Hi All, I’m pretty sure my mare has a UTI. I’m getting the vet out ASAP to collect a sample and check. I was wondering if anyone knew the signs that present under saddle? Would it feel like a sore back and/or hind end? I know the symptoms on the ground and she does show them. Thanks!
I think that’s pretty rare in equines, but if you feel it’s a possibility, certainly worth checking out! What symptoms are you seeing?
Trouble/discomfort urinating, frequent urination, excessive drinking, and she developed a few urine sores - they cleared up with some attention and we thought maybe she was just in heat, as this is the first month we’ve owned her, but it’s been three weeks now and nothing has improved or changed - her skin is getting pink and red again from the urine dribbles.
Is she displaying like she is in heat? Some mares have uncomfortable cycles in the spring when they resume cycling after winter. Some mares just display more; I have one like that.
It could be a UTI although I’ve never heard of a horse with one; but I’d ask the vet about other repro issues and solutions too.
I did know of a gelding that had some kind of bladder stone or crystal issue; so it could be urine related but not a UTI.
Destin for the urine scalds until your vet is out. You can put her tail in a mud-knot if you aren’t in the midst of fly season.
Please keep us posted.
Zinc oxide in tubes at the drug store is better than perfumed ointments
@S1969 - We thought maybe she was in heat at first, but we got her in the barn on Feb 12th and it’s been consistent from then until now - she doesn’t seem to do it in response to any new horses or situations.
@Sansena - Yes, we’ve used Desitin for the sores (which cleared them up) as well as cleaning the area with warm water and drying it off everyday.
You might be looking at a uterine infection, which are far more common than UTIs. Was she ever bred, or did her previous owner ever mention marbling her?
Keep us posted!
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Doing what, exactly, though?
Displaying (“winking”) and dribbling urine is normal. It might appear that she is having trouble urinating but isn’t. It is also quite normal for mares to have abnormal cycles at this time of year.
https://largeanimal.vethospitals.ufl.edu/2014/09/23/equine-reproduction-behavior-transition-phases/
What makes you think she is drinking excessively? Are you tracking what she is drinking? And has it changed in the last month, and if so, by how much?
It’s more that the stream comes in spurts, one or two at a time, and then she will circle the stall and try again. She very gently tries to pee as if there is pain she is trying to avoid. It’s much less of a controlled dribble or display. We’re getting the vet out to take a sample, and if it comes back clean we’ll know it’s something else, but I would rather just be safe and get it checked even if it’s rare.
Is she caslicked? This sounds a little like a mare I knew who pooled urine and then got a uterine infection from that. A caslick kept it from recurring.
Nope, she’s never been considered for breeding. I’ll keep everyone posted on what the vet says!
A caslick is often found in performance mares if their conformation requires it. It’s not just a breeding thing.
Very curious what the vet says! Good luck, hope it’s a quick and easy fix 
Does she have a temperature? I had a mare with a kidney infection and she had a really high fever and peed gallons and gallons. It is rare, but it can happen. Antibiotics took care of it, but she felt pretty horrible for a few days.
It came on very quickly.
Hi All! Update - she had some elevated blood readings, but after deeper testing nothing was found. The vet did find some sores and crud around her vulva deep in the folds which she cleaned up/out, and that alone seems to have made her MUCH more comfortable. I think she was trying to pee with saddle sores, for a good analogy. I’m just glad that she’s been given the all clear and we’re taking care of her external condition!
Glad to hear she’s feeling so much better! And thanks for updating us all! 
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