Poorly pony.. ) :

[Laura2184]

Hi Everyone, need some help.. Im looking after my friends 6 horses whilst she is away for the week. (hard work!!!) :o She has a shetland that is very prone to laminitis and is quite bad at the moment, I noticeed she was very bad the other day so I put her in her stable and gave her some Phenylbutazone in a bit of Dengy. I went the next day and she had diarrohea. I put one sachet in her food as instructed on the packet. Does anyone know whether this will have caused it or do you think it is something else? Any suggestions most greatful!! :)
Thanks!!

[eventerbabe]

is the shetland down with laminitis just now?? if so, i'd phone the vet. i'd keep him in, on a deep bed, limited hay and on bute. how much bute really needs to be assessed by the vet, although my mare was on 2 a day at her worst. what sort of symptoms is the pony exhibiting??

[Laura2184]

It looks painful for her to walk anywhere and looks very stiff.. she doesnt look very happy at all..

[eventerbabe]

have a feel at her feet. if the hooves are warm and theres a strong pulse round the back of her heel then i'd get the vet. is she shifting her weight between her front feet?? sounds awfully like laminitis to me. its been really bad weather for lammys recently. mild, warm weather has meant the grass has exploded.

[Denbenj]

Yes I agree call the Vet before anything goes from bad to worse.. I would avoid putting him back out atall until the Vet has assessed the situation

Hope he gets better soon

[Laura2184]

I had a feel at her hooves last night and they did feel quite warm. I'll have a feel for the pulse straight after work. Is there anything else I can do for her in the mean time?

Thanks for your help!!

[eventerbabe]

she needs to be on a deep bed, prefferably shavings, if she's bad she may need shoes off and frog supports on. she shouldn't have access to ad-lib hay. as a rule, they should have no more than 1% of their bodyweight in hay, maybe even a bit less if they are actually suffering an attack. keep her quiet and don't let her move around too much. most importantly get the vet. they will be able to asses how bad it is and what treatment to start.

[Laura2184]

Okay, Thank You for your help, I'll get onto it as soon as Ive finished here!! :rolleyes:

[eventerbabe]

let me know how things go. laminitis is such a terrible thing :(