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Discussion on 3 YO MUSTANG MARE WITH HEAT STRESS, MILD COLIC... ? ANHIDrOSIS
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Member:
mitma
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 8, 2007 - 11:03 pm:
This evening I got a call from one of the young women who help me feed/care for my horses stating that my 3 yo BLM mustang mare didn't look good... upon further questioning, I learned that she would not eat her evening grain and was "not acting normal"... she was not able to catch her to assess her further. Now, this mare is actually barely halter trained; she was completely WILD when I adopted her last fall from the BLM and I have been taking it very slowly with her... I am able to approach her (and she often approaches me spontaneously) and I am able to halter her, lead her, pick her feet up, and do basic grooming; I have done some round pen work with her; though she has been well behaved for vet exams/vaccinations, etc... she has just recently been able to be trimmed without sedation. I'm giving everyone the background as it clearly impacts what has now happened to her. So, out I stumble to the pasture to see her (literally stumble, as last week I BROKE my foot, had surgery on it to plate the fracture, and am now enjoying a lovely full cast on my lower leg!!!) The thing I noticed immediately was that she would not approach the fenceline (and all four other horses would!)... she was standing under a tree, somewhat listlessly, not grazing (and all the other horses were) and I did think that her abdomen appeared distended. Now, she also appeared to be breathing at least 30 - 40 breaths/minute, but ALL of the horses were quite tachypneic. The temperature today in central/eastern VA broke the record highs set back in the 1970s; the closest town to our property reported 103F, plus it was VERY HUMID, putting the heat index over 110F. Now, while I was waiting for help to arrive (because, I really couldn't do anymore on crutches), I did observe her have a bowel movement (loose, but not frank diarrhea initially, though later, she did have two episodes of diarrhea); she also layed down once for a few minutes, then rolled in a half-hearted manner, finally getting up, though I did observe her pawing alot. NOW, THIS IS A NO BRAINER AND I'M THINKING THAT SHE HAS COLIC!!! When two of the young women arrived, they were able to catch and halter her... NOW, HERE'S THE DATA: HR 72, RR 36, AND TEMP 103.6F!!! I called the vet who came out immediately; after examining her he commented that, fortunately, he could hear bowel sounds in all four quadrants, but mainly that the mare looked HEAT-STRESSED; plus, he commented that she really didn't appear to be sweating well and this could possibly be ANHIDrOSIS as a primary event leading to a little bit of mild colic!!!! NOW, THIS MUSTANG MARE WAS CAPTURED FROM ANTELOPE VALLEY (near Elko), NEVADA, an incredibly harsh weather environment with summer highs well above 100F and winter lows always below freezing; she was captured in early 2005 (as a rising yearling), spent some time in Nebraska (until she was a 2 yo), then was transported to VA last fall where I adopted her... WHY WOULD THIS HORSE, OF ALL THE POSSIBLE HORSES, HAVE HEAT EXHAUSTION OR ANHIDrOSIS??? Many of you may imagine (due to my other many threads and current horse health issues), that I'm really about to pull my hair out!!!! Of course, being on crutches leads to an incredible feeling of helplessness... but, anyway, the vet gave her some IV banamine, then sedated her (I think with "rompin and torb"), passed an NG tube with virtually nothing lavaged from her stomach and finally instilled water (but no oil) into her stomach; while she was still sedated, they tried to hose her off with cool water with some limited success. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS MARE IS NOT YET TOLERANT (DESENSITIZED) TO THINGS LIKE SPRAY BOTTLES OR THE WATER HOSE... and that is really a problem with a heat stressed horse!!! Another unfortunate thing is that we don't yet have electricity in our little shed row barn, so no fans yet... but the horses do have reasonable shade in one pasture and our property is river front, so it's usually a little cooler hear than in town... they also have free choice access to salt/mineral blocks and hay at all times... I would really appreciate any thoughts, because reading Dr. O's articles on heat exhaustion and anhiDrOsis lead me to only one conclusion... that I have to move her immediately to a less severe climate!!! Thanks!
Martha
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 9, 2007 - 8:34 am:
Hi Martha, my old mare went through something very similar a few years ago except she had diharea for quite awhile. She wouldn't eat or drink well. She would paw as if colicking...but really wasn't. She quit sweating and never has started again. This too was in a hot, humid July. We finally came to the conclusion it was Potomac horse fever..(never tested tho). The only thing that made her eat and comfortable was banamine, but you have to make sure they aren't dehydrated. What finally helped her recover was I posted her blood results and Dr.O. said it showed she was dehydrated.....my vet didn't! I had the vet do IV fluids and electrolytes which really helped her on the road to recovery. I am not suggesting this is PHF, just an experience as my mares symptoms were very similar. Can you have blood pulled on her to check her hydration status? My mare also had a low wbc I think.
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Member:
erika
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 9, 2007 - 9:41 am:
Martha, over 100 degrees and humid would certainly be very taxing on a horse that isn't used to it.I think it's the worst when it doesn't cool off overnight like it would out west.
Heck, I look like I've been swimming after a few minutes working in this!
Even if you have to buy lots of extension cords, I would try to get a fan out to her for those really hot days.
Another thought, would your horse go into a pond or river to cool down? I would think that a wild horse would know how to cool off that way.
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Member:
mitma
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 9, 2007 - 12:00 pm:
Thanks guys! Actually, this morning this mare did look much better... she was certainly interested in eating, but we still held her grain... she is grazing as much as the other horses. Regarding PHF, all my horses were vaccinated for it, but I'll have to do some reading about the efficacy of the vaccine. Last night the vet clearly said "this looks like anhiDrOsis" as a primary event... and if that's the case, then I've got to get her into a more "temperate" situation or it appears that she would eventually loose functioning of any sweat glands! And, last night the vet did not take blood, but he did thoroughly exam her, looking at her mucous membranes, capillary refill time, etc... and all of those things were "O.K."... Certainly, I will get him back out if continued improvement does not occur...
Unfortunately, Erika, the "barn" is about ? 0.25 miles from the house, so I'm not so sure about using that many extension cords, but I am hassling the electrician right now! Meanwhile, some of young women (who help me with the horses) are working on desensitizing Riley to the water hose, so that at least we can cool her off that way... we've already sprayed all the other horses today mid-morning and plan to do it later in the afternoon. Though the idea of taking the horses into the river is appealing, our river is one of those really mucky, muddy, bottom ones with tons of debris (like oyster shells and old sunken dock parts, etc...) as well as stinging jellyfish... but it's really nice to go boating on!!! Hopefully, we may get a break in the weather by the weekend!!! Thanks again!
Martha
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Member:
stina
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 9, 2007 - 1:13 pm:
Can you set up a sprinkler? I've known many horses who will happily stand under a sprinkler when the weather is warm to cool off. If one of her pasture mates sets an example, maybe she will desensitize herself.
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 9, 2007 - 2:51 pm:
Martha, stina is right sprinkler will work and if you let it go the mud puddle will also be great just don't look. Have known several mustangs and they do not do humidity well at all. Over a 100 is nothing but throw humidity in there and trouble comes. Extra salt free choice might help also ?? Do not envy you your heat wave. I have fans going in my barn for the kittens, we have been at 100 plus for most of July but the humidity was 16%. Cindy
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Member:
122756
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 9, 2007 - 3:16 pm:
Hi Martha---would your mare accept having a cold wet blanket put on her? If so, you could soak a cooler blanket in cold water, wring it out and put it on her. If she's ok with that, then soak it again and leave more water in it...repeat until she is comfortable with it being more "sopping wet". You could also start out with a large towel instead of a blanket. I've done this with horses and dogs who've overheated and they seem to really appreciate it.
Beth
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Member:
boomer
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Posted on Friday, Aug 10, 2007 - 3:27 pm:
I bet it is the humidity. Nevada is dry and hot and it does make a big difference. I'm sorry you are having this stress and hope your filly gets and stays well. And do try what Beth suggested, I do that with a QH I've got that isn't quite on the tame side. It works well.
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Member:
mitma
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Posted on Saturday, Aug 11, 2007 - 12:06 am:
Thanks again for all the great ideas! I love the idea of using an ice cold wet blanket (but, first I'll start with a small rag)... Riley really likes to be groomed, so I will try to incorporate "rag rubs" into that activity (of course, whenever I actually get to groom her again, which based on the threats of my orthopedic surgeon may be three months for the cast!!!) Anyway, our weather has certainly improved a bit... the forecast for the weekend is mid 80s and lower humidity (which probably means 70% instead of 80%!!!) I will also look into a sprinkler for one area of the pasture, but right now the one I have (for watering the previously seeded pasture) caused havoc recently (see my recent thread about MARES STAMPEDING OVER THE FENCE!!!) No kidding, I don't mean to whine so much (well, maybe I do, because at the age of 46, I am now having to "reside" again with my parents, and it's only been 8 days since my surgery and the dreaded leg cast and I'm a bit on edge because I'm trapped...) Anyway, I digressed, but really, I have had an amazing amount of significant medical stuff happen to the 7 horses that I've acquired over the past year (oh, and BTW, I just "adopted" a mare with EPM... very very mild, only like grade 1 or 2... who was about to be "euthanized" because the owner was ???mad about the diagnosis... but, that's really another story for another time! And, I did that BEFORE I broke my foot and became such an invalid)... But, one thing is certain, I would really not choose any other path and I just hope that when we get Riley more protected from the heat, Ciara recovered from her recurrent conjunctivitis and less sore from her navicular synDrOme, Jip loosing some weight, Mitzee healed from the chronic mandible infection, Angel recovered from the EPM, and, oh BTW, all of the horses, including Rorie the weanling and Tiki and Benson, the spoiled, green geldings, actually TRAINED!!!! Then, maybe I will actually get to ride??? Thanks for listening you guys!
Martha
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Saturday, Aug 11, 2007 - 11:56 am:
Martha, everytime I get the notion I want another horse I reread your posts  and remember 4 is as high as this old lady can go ! You jumped in with both feet and are still going strong ( altho with slight limp) it takes great heart and strength to just not DrOp the rope and run! Great work .... Cindy
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Member:
mitma
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Posted on Monday, Aug 13, 2007 - 12:46 am:
Cindy,
Thanks for the encouragement and humor... despite my whining, I thought for sure that I would now get a little reprieve from horse related injuries or illnesses, but just yesterday, I got a call from the barn where I board Mitzee (surgery for jaw abscess, now with chronic swelling and drainage... waiting to go for a CT scan of her head!!!) saying that she had experienced an episode of respiratory distress! NO kidding, I'm thinking "what the %#** is going on???" The vet saw her, felt it was probably allergic in nature (kinda asthma like), gave her some steroids, and now all is well... or so I thought, but TODAY, the barn called me again, regarding Mitzee's foal, Rorie, who, somehow while turned out last night, managed to CUT HIS EYELID!!! So, today, he got to have general anesthesia (in the field) and have his little eyelid laceration repaired... Basically, it's only my two geldings left who are, thus far, still "healthy" or uninjured!!! I'll keep everyone posted!!!  Thanks!
Martha
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Monday, Aug 13, 2007 - 11:27 am:
Oh Dear God Martha, somewhere "Murphys Law" must be hiding in your herd of horses! I truly think you must be headed for sainthood ! If I were closer I'd answer your phone for awhile so you could get some rest! Cindy
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Member:
mitma
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Posted on Monday, Aug 13, 2007 - 11:15 pm:
Cindy... very sweet of you to say so, but I promise you, I am NO saint!!! And don't worry about me getting any rest... the remarkable thing about being stuck in a cast on crutches is that I think I have gotten more sleep in the past two weeks than in the past several months! Really, despite my recent "grumbling", I am an incredibly optimistic (or maybe, a stubborn) person... that's how I was actually able to acquire so many "unwanted horses"... I really do BELIEVE I can make a difference!
Martha
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 14, 2007 - 11:54 am:
Martha, you are way past the believe part and into YES I am .... as for the cast been there done that word of advise don't saw it off too soon ! Cindy
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Member:
mitma
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 26, 2007 - 2:47 pm:
Dear HA Friends:
I just thought I would show you what I've done as a temporizing measure while waiting for cooler weather (or the %&$x* electrician)... This idea of mine was prompted by our weekend weather forecast which was supposed to be a "scorcher" with high humidity too! So, I thought, I've got to do something to get some AIR FLOW to the horses!!! Clearly, after the Riley's episode of heat stress, and possible anhiDrOsis, three weeks ago, I really didn't want to repeat that! Also, we've been trying to incorporate many of your above suggestions, but, naturally, things are proceeding so slowly, given this mare's distrust of many humans (besides me) and because I am unable to work with her now (on crutches)... most of the time the girls that help out with the horses are not even able to catch her! Anyway, despite talking to the electrician almost daily, we still don't have the shed-row barn/run-in WIRED... but, we do have a temporary electric service established close to where our well was drilled (to run the well pump) and we discovered that there is one ELECTRIC OUTLET present... YEAH!!! I sent my father out yesterday to the Tractor Supply Store to purchase two industrial strength drum style fans and VOILA!!!
Certainly, we just can't leave the farm while these fans are outside and running... but on a really hot, humid day, like today, I'm thinking this may help!!! Now, just to show that "you can lead a horse to water, but can't make him drink...", here's what all the horses think of my idea....
All five of them are at least ?100 feet from where we set the fans up (an area of trees near an old "condemned" sheep barn that we have segregated with stock panels... this is usually the area that they like to stand in...) And, they are all standing/grazing outside the shaded area! At least it's pretty cloudy here today and we're supposed to get thunderstorms later which should cool things down a bit! Oh well!!!
Martha
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 26, 2007 - 6:47 pm:
Martha, it all looks very familar too me ! !! When we started using fans it was preceived as a wind dragon in the pasture to be avoided at all cost ! Finally Pest ( MFT )could not resist after that they all relaxed, except when she tips one over ! Good idea and they will come! Cindy
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Member:
erika
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 26, 2007 - 7:12 pm:
Yep, mine were terrified...then crowded around for "wind space"...then tried to eat them...knocked them over repeatedly...now none of 'em work!! Good thing summers almost done here!
They probably miss them mostly because of the flies--works great for keeping the critters from bugging them.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 26, 2007 - 7:41 pm:
Martha, great idea. I think the horses will all learn to enjoy them if summer lasts long enough! I use fans in the stalls when it's really hot and the horses stand head into the wind seeming to enjoy the breeze. At first a couple of them were terrified, but when they saw the others enjoying themselves, decided to give the fans a try, and now all of them like them. On hot muggy days the moving air feels good, and it helps with gnats and flies, too.
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Member:
hpyhaulr
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Posted on Monday, Aug 27, 2007 - 9:07 am:
Our barn is actually 7 stalls in sheDrOw conformation. WHen we had the electric put in, I had 4 box frames made and installed just below the ceiling at the stall walls with the smallest of shims above the frame directing the air just a bit downward. I inserted $12 WalMart box fans with the stems taken off, the plugs are inserted into a "thermocube" which is inserted at the electric receptacles. This little $11 device controls the fans so that they turn on at 78 degrees and turn off at 70. It is GREAT!!! Of course in this weather, they have not turned off in 6 weeks, but generally they do a great job. It is a very simple thing to replace the fans, usually they last about 2 years... I covered the fan frames with window screening and they are above my horses' heads anyway. I does help with the flies as well....I keep 3 extra fans in the container jsut in case I need to replace quickly, it takes a stepladder and about 5 minutes.
If they are heated up before I can get them into the barn in the late morning, I shower them and they get their morning refreshers (cantaloupe) which they LOVE and crack me up with their slurping efforts to contain the juice.
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Member:
frances
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Posted on Monday, Aug 27, 2007 - 9:10 am:
Sara, what type of fans do you use in the stalls? And where do you place them so as to avoid any horse/fan interaction  , or a sweaty horse getting a chill?
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Monday, Aug 27, 2007 - 10:39 am:
I also use the cheap box fans at Walmart. I have pipe MD type stall fronts and hang the fans up with baling wire/twine - not such a fancy set up as Cyndys. I like the Walmart fans because, as Cyndy said, they are cheap to replace and I can take them down/put them up easily. I have two extras and take them to shows when it's hot.
I remember when I was young and lived in the south, my mom would wet down pillowcases and hang them in front of the fans so the breeze would be cooler. There is probably a way to hang burlap in front of the fan boxes and wet it down periodically for a cooler breeze.
I don't worry about sweaty horses getting a chill where I live; we have about 9% humidity in the summer. No one stays sweaty very long.
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Member:
hpyhaulr
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Posted on Monday, Aug 27, 2007 - 11:10 am:
I like the wet burlap... neat idea. Funny, I don't think of my set up as fancy at all... it's just that the fans are not that far above their heads, and it seemed like putting screen on both sides of the fan made it safer for the horses, and teh wood frames made the screening possible and assure me the horses could not move the fans if they got silly. 7 stalls, 3 fans...I have had Andalusians,WBs and TBs stay here whom I had to stall where there was no fan as they were nose to blade with the fans...YIKES!!!SOmetimes I forget my kids are not that big, but neither is our sheDrOw.
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Member:
frances
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Posted on Monday, Aug 27, 2007 - 2:50 pm:
I must have posted at almost the same time as you, Cyndy, so I hadn't read how you installed your fans. Lots of useful information from you and Sara.
Thanks Sara for replying - and I'm so jealous of your 9% humidity.
So, the general consensus is box fans, tie 'em high, and possibly screen 'em in.
Many thanks!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 28, 2007 - 6:37 am:
Keeping spare fans a good idea, we took the stallion to a show in Murfeesboro TN two weekends ago when temperatures reached into the 100's. We decided we needed fans for the stalls and went searching and after a Walmart, a number of drug stores, several local discount stores we just about gave up. KMart finally yielded some results however they were 34 dollars for what I knew to be a 20 dollar fan (probably 15 on sale). The lesson is it will cost extra looking for fans on the hottest day of the year that is if you can find one at all. Watch for sales.
It is getting late in the season so also consider this for the winter months: there are no cheap generators during the week the local power is out if you can find one at all. If you have a well, it may be the most practical way to get water to the horses. Be sure to check the power needs of your water pump before you buy however, it is large requiring medium to larger size portable generators. Watching the sales can save you hundreds of dollars here.
DrO
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 28, 2007 - 10:38 am:
Dr.O., I learned to keep extra fans and extra just about everything else, especially when showing, because I too have spent way too much time driving to every hardware, tack store, etc. looking for something that should be simple to find, then if I found it, I paid twice a much as it was really worth because I NEEDED it. It's hard to do, but it really pays to think ahead.
The reminder about the generator is a good one. hard to think of winter with all this heat!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 - 6:38 am:
Extra good point Sara, I did not even think to mention the most expensive part of the emergency fan: the time spent looking.
DrO
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