Home Current News News Archive Shop/Advertise Ridecamp Classified Events Learn/AERC
Endurance.Net Home Ridecamp Archives
ridecamp@endurance.net
[Archives Index]   [Date Index]   [Thread Index]   [Author Index]   [Subject Index]

RE: [RC] Problem with my horse - heidi

Good overview, Bruce--but the main take-home message is that pica itself is not "a condition" but rather a symptom of some other problem.
 
Pica behavior is not uncommon in horses with ulcers, and as the article indicated, it can be a problem with just about any chronic digestive disorder. 
 
Sheri, your horse needs a REALLY thorough physical (yes, including scoping) to determine what the problem is.  Ulcers would be at the top of my rule-out list, but there could also be other GI problems (tumors, partial displacements, worm load that is not responsive to the Strongid, etc.), neurological problems (including neck or spinal injury), lesions, foreign bodies or dental issues in the mouth (as another poster rightly suggested), etc. 
 
I do agree with Angie that you are giving excess supplements as well, and that the combo may not be helpful. 
 
I am confused by the comment that the mare's "kidneys are working overtime" based on the bloodwork--what are the actual values for her BUN and creatinine?  I can't help but wonder if that comment might actually be a misnomer for actual kidney failure--the clear urine possibly meaning that she can no longer concentrate urine.
 
This mare does indeed need to go to an equine clinic or hospital for a more complete work-up so that you can get an actual diagnosis.
 
Heidi


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [RC]   Problem with my horse
From: Bruce Weary <bweary@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sun, May 20, 2007 3:22 pm
To: "RideCamp endurance.net" <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>

  Sheri--
   There is a condition known as "Pica" which may describe what you 
horse is going through. Check out this website. If it's any consolation, 
I used to eat dirt, rocks, sand, horse poop, you name it. Then I bought 
my wife a cookbook, and things got better after that.   Dr Q
     
http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/herdmed/applied-ethology/behaviourproblems/pica.html


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
 Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

 Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=