friend who does teeth, vet has checked but i'll get her second opinion to be on safe side, sorry forgot to say earlier, she has solid poos x
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Post by poppyandbea on Jan 5, 2012 10:11:50 GMT 1
just another thought but could she have a feed intollerence to some thing meaning she cant digest certain feeds i know with poppy shes got an allergy to all cereals and sugar beet and althought her droppings were fine when i fed it until i got results back she didnt look right and her coat went but droppings were normal just another idea the only thing i found i could feed poppy was winergy low might be another route to try
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Post by irishcob on Jan 5, 2012 10:14:59 GMT 1
Out of interest, why are you using Speedibeet as a build up feed? Although a good source of fibre, it's about 95% water when fed, so just bulks out the feed but not much else from a nutritional point of view.
I'd be thinking about using conditioning feeds, designed specifically to help. There are of course a miriad of brands and types on the market, but I've always found the free TopSpec feed helpline (01845 565030) really useful, and they certainly know their stuff.
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Post by apacherose on Jan 5, 2012 10:15:04 GMT 1
What other reason has the vet given that could cause anaemia other than redworms?
How is she kept? Does she live in or out?
Hopefully the panacur guard will help.
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Post by horsefeed on Jan 5, 2012 10:21:48 GMT 1
Is she an ex-racer? How long has she been out if racing? So I am told by my vet the 1st winter out of racing is always hell and a massive struggle to get and hold weight. We have had 3 ex-racer straight of track in recent years and 1st winters they have all looked like hat racks despite huge amounts of feed, 2nd winter they hold slightly better and by 3rd winter you should be ok I know of another 2 TB's that were same in 1st winter and a friend that works at Heros say they continue to feed race horse feeds until the following spring to try and conteract the weight lose. I have also found with the 2 TB's we currently have they hold weight far better on hay then haylage and I feed Hilton Herbs Gastri-x to all ex-racers as standard due to the diets they had as babies I feel it can do no harm Good Luck with her, struggle through to spring and she will perk up on nice grass
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Post by taklishim on Jan 5, 2012 10:27:55 GMT 1
can I suggest that you put her on charcoal for a month to try? I know your vet thinks you haven't got a gut problem but you never know.
I use charcoal very effectively for one horse with gut problems. I feed it ONCE a day. (ie his full daily ration in one dose) as this have turned out to be far more effective then putting it in his 2 daily feeds.
I then put all supplements in the other feed. I get the charcoal from stable label. There is a lot of info on their site about using it for colic. I appreciate that a lot of info on sites is simply to promote their products but I have found that, for those that need it, charcoal can be a godsend. Keep charcoal well away from worming if you try it ie give a couple of days after your 5 day course before the charcoal.
If you can get her to eat it then coolstance copra may be good to get weight on.
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Post by specialsparkle3 on Jan 5, 2012 10:28:25 GMT 1
I agree with Irishcob Why ever are you wasting space in her stomach with Sugar beet? Horses can only properly digest hard feeds of up to 3 lbs in volume so in a horse like this ( just like brood mares near to foaling ) to waste part of that volume allowance with something that is so bulky and has such low nutritional value is counter productive. She obviously needs feeding little and often ------------ probably 4 feeds a day, with a good nutritional food that will all be utilized in building her up, not just filling her stomach. Personally, I would use something like a little Alfa A which has a high slow release protein value as a base for other food, and damp the food with warm water. I also agree that a phone call to Top Spec or D &H both of whom are exceptionally helpful would be the way to go
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Post by bramblesmum on Jan 5, 2012 10:37:34 GMT 1
It was vet suggestion the speedibeet, have sent off requests to feed companies for feed suggestions and racehorse rescue have been absolutly wonderful help and are calling me back with ideas on a feed plan too. I can change to hay for her if you think it worthwhile not a prob at all.
Currently before the colics she was out 9 - 3 in a field which has grass in (but obv not nutritional atm) she then comes in at night and has ad lib haylage (cannot finish what I give her) i've had her turned out on the yard since the colics as I wasnt sure if the grass was the issue, she has had haylage on there too.
Vet has no other idea re anaemia, trying the wormer just to make sure was his suggestion
She last raced summer 2010 but was in training until summer 2011 if that is any help?
Will give the charcoal a go thanks for that she has been on gastri x as that was my first thought when she came to me skinny.
Seems the vet has written her off, but just upsets me that hed give up on a 4yr old.
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Post by specialsparkle3 on Jan 5, 2012 10:46:53 GMT 1
Sorry Bramblesmum, but in my experience, vets are the worst people to give advice on feeding. Speak to a good nutritionist and tell her/him in detail what is happening, but do speak to a GOOD one, not one who ust tries to flog your their brand of feed . The ones I have mentioned appreciate that their products are not the only way to go .
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Post by bramblesmum on Jan 5, 2012 10:57:23 GMT 1
Thanks ss I am waiting a call back from top spec and have sent a feed request form to d&h xx thankyou everyone xxx
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Post by clipclop on Jan 5, 2012 11:02:47 GMT 1
I agree with feeding little and often.
Which actual vet from Nantwich Vets is dealing with her (pm if you prefer) - Campbell Thompson is one of the best vets in this area. His bedside manner may not suit everyone but he will be 100% straight about the realistic prognosis. If it's not him dealing with her already, ask for him to come out for a second opinion.
I used to use Nantwich but changed to Thomason and Walters when they started up (the partners started out at Nantwich) but still keep an account at Nantwich as Campbell would always be my choice for a second opinion if ever needed.
Which build up feed are you using?
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Post by 2 bays & a grey:D on Jan 5, 2012 11:10:39 GMT 1
Havent read all the replies but my vet said nancy wasnt a candidate for ulcers & she had grade 3. Been on succeed for about 3 months & is doing fab. Just something to consider if you are running out of options...
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Post by 2 bays & a grey:D on Jan 5, 2012 11:17:40 GMT 1
Also nancy was anemic (sp) and had recrrent colic
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