Can a foal be rejected after three months..?

[JB]

Sure, lineage/breeding, I get. But I have never heard of, or read a case of, a horse that young having symptoms that bad from PSSM. That’s my source of confusion.

Se-deficiency would be much more likely BUT, if it was to the point he was that uncoordinated, I would expect to see mane/tail falling out, and feet to be having major cracking issues.

Not all EPM horses fail typical neurological tests, even as they walk “drunk”

The “fly twitch” test really only tells you something if he doesn’t react. If he does react, it doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem.

[WOAPE]

Thanks again JB…

Just returned and he is much better in his face today. Legs are still very weak and he fell down once in the box when the pony snapped at him…but he was calm…and rose after a short while.

My wife actually found a tick near the site of his recent castration…so that was carefully removed…including head…it appeared to be a black legged type…and was very small…I thought I saw something there yesterday but because he was so up and down, didn’t expect closely. There is no way that it has been there for a lengthy period of time though…and thankfully we found it today when he was laid out. EPM has been mentioned to the vet today, he is due to arrive there around now so I am waiting to hear from him. Did notice today that at times, woape is carrying his tail out a little…and also off to one side…plus, he was dropping a few times without taking a pee.

Feet, mane and tail all appear fine too.

[JB]

Little boys love to hang it out and wave it around :lol: So that wouldn’t worry me, unless he’s never been one to do it much, and now is doing it a lot. It could also be a side effect of the recent gelding - the swelling,even if just residual, might make it less comfortable to keep it tucked away. As long as he does let it out to pee, and can fully retract it, I wouldn’t worry about that - worth noting for sure though.

If the tick was still small, it’s likely inconsequential, BUT, it does mean ticks are around and not likely the first one that’s been munching on him, so Lyme is still possible.

[WOAPE]

[QUOTE=JB;8680326]
If the tick was still small, it’s likely inconsequential, BUT, it does mean ticks are around and not likely the first one that’s been munching on him, so Lyme is still possible.[/QUOTE]

Was on the list I received last night as a possibility.

Have just come off the phone with the vet…then my wife who was translating (I’m typical lazy English speaker!)…

Vet said the tests show it is myopathy…but further tests will now look into which type…(genetic, nutrition related…)

Also, the vet said woape has received same meds as yesterday and that he looks better in himself.

[WOAPE]

Today, received test results. woape does not have PSSM1, nor GBED, Further tests will now be done in Germany (HYPP, HERDA) and vet will be out to see him again tomorrow. Other blood tests both showed myopathy - initial test and follow up test.

The people around have been great - woape has a new area (small, one side closed and three with fencing - all under shelter) and two new mini Belgians have arrived (brothers aged 25 or so) to keep him company…they seem to be getting along OK. We are following vet instructions and going for a short walk (just several minutes) each day. After the first few yards (when he is wobbly) woape seems to be doing well…although at times, he does look pretty tired…but they all do now as it is quite warm here. When doing so, woape manages to turn fairly nicely which is good. He tried to scratch a fly away from his neck earlier and when he lifted his rear leg, couldn’t hold his weight and flopped forward…but he stayed calm and when I lay down with him, he was soon out flat and asleep for a good half hour (even had some R.E.M. which I was happy to see)

It is very tough not knowing what it is…and also very difficult watching him when he isn’t right.

[Kimchi]

OH no sending prayers and Jingles for you guys. It is so hard when they are sick.

[Didi]

Jingles to sweet Woape!

[WOAPE]

Thanks again to all for your kind words.

Today, woape spent about five hours in a small enclosure that has very little in the way of grass. When we arrived, he was visbly excited and bouncing about without any sign of discomfort…I was quite shocked…even more so when the girl who runs the place said he was even jumping and kicking a bit today, calling out to the herd.

Shortly after we arrived, we went for his daily short walk - again, dragged back leg and appeared to lose awareness of his feet a little on the turn. We’ve requested the vet’s contact, somebody who supposedly knows more about some of the conditions mentioned / suggested…but the blood results could take another week I believe…

[WOAPE]

My wife just had a call from the contact I mentioned in the previous post…

He watched the short video and said “it is spinal ataxia” then when asked what do we do, he said “put him to sleep or pay major money for surgery” - it is over 400 miles away…

I am arranging scans / x-rays asap and will also look into bringing a surgeon here, or somewhere much closer at least…one contact we know has done that for her horses in the past.

[WOAPE]

Just to update everybody, the vet conducted x-rays today (from neck to tail) and he said everything was clear. We are still waiting for the blood test results from Germany (remaining 3 from the 5-panel test) so I will update again later…as soon as we find out what those results say.

Vet also found 2/3 small sarcoids on his groin area, near the castration site, which we will monitor closely.

Carl

[WOAPE]

So today I took hair samples myself, followed the correct procedure as advised by VGL, Davis California. They will be sent off first thing and hopefully, we’ll at last have the results in the near future.

I did this as we just found out that the laboratory in Germany, where the samples were sent by our vet over three weeks ago…no longer does the test…I cannot believe we waited so long…for nothing…only to find out that they can’t help us…unbelievable…talk about a lack of communication…

Last ten days or so, woape has been spending between an hour and three hours on a small grassy section by himself - although next to the main pasture. He seems to be improving, hopefully that is indeed the case.

[WOAPE]

Just got the results back from VGL, California. Pleased to say that woape does not have HYPP, test results were normal. I am really glad to rule that out, especially after finding his dam has a genetic link to a descendant of Impressive.

Last two weeks or so, woape has been walking much better…he really does look stronger.

Carl

[keysfins]

Good news, thanks for the update. Any new photos you’d like to share?

[WOAPE]

[QUOTE=keysfins;8755106]
Good news, thanks for the update. Any new photos you’d like to share?
:)[/QUOTE]

Thank you. We’ll be heading over there later and I want to do a new video today, will try and get it onto woape’s facebook page later then post a link. He had his hooves trimmed this morning too, first time for a while.

[WOAPE]

Just added a new video and photo to the facebook page linked below:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010737466066

[WOAPE]

Just posted another short video we made earlier:

www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010737466066

[Highflyer]

Looks like he’s feeling better!

[WOAPE]

We arranged for a chiropractor with training for horse treatment to come and take a look at woape earlier this week. He is an English guy, settled over here like myself. Seemed pretty thorough and said woape has three slight twists - one in the neck, one mid-back and another above the rear legs. Nothing severe he said, only slight and suggested we ease him into some light training - walking over poles on the ground for just a few mins. Interestingly, he said he’s encountered several young horses with walking issues post castration…maybe due to stall confinement, or growth spurt…who knows?! But we’ll keep an eye on him, see how he goes and hope he continues to improve.

[JB]

How interesting!! That goes back to what I was asking about (and which you answered) about his gelding procedure. I absolutely think pole work and light hill work benefits every young horse, and he’s plenty old enough for that sort of controlled forced work.

[WOAPE]

Thanks JB. The area we walk around is also not level, which was commented upon by the chiropractor who said it will help woape develop his muscles when he exercises. His withers appear to have caught up with his bum a little too.