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Member:
dlsenDrO

Posted on Monday, Feb 21, 2011 - 7:07 pm:

I have scoured the posts and I am stumped. Just looking for maybe something that is familiar to someone.
2 days ago, my large pony was off his feed and looking a little depressed. Manure was less than normal but not non existent. He wasn't really acting colicy, but just seemed depressed. No cough, or discharge from the nose.
Didn't eat his dinner, but picked at his dengi hay. Drank a little but not a ton. Had manure overnite but the next day, didn't eat his breakfast, but did go out and had about the same manure, less but still there. Came in from outside and a little perkier but not himself. When he didn't eat his dinner, I took his temp and it was 102. Called the vet and about 1 1/2 hours later his temp was down to 101.5. She rectaled him and pulled some out that was normal. No respiratory issues and gut sounds. She drew blood and said his WBC was down, but not too bad. I think she said 4.1? She thought it was viral and since his fever went down, we just watched for manure, which he had overnite but still not a ton. Now it's the 3rd day, no temp since yesterday afternoon, but he is still lethargic, not eating bran mash but still picking at the dengi. She came out agin today to tube him so he could get some fluids, electrolytes and oil in there since he hasn't been drinking that much. He made a little manure, but still not eating the bran mash. He drank a lot of water though, prob because of the electrolytes. Anyway, what do you think. If it's a virus, how long do they take to clear up? Anything else we should look at?
Thanks for your help! I feel so bad for him.
Dana
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 22, 2011 - 8:31 pm:

Hello Dana,
I have seen viruses that result in depression and poor appetite, with normal temps following a initial fever and may keep them down for as long as a week but this can vary a lot from horse to horse and don't know if that is what your horse is experiencing. The history you present is consistent but not diagnostic for this.
DrO
Member:
dlsenDrO

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 1, 2011 - 2:43 pm:

DrO,
Thanks so much for your reassuring words. I am happy to say that the pony is doing great, but it did take 5 days for him to start to eat and act normally. It was really scary, thinking the worst and with the constant threat of colic. But when you said a week, it helped me to remain calm until then, hoping you were right. And you were! So thanks again!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 1, 2011 - 6:11 pm:

You are welcome Dana,
DrO
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