Where to begin? I will try to make this as concise as possible, trying to source the COTH collective on the cause of a mysterious autoimmune presenting disorder. Mostly for answers, but maybe for some support as in my heart I know I might not get any answers. I’m contemplating peaceful euthanasia at the moment, but this horse’s brain is still so bright and he is such a sweet heart 
7 yr old “sport horse” gelding, breeding unknown but sire is alleged “sport pony” & my guess dam is QH as he is fairly QH type-y. He is the horse from my other recent posts, thank you everyone for your previous responses, its been a struggle these past 2 years that I’ve had him and I feel fortunate to have COTH as a resource.
Two issues in PPE were upward fixation of the patella & cataracts in 1 eye, PPE vet was fairly optimistic that the stifle would resolve with proper exercise (although it never did). Over the past 2 years he has had the occasional hives (usually in spring) & chronic rain rot/skin bacteria infection, also brittle mane and tail. Again, maybe some internal issues but nothing unmanageable. Despite being sweet tempered and very chill he can also be very high anxiety in certain situations, I struggled with behavioural issues under saddle as well (sudden explosions and bucking).
Serious health issues started 6 months ago in Nov 2021, he had mystery swollen hind legs, no heat and completely sound but my gut knew something was not quite right so I called the vet. We pulled blood as a precaution & results came back with major internal inflammation/bleeding. Did as much diagnosis on the farm as we could & found a grade 1 heart murmur. Vet gave option of monitor bloodwork for signs of healing, administer antibiotics (vet’s least favourite option), or go to equine hospital for further diagnosis. I chose to monitor blood, 3 weeks later blood work was getting better and swelling was gone. We tested again in April & there was no improvement but no digression either.
End of May he started to be very lethargic, we were going through a heat wave and herd dynamics had recently changed so I didn’t think it was cause for concern but gave him some rest. On Tuesday last week his health rapidly declined, in the morning when I went to catch him he was not grazing and completely lame in the hind end. I brought him inside, we took his temp and found a fever of I believe 102/103. Called vet out & he was admitted to the equine hospital that evening.
Equine hospital so far has ruled out cancer but is no closer to a diagnosis. His intestines is inflamed and the walls are thicker than normal, heart murmur was stage 6 and you can see his pulse through his skin, fever was sustained for about 2-3 days, dramatic muscle loss along the topline and in his hips, tucked up belly, lots of discomfort in the hind end, knees will occasionally buckle. Still eating and drinking, actually he is over drinking and has difficulty peeing (dribbles), kidneys appear good. Fever finally broke on Saturday & some of his strength came back, only hours later an inflammation episode in his front left cannon area appeared with lameness and high amount of pain, it basically looks like an injury without actually being an injury.
If these symptoms sound familiar to anyone, I’m all ears into directions to research. I’ve probably left out of lot of what we’ve diagnosed for/what it isn’t, but basically we are stumped. We are waiting on test results for the 5 panel QH type genetic diseases…my heart recognizes that this might remain a medical mystery.
On one hand you can still see his bright self shining through, on Saturday before the morphine kicked in for his front left he was alternating between lying flat out and lying with his feet tucked under, and still found the energy to play with my shoes searching for carrots. The vets think that he has lots of life left in him. But I’m really worried that these boughts of inflammation/sickness are coming quicker and quicker & ethically I do think its better to let them go on a good day than let them go after too many bad days. I guess its all the unknowns and the unknown future that I’m struggling with…help
ETA pictures of the little sick boy, maybe I’m bias but he’s still a cutie
