Worried about Turk

[vels mum]

It is not unusual for Turk to get loose droppings but a few days on pink powder usually sorts him out, if he is stressed he will get lose also and the simplest of things like a day in the stable can set him off.
However he has been loose now for over a week back and fore. But mum phoned me this morning to say he has been really loose last night.
He has been on 2 scoops of pink powder in morning and evening feed now for over a week.
Should I try cutting out his pasture mix, he has been getting a little in his feeds for around 2 months now, he used to get pony nuts instead.
Also should I get vet out?
Any ideas to why he might be loose?
He is 26 years old.

[GR & Me]

Sorry no advice, I would be unsure of what to do aswell but I really hope you find out what is causing this and its just a simple solution that is needed.

Hope he is feeling better soon!

[so-n-so]

have you opened a new bale of haylage? it could be a rich part in the haylage that was a bit acidy - my lot sometimes get it with a new bale or a rich part..

or it could just be old age, things not working as well as they did, my old boy always had not-so-good poo..

[Smurf]

I mind you saying that you had bought haylage but not sure if you have been feeding it to him for the past month or so. Could you talk to the vet and give him a sample to analyse? As he is maturing he might be finding things harder to digest?

[My Crazy Clan]

We everything thats going around at the moment I think I would call the vet.

[coloredred]

Is he getting enough fibre/forage? You have snow at the moment don't you? He may not be getting enough grass so maybe up his hay a bit.

[Mobell]

Is he otherwise his normal self. Have you checked his mucous membranes. I nearly lost one of mine with jaundice this week and although I check them over every day its usually in bad lighting. Having never seen or heard of anyone with a horse with jaundice before I don't always look too closely at their eyes. I would call your vet even if its just for a chat about him.

[bimba]

It could be that both his routine and diet have been different with the snow (don't know if his routine has been significantly different but where you are I'd imagine it's been pretty snowy!) and being that bit older his digestion isn't able to adapt to the changes as easily as a younger horse might. If you're really worried get the vet to analyse a sample to check there's nothing nasty going on, has be got a raised temperature or any other symptoms or is it just lose droppings?

[Catg]

Oh no poor Turk! Sorry ot hear he's not feeling well hun, I don't having anything further to add I'm afraid, I would definitely call the vet for a chat at the least.

Sending lovely Turk healing vibes xxx

[vels mum]

Thaks for all the replies.
So-n-so and PL - No ive not fed Turk any haylage this winter as that really does give him the scour!
Coloured I think he is getting enough forage, he gets 4 large haynets a day which is no more or less than he always gets.
Mobell - He is totally himself, no visual signs of soreness and he is the same weight as always (a bit porky :rolleyes: )
How do I check his mucous membranes? Is that just the colour of his gums?
Bimba - Surprisingly the horses routine has been the same right through the snow as they have been turnedout every day and dont have grass through the winter anyway.
I would be surprised if his temp was up but will check it tomorrow anyway.
Catg, GR&me & Rhea - thanks for the healing vibes! x
I am now thinking it may be down to the chaff im feeding, its called greengold and is pure alfalfa mix. I was feeding a alfalfa chaff last year to them and remember I changed back to just grass as Turk was loose back then but cant remember if it did any good or not!
Will change his chaff, keep him on PP and see if he dries up, if not better in 4 days vet will be coming out.
Obviously if his mood changes, temps change or he seems in pain the vet will be called straight away but Turk does tend to be loose at the slightest of things so will try changing diet slightly first.

[amandaxx1]

Nothing to add but hope hes better asap xxxx

[My Crazy Clan]

Just a thought, what about worms? I know they can cause the runs? Mine are due soon and it just made me wonder.

[vels mum]

Just a thought, what about worms? I know they can cause the runs? Mine are due soon and it just made me wonder.

Good point, I have a worm count kit for both Vel and Turk waiting to be used, will get poo samples off asap!
They were wormed with equest (green) and equitape in September so worm count should be normal but worth checking.
Thanks Rhea
Anyone else think it could be worms or would Vel not be loose too???

[Mobell]

Sorry been away. Mucous membranes are gums, eyes and inside nostrils these should be salmon in colour.

[Catg]

Good point, I have a worm count kit for both Vel and Turk waiting to be used, will get poo samples off asap!
They were wormed with equest (green) and equitape in September so worm count should be normal but worth checking.
Thanks Rhea
Anyone else think it could be worms or would Vel not be loose too???

I don't think Vel would necessarily be loose too, their is such a huge age gap between them it's bound to effect Turk more than Vel if it is worms.

Hopefully it's a simple as that and he just needs treating xxx

[vels mum]

Solved the problem!
Its the alfalfa chaff!!!!!
I should have known as he was loose on it last year, but he was also loose due to his back injury and the haylage last winter so totally forgot he couldnt have alfalfa!
Feel terrible and mum just shook her head at me when she realised I was feeding him alfalfa.
Ah well normal poops now :) :lol:

[vels mum]

Am still gonna do worm check though (if I ever remember to take sample bags to stables! - memory like a siv atm!)

[My Crazy Clan]

Glad its nothing serious.