Thursday, March 18, 2010

Well, We're On The Fence.........


Kola and Misty had there Equine Wellness visit today. Misty's body score a 4.5 /9 and Kola a 6/9. Last year Kola was scored at an 8. That being that, Dr. Schreiner isn't convinced that Kola is Cushings, short of doing the steroid test which puts Kola at risk for laminitis. At this point in time, since we're all on the fence with this, it was unanimous to hold for now and see how she sheds out. The Doc with very pleased with our progress with Kola's weight loss and of course once the Doc was here, I was able to pluck mounds of hair off Kola, so I am somewhat relieved for now and we'll wait and see.
Both girls received their rabies and Potomac horse fever shots today and I will give the flu/rhino in 2 weeks and the 4-way in another 3 weeks from there. Kola had her teeth floated and her teeth looked great, Misty had hers done last year and they still looked fine. Eyes were the same as last year, except Kola has a little tiny skin tag type thing on her right lower lid which again we will watch. Doc also attempted to flush out her tear ducts as Kola tends to drain sometimes, since she was already sedated for the teeth float, but that was not very successful so I will start her on eye drops over the weekend and see if we can't clear her tear ducts that way.
Misty has a little loss of flexion in the left knee she injured last winter and I will start a joint supplement as soon as possible, although it didn't seem to impede her in the pasture this week as she ramrodded back and forth in her usual Mustang imitation. Also Misty seems to have developed a lump on her trachea midway down. She is not bothered by it. She isn't coughing. So it will be another thing we'll watch. More than likely a hematoma from a whack or something she may have gotten into.
Both girls were well behaved for their visit and I am pleased to find them both in relatively good health. This is precisely why I like this wellness program. It makes for good record keeping and consistent care. And it's nice to hear that one is a good "horse mommy".

10 comments:

Jeni said...

Wow. great vet visit! I'm going to look into wellness program here... sounds like it's a money saver?

Jean said...

Sounds like a good report card on the whole. It's always nice to hear the horses are healthy.

cdncowgirl said...

I wish we had that wellness program here. Seems to make regular, routine care much easier.

Mikey said...

I'm totally going to talk to my boss about a wellness program. Such a good idea!!!

lopinon4 said...

I've been on the wellness program at Elkhorn for 3 years now. I LOVE DR SCHREINER!! She is so cute! :) I am a Dr Tully fan, though. He's been my vet since I was a kid and had my first pony (he was hot then, and he's STILL hot), so I use him when I can. Dr. Schreiner came out a couple of springs ago, when Rick wasn't available, and I really liked her.

Enough of my ramble...I'm glad your wellness visit went well. Can you cross your fingers for my bunch? They're getting theirs on Monday. I'm hoping the Perchie cross I have worked with the last several years hasn't developed EPSM (she shows a few signs), my Arab/ASB is probably good to go, but I would like to see his current feed program be evaluated. As for CJ, the vet always comments about what great shape he is in, and then I get to remind him that he has navicular. :) HA!

John and Regina Zdravich said...

Perhaps Kola does not have Cushings??? That would be a relief. You have reminded me that I have to schedule teeth floating...

Fantastyk Voyager said...

It was surprising to read that Misty's body score was lower than Kola's since you have been so worried about Kola. What does the vet consider to be a 'good' number? I know they aren't healthy when they are too fat either.

Callie said...

An ideal body score for any horse is 5. Last year Kola was really overweight and she's down from an 8 to a 6. That's an accomplishment. Misty cannot lose anymore weight, Misty wasn't dieting, just harder to keep weight on her. Kola get fat fast.

Rising Rainbow said...

Sitting on the fence is always hard. But as long as she's doing ok, that's what really matters.

1horsetown said...

From a newer reader: Never, EVER do a Dex Suppression test. The rate of founder afterwards is about 30%. The vets will tell you it is perfectly safe when it's done right---------WRONG.

My horse was visually diagnosed as Cushings by my locals vets. I have a better chance of hitting the Lottery than having a 6 year old horse with Cushings.

Anyway, join the Yahoo group, Equine Cushings/Insulin Resistance. They are the absolute BEST source of info and support and it's FREE. They aren't selling anything, it's all people that have horses with those issues.

I wouldn't have a sound happy horse today if it weren't for them.

Kelly and Shorty in Iowa