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Post by horsesupnorth2 on Jan 25, 2014 23:29:45 GMT
 Yikes so I was checking my older gelding over today and found the lowest part of his sheath very cold and swollen! Not hard, soft & squishy, and he showed no discomfort when handled. His fluid intake/output are fine- not blocking him. His sheath isn't dirty- he's never one to get much goo in there- felt warm and dry. No other swelling, lumps or heat anywhere in that area. He's a 23 y/o QHxMustang diagnosed with Cushings last year. He gets 1ml pergolide/day. He lost quite a bit of weight & has the muscle wasting on topline. He's on TC complete, probiotics, flax, beet pulp and 1/2c corn oil. Vets were consulted on his diet & supplements. Feeding is split am/pm. Hay is decent- timothy,clover,orchard grass. He gets probably 4-5 flakes a day plus the flakes out in pasture during the day. I think this is what may have happened: when we got that big thaw & rain up here, we got ice everywhere! We can't get the horses safely out to their big pastures so for two weeks they've only been able to go out about 4-5 hrs a day and in a much smaller area. So I think this is edema but unfortunately I don't know how to treat it "down there"! In the past, he has had some stocking up in the winter when they don't move around as much. Will call vet first thing Monday. I didn't get a temp but other vitals were fine and he acts completely normal. Polished off his dinner and carrots, munching hay, bright eyed & handsome! Would love any thoughts, advice- Thank you all!!
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Post by horselady on Jan 26, 2014 0:32:57 GMT
I found pergolide in older horses just not worth giving to them. the symptoms are still there and sometimes it makes the horse either drink alot or just not act right and they are having dull eyes and dull coat.
speaking from personal experience a gelding i had as a boarder did soooo much better when i took him off of the stuff.
as for the sheath this gelding had the same problem. he would just stand around and not be sparky and bright, he was 28,
after the first month not being on it he began to perk up and grow new hair and his eyes just got brighter.
that being said. perhaps your gelding needs to be out of the pen and allowed to roam around in the yard. i have 3 of them that need lunch and it is easier for me to give it to them without other horses fighting for the food tray.
also i can monitor how much hay they are getting and the movement just might help your geldings sheath. hope he feels better.
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Post by horsesupnorth2 on Jan 26, 2014 1:50:50 GMT
Thank you Jo. He's actually doing good on the pergolide. Last spring when vet came out for regular checkups, I had them do a blood panel because he came through winter poorly and he was just not himself, quiet, lethargic. Nothing big on cbc. Had his teeth done,started him on TC Senior and probiotics. Turned down Senior but gobbles up the Complete- vet said that was fine. Still wasn't picking up so had test done for Cushings. He was a 58. Two months on pergolide and he was doing much better- bright eyed and his usual grumpy Tony Soprano self. He even plays some lol! He's herd leader. The BO & I have been watching to see if his status was slipping but no changes. He definitely gets plenty of hay outside, and when they were in their usual pastures he roamed around alot. Meals are fed in their stalls. Right now there is no safe place to walk him around more- it's driving us crazy, just solid ice. BO dumped enough sand/dirt to use the small turnouts but front yard and lanes to big pastures and riding ring are treacherous. Even large sections in the pastures are just sheets of ice. We're getting some  today- cross your fingers it's enough to pack down for footing. |
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Post by horselady on Jan 27, 2014 1:44:13 GMT
Glad that he is doing well on the medication, I have a feeling it is not enough outside time. so hopefully he will get a chance to get some sun and cold and good footing.
is there a possibility of putting stall cleanings in an area of the paddock so the horses can get better footing.?
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Post by horsesupnorth2 on Jan 29, 2014 4:04:25 GMT
Well we got the horses out Monday and he's almost back to normal! Still a tiny bit of swelling but not ice cold. Unfortunately, the bad news is that my big guy came up with swelling above his left fetlock this morning and is somewhat lame! BO called vet. He's not showing pain when handled but he's not himself either. BO is a farrier & she had already checked his hoof/coronary all out. No temp, no signs of exterior injury. Gave him a rubdown and put on a light wrap tonight just for support. Will get a vet appointment- I fear a strain or flexor injury. Ugh... this winter needs to hurry up & get done!
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749 
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Post by mistersmom on Jan 30, 2014 15:15:17 GMT
Glad he is feeling better in one aspect. Prayers that the lameness is just a sore hoof from the frozen ground or something simple to fix.
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Jan 30, 2014 16:22:20 GMT
Probably slipped on the frozen ground.. I would give him some bute and see if that helps before I would be calling the vet. Any heat in the hoof? Any bruising signs?
I dealt with a tendon injury last year with Mr. Mo. But his was probably from a past injury and it showed up. I did everything I could think of and had the best leg vet around. Prognosis ended up that his tendon was gone and it started contracting. We had to put him down. I have dealt with them when I was working standard breds for racing. We had one that blew his tendon and we worked on him for months. After about 6 months we had the tendon tight. It wasn't pretty to look at but he did return to racing.. Hopefully non of the above are your issues... I would try rubbing him down good with linament and put the quilt on then take saran wrap and wrap it then the leg wrap. This will make the leg have more blood flow and it will sweat out the inflammation.... just a thought....
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Post by horsesupnorth2 on Feb 6, 2014 1:28:43 GMT
Just a quick update on the boys. The sheath swelling has disappeared with regular turnout. The leg injury has resolved with two treatments of dmso and a week of support wraps. Horse angels looking down on my guys & keeping them safe!
Thank you for the advice and support!!
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Post by horselady on Feb 6, 2014 1:49:24 GMT
Great news with the update. and thanks for sharing.
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Yikes so I was checking my older gelding over today and found the lowest part of his sheath very cold and swollen! Not hard, soft & squishy, and he showed no discomfort when handled. His fluid intake/output are fine- not blocking him. His sheath isn't dirty- he's never one to get much goo in there- felt warm and dry. No other swelling, lumps or heat anywhere in that area.
today- cross your fingers it's enough to pack down for footing.
