Update.
We are back to normal temperatures for this time of year. However, my horse still has mild fever (38,8) and a respiratory rate around 30. He is not responding to the Excede treatment up to now (day 7).
I’ve noticed a big weight loss in the past couple of weeks, despite the fact he eats normally (he has access to pasture and/or hay 24/7, also he gets senior feed with additional vitamin/mineral supplement and oil. He has a very good appetite.
However, for two years now he has mild chronic diarrhea when his diet is composed of more hay than fresh pasture (fall/winter time). Vet can’t explain this as it should be the opposite?! I’ve tried different qualities of hay and they all create a mild diarrhea, and currently he has grass hay about 10% protein and low carb, cut early in season so it’s not particularly high in fibers difficult to digest.
I was wondering how/why it can be more difficult to process hay for him? His teeth have been checked 10 days ago and are still functional. He did lose a molar with the vibration of the grinder though. Could this be related to ulcers?
Last spring my other vet had prescribed a vitamin/mineral boost via intramuscular injection, since there were findings of anemia in his blood test.
I’ve also noticed he gradually stopped lying down as often/long as usual this summer, and that his pace is slower to follow the herd in the past month. There has been no change in the herd itself, he is not rejected or bullied in any way, so this is not related to stress from changes in his lifestyle or environment. I was thinking this is only normal due to ageing.
But I am very concerned with these new signs of illness: weight loss, mild fever, increased respiratory rate, increased white blood cells, presence of immature cells in blood tests and no response to antibiotics…
Vet thinks this could all point towards tumor inflammation? What are your thoughts?
Vet was saying that if there is no response to antibiotics, further diagnosis would be needed at the equine hospital… But this is not an option for me, I don’t want to put him under such stress at his age.
Thank you