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Discussion on Unknown Origin Listless Not Eaten for 3 days | |
Author | Message |
Member: ilona |
Posted on Sunday, Jan 13, 2008 - 10:42 pm: Dr O,I do not know where to post this. Esmerelda (Paso Fino mare, 11 yrs )does not have a fever at all, nor can the vet find anything wrong with her from a diagnostic standpoint. However she is listless, depressed, has not eaten for 3 days. She has visibly lost weight. Her regular regimen is 2x daily Grass hay Coastal/Timothy, Safe Choice grain and fresh running water in a 50 gallon tank. She is now given electrolytes by paste as she is not eating at all, and drinking sparingly. Her temperature, heart, breathing and lungs all test within normal range. She has no colic although was tubed mineral oil as a precautionary measure. She has no swelling anywhere that we can see. Blood work came back negative on all panels. I am at a loss as to what to do. Is it possible that she has contracted a local virus that does not test. I noticed that in your articles you mention a 7 day self-recovery period. Do I just wait? The vet comes out daily to check her. |
Member: frances |
Posted on Monday, Jan 14, 2008 - 4:00 am: Sorry to hear about your horse, Ilona. I'm sure you've thought of all these things but just in case .... teeth? ... anything else wrong in her mouth? ... worming program good and up to date (incl praziquantel for tapeworm)? ... did this come on gradually or suddenly?Good luck. |
Member: scooter |
Posted on Monday, Jan 14, 2008 - 5:47 am: Hi Ilona, my horses went thru something like that last year. Vet said it probably was a virus. I thought it was something they ate. No fever, just listless, depressed, and didn't eat. They did seem to drink ok.A dose of banamine seemed to help them all, why I don't know, but they would eat after the banamine and after 4 days were fine...was weird. |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Monday, Jan 14, 2008 - 6:42 am: Hello Ilona,Your symptoms and clinical findings are consistent with some viral infections we get around here that are past the fever stage. Sometimes it is muscle soreness other times I figure they have a whale of a headache. They may continue to feel bad for up to a week. Daily rechecking of the vital signs for something more serious monitors for other possibilities. I agree with DianeE that once or twice daily flunixin usually gets these horses feeling a little better and eating again. DrO |
Member: mrose |
Posted on Monday, Jan 14, 2008 - 9:59 am: Hi Ilona! I hope your mare is o.k. A few years ago there was something similar going around this area. I had one filly that was just "down" not eating and was sweating just a little; she had a low grade fever and no other symptoms. Vet couldn't really find anything, but gave her banamine and antibiotics "just in case" and she was fine in a few days. |
Member: ilona |
Posted on Monday, Jan 14, 2008 - 11:42 am: Thanx all and Dr O,As usual I am so impressed with the prompt,helpful information and the community support. I shall be adding banamine/flunixin 2x daily. Will give an update in a week. I'm trusting it will be positive. |
Member: ilona |
Posted on Thursday, Jan 17, 2008 - 10:54 am: Well, the update is early I gave the banamine and Esmerelda immediately started eating and drinking. I wanted to be sure that this maintained before I posted and it has. The response was so marked that the vet asked which website I consulted with! I am sure, Dr. O, that you have a new member. I am always happy when that happens. I am trying to shift the thinking in this area by example. It seems to be working in a slow a and steady way...the best way. |
Member: scooter |
Posted on Thursday, Jan 17, 2008 - 1:05 pm: Ilona great news glad it didn't turn out to be anything serious |
Member: quatro |
Posted on Thursday, Jan 17, 2008 - 2:44 pm: Glad you have good new Ilona, congratssuz |
Member: quatro |
Posted on Thursday, Jan 17, 2008 - 3:17 pm: Hey Ilona, when you get a spare minute could you e-mail me privately? I have police dog question. Just a curiousity. heartdog@evertek.net |
Member: paardex |
Posted on Friday, Jan 18, 2008 - 10:53 am: Good for you and her Ilona! Speaking from experience: it takes time but people tend to change their mind when shown such results!Jos |