What could be wrong with this horse read for more details.?

Question

I am really concerned about a horse that is in the feild with my horse she has lost loads of weight in a very short space of time she seems to have breathing problems and is having muscles spasms all over her body, she also make like whining sqeaking noises as if she is in pain what coulkd be wrong???

Answer 1

If she had a major spring outbreak of  small strongyles, that COULD be it.  The wormer's killed them off, but now the gut has to heal.  With a huge breakthrough, they can cause a lot of damage in the colon.

I think the vet needs to be brought back for this one.  She's showing signs of lots of pain (fast breathing, whining, etc.) and that's not right.

Answer 2

I dont think it's kidneys are shutting down, because that happened to one of my horses and we had no idea until it was to late, he showed no pain or anything. I would NOT let the foal drink from it's mother, because if it is something serious, (and it sounds like it is) it could carry on to the mother. Good luck! Oh, and I would call the vet, this sounds serious and if the mare is in pain, she needs medicine of SOMEthing to help her!

Answer 3

i know someone who had a horse like that because its kidneys were shutting down

Answer 4

Hello, ofcourse I can not in any way diagnose the horse but I can tell you I have known a lady who's horse did exactly as you describe.I remember the lady was looking to place the horse in a Northern home.Her vet advised that the climate would be much better for the horse.I remember that it was something that the horse would have a problem with for life but that in a cooler/colder climate her symptoms could be very mild.I am sorry I could not help more.

Answer 5

You must immediatly find a foster mare for your foal as it must not stay with an ill mother as foals are more succeptible to illnesses and it may be passed through the mothers milk. I would only bottle feed at the last resort as in the future this can lead to many dominance and aggression problems with humans and other horses.

The mare appears to have been poisened by something. Though her symptoms are commons to many illnesses. i would recomend bringing her indoors for rest and only to take her out for walks in hand. i would recoment the vet coming back as soon as possible to look at her again. As the mare has just given birth she may hav picked up an infection of some kind which can in some cases be fatal. I would recomend starting her on a cycle of general antibiotics as it doesnt seem to be viral and these will not harm the mare if the sypmtoms are not caused by bacteria.

hope she gets well soon

All the best xx

Answer 6

When we get a new horse we keep it seperated from the other horses for a while.  They will do exactly what you're describing if they become nervous around new horses.  Mares are especially proned to do this.

Answer 7

I agree with the vet it could be redworm. It could also have something to do with her kidneys. About the foal... I would start bottle feeding it in case there is something really wrong with the mother. In that case she could pass it down to her foal. Maybe something went wrong with the birth and it affected the mare's organs... I hope this helped! Let us know how it goes with your mare.

Answer 8

Keep her walking or moving in any way you can. She may be in a lot of pain. You may have to put her down. And for the foal. Try and feed her bottles of milk if the horse doesn't produce milk. And keep them both hydrated very well. If they don't eat after 1 day. Call the vet.

Answer 9

It could be an overactive parathyroid, but that's just a guess.

Answer 10

Sounds as though she could have COPD (breathing problems) which means Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - basically water on the lungs and possibly swollen heart.

It could also be some kind of poisoning if she is in spasm.  Please for god sake do not rely on our answers.  Ask the vet to check again.

The worming will probably not improve damage that has obviously been done.

Answer 11

Goodness, this sounds quite critical!  Muscle spasms, weight loss, labored breathing, symptoms of physical discomfort AND a foal at her side for which she is not producing milk?

The vet needs to come back out immediately and reassess this mare.  The weight loss is the only symptom consistent with a chronic worm infection.  Are any of the other horses in the pasture showing signs of worm infections such as mild colic, weight loss, diarrhea and loss of appetite?  Are the horses on a regular de-worming medication schedule?

With a foal at her side and the symptoms you mention above, my first guess would be that she retained some placental fragments during foaling and has a possible uterine infection or other birth complication.  But it could be a whole HOST of other things that only a trained professional can diagnose and treat.

I do hope this mare is OK, sounds like she has been suffering too long and now her foal's life is in jeopardy as well.  She is lucky to have your concern -- but, where is her owner and what are they doing to help her?  They need to convince the vet that they are willing to do what it takes to get this mare on the mend.

Good luck!

Answer 12

Call the vet again! This is a serious case that should be handled by an expert. Tell the vet that the treatment has not worked and see what they say. It definitely does sound like worms though. Were you told only to use the treatment for 5 days? If not, keep using it.

Answer 13

The horse that has lost loads of weight can have organ failure so call the local vet and ask them to come and examine it if the person who owns the horse is willing for the horse to be examined