Anky wasn't right this morning, she ate her breakfast, but not with the gusto she's had this last 10 days.
Of course, I put the kiss of death on it last night by saying to Jim that for the last week or so she's been the best we've seen for a long time.
Anyway, she was stretching a little and lying down, so I took her for a walk around the field and she had a couple of rolls. We stayed out for about 30 minutes, until she passed some droppings and then I put her out with the others. She still wasn't happy so we gave her an intramuscular injection of calmagine (anti spasmodic) which seemed to make her more comfortable. At time of writing she's out eating, looking ok.
Her blood tests have finally come back and appear to be within normal ranges, a few slight anomolies but nothing that would suggest serious illness. Her liver levels were slightly high, but not high enough to suggest liver disease. We have consulted another vet, who has analysed the test and been given her history, she seems to think that it's not ulcers and is feeling (as are we) that it is an intestinal tract problem.
Possibilities include irritation in the hind gut from enterolith sand accumulation, unresolved tapeworm or small strongyle infestation. Another possibility is a small intestinal inflammatory process, either food triggered or autoimmune (they might actually be the same thing). I don't think it could be sand accumulation, but will test for that and she has been on a very strict worming program all the time we've had her (although she may have worm damage from not being wormed properly as a youngster). She has suggested supplementing her with colostrum (although I know all about colostrum, I've never heard of it being used as a supplement on an adult horse) as it helps to support immune system function, combat bacteria & viruses and maintain healthy intestinal flora. In fact it acts as a totally natural anti-biotic without all the side effects.It also helps to improve skin & muscle rejuvenation,support joint & cartilage function and build muscle mass. Bloody hell, it sounds great, I should take it myself!! Anyway, I'm looking into it.
2 comments:
good that the results aren't showing anything serious, but unhelpful in that it leaves you no further forward..
didn't know you could get colostrum other than from mother's milk immediately after foaling!
The colostrum sounds fantastic. (Almost like one of those old patent medicines that would help with anything from wharts to indigestion...)
I really do hope that they will find something that will help her.
It was nice that the test results did not show anything serious, but at the same time it is difficult when they cannot give a diagnose, isn't it?
Love your new spring design of the blog!
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