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Post by Luci on Apr 8, 2008 0:02:57 GMT -5
Tonight when I arrived he was not good. He was laying down groaning, bloated. Poor Royal  . I called his owner and started walking him while she ran to the store to buy some Maalox. After his dose and more walking he passed a little gas and was feeling better, brighter eyed, and interested in eating again, but still a little bloated. His owner is calling the vet back to see what's going on. I sent her the link someone posted about ulcers and we are getting some aloe vera juice for him tomorrow. Last week he was groaning and down, but not bloated and not in as much discomfort. He got a shot of pain killer -don't remember the name. He was up and feeling tons better. Another day he got his meds early because he was a little ouchy. |
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Post by Kim on Apr 8, 2008 6:13:37 GMT -5
Aww poor Royal, and poor Lucy. I'm so sorry. Hopefully this is just a small speed bump.
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Post by Lam9 on Apr 8, 2008 7:17:33 GMT -5
I'm sorry to hear this  You might also try licorice (it helped Mimi). I think it would really be worth doing a scope to see what is going on down there, but I happen to know that at least one year ago there was no scope longer than 3 ft within an 8 hour radius I was not particularly impressed with the vet service for complicated issues like this in SLC, is there a chance she could take him to Fort Collins? |
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Post by Luci on Apr 8, 2008 9:04:17 GMT -5
The good news is that we do finally have a scope now. Hard to believable with all the horses here that there was no scope. What's with these hicks! Anyway, that may be the next step  I'm anxious to hear what the vet says today. He's such a loving and playful horse. Big o giant of a sweetie. I hate to see him suffering. I was trying not to cry when I called his owner last night. How did you feed the licorice? |
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Post by fancyhorse on Apr 8, 2008 16:27:48 GMT -5
Maalox? Horses and Humans don't have the same stomach, therefore Maalox should not work for a horse at all! Well, thats what the vets have told me over the years!
let us know an update when you get it! Jingles for Royal!
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Post by TeachU2Ride on Apr 8, 2008 16:56:08 GMT -5
There aren't scopes long enough to examine the intestinal tract, where ulcers also lurk. But treatment with GastroGuard does reach there, too. However... Bloating and discomfort are not a normal progression in healing. It may be that the treatment is actually creating some problems for him. Or he may be experiencing difficulties with digestion simply because he's willing to eat more now.
It's possible there is something else going on - maybe or maybe not related to the ulcers. This would be a horse I would take to a large university clinic. Lots of experienced eyes in one place and they see all kinds of everything - especially the weird stuff.
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Post by Lam9 on Apr 8, 2008 17:48:33 GMT -5
You can buy licorice as a powder here: glenbrookfarm.com/herbs/Just sprinkle 1 tablespoon over his grain. Maalox made mimi feel better, despite the differences with horses and humans, it does work  That was the only way I could get her to eat when she first came to NC. Since she's a horse, it couldn't have been a placebo effect  I have to agree with teach on the university clinic. The major player vet practice in SLC is good at some things, but not all. I realize this is a big expense though, since the closest place is Ft. Collins.... |
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Post by Luci on Apr 8, 2008 18:11:20 GMT -5
Ya, isn't that so strange. We have some of the best medicine around for people in Utah, but for horses it's a long haul to get to a university clinic.
Still no word from the vet. Ugh! He's doing o.k. today, but is still a little bloated. Who knows what's going on inside that big ol body of his. Poor boy. I suggested to his owner that she find a pasture (with actual grass -hard to find in Utah). She's thinking about taking him up the road to a pasture for his turnout. I think daily med care, hugs, and pasture without any riding for a good three months would do a world of good, if we can just get him past this awful stage. His owner has to leave this Friday too for a race. I'm a little worried about caring for him in her absence. (She races motorcycles -pretty cool stuff).
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Post by Luci on Apr 9, 2008 9:30:06 GMT -5
The vet didn't have a lot to say.  We are to add Fast Track probiotics and he is now going to be fed grass hay in between his regular meals so he has food in front of him most of the time. We'll let him graze for his turnouts as much as possible (in the pasture that's not allowed until May -shhh!) Keep Maalox on hand and go from there. I think having small bits to eat all the time will be extremely helpful. As soon as the weather is better, he'll move to a pasture. I hope he'll get better. I'm still quite worried about him for the immediate future. |
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Post by Lukey D. on Apr 9, 2008 14:04:51 GMT -5
Poor guy, I hope he starts feeling better!
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Post by niaru on Apr 9, 2008 16:39:39 GMT -5
I think having small bits to eat all the time will be extremely helpful. That's actually just the ticket for ulcer-prone horses. Eating often reduces the acid build-up in the GI tract. Best remedy is turnout on grass in a big field with buddies! Helps them relax and just be horses. I've heard the Maalox works, and also Papaya juice, and Aloe Vera juice (which I've tried with Charm when I first got her and she was a picky eater, was laying down a lot, groaning, too.). If it is ulcers and you're treating with GG, he should feel better in about a week to 10 days, depending on the severity of his ulcers. I hope he feels better soon! |
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Post by Luci on Apr 10, 2008 23:45:56 GMT -5
He was much better tonight. I think the new program of food and probiotics is helping. I'm still very guarded though. He's got a long way to go.
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. I called his owner and started walking him while she ran to the store to buy some Maalox. After his dose and more walking he passed a little gas and was feeling better, brighter eyed, and interested in eating again, but still a little bloated. 
You might also try licorice (it helped Mimi).
I'm anxious to hear what the vet says today. He's such a loving and playful horse. Big o giant of a sweetie. I hate to see him suffering. I was trying not to cry when I called his owner last night. 
That was the only way I could get her to eat when she first came to NC. Since she's a horse, it couldn't have been a placebo effect 
We are to add Fast Track probiotics and he is now going to be fed grass hay in between his regular meals so he has food in front of him most of the time. We'll let him graze for his turnouts as much as possible (in the pasture that's not allowed until May -shhh!) Keep Maalox on hand and go from there. I think having small bits to eat all the time will be extremely helpful. 
