Dr. K Blog On Hay Belly - Could Relevante Have This?
Dr. Kellon recently posted a blog on Hay Belly - possible causes in older horses could be "weak muscles in the abdominal wall from uncontrolled PPID or poor fermentation."
Checklist for avoiding/dealing with it are:
I'm wondering if Relevante has hay belly. I took photos of him front/hind/side and posted them in his photo album...they should appear on page 1. His latest hay analysis is posted (9-17-20) and his case history is up to date. His hay is tightly balanced. I worm him with invermectin spring and fall with a month of Strongid C in between. He gets regular fecal tests. Dr. Kellon
said...
If your fecal results are all acceptable you do not have to change anything but it would be wise to use something to get tapeworms at least once a year. A one month supply of the product you linked would do it. (The product i linked to was Strongid C)
He also gets Forco in his daily supplements along with Uckele Aloe Vera (made to support your horse’s stomach and intestines while maintaining healthy gut bacteria, normal blood sugar and lipid levels). I know the belly is due in part to his PPID/weakened abdominal muscles though I do believe him to be controlled. Exercise has been on/off (more off) due to his original laminitis episode and then issues with hind feet/broken back hoof to pattern axis which we are correcting through trim. He has improved to the point where over the past three weeks I've been having him walked every day in the arena (first week 10 minutes, 2nd week 15, this week 30).
I'm concerned about the possibility of "excessive fluid and gas due to poor hay quality or disruption of microorganisms in the bowel." The hay is from our own farm and is the subject of the most recent test in Sept.
The vet is coming Monday to vaccinate, pull blood for an ACTH test and take new rads of the hind feet. Is there anything else I can do to support him in terms of the hay belly? (Is it hay belly) Any other test/exam I should have the vet do or look at? Sorry about the long question...:)
--
Lynn
Beavercreek, Ohio
March 2018
Relevante Case History
Relevante Photo Album
Ω
Checklist for avoiding/dealing with it are:
- Broad spectrum deworming against tapeworms
- PPID testing
- Switch to high quality hay that is soft/pliable
- Feed 8 oz/day of premoistened psyllium husk as prebiotic and to help regulate fluid content in the bowel
- Feed a probiotic with high digestive enzyme activity including cellulase
- Regular light exercise to improve abdominal tone and intestinal function.
I'm wondering if Relevante has hay belly. I took photos of him front/hind/side and posted them in his photo album...they should appear on page 1. His latest hay analysis is posted (9-17-20) and his case history is up to date. His hay is tightly balanced. I worm him with invermectin spring and fall with a month of Strongid C in between. He gets regular fecal tests. Dr. Kellon
said...
If your fecal results are all acceptable you do not have to change anything but it would be wise to use something to get tapeworms at least once a year. A one month supply of the product you linked would do it. (The product i linked to was Strongid C)
He also gets Forco in his daily supplements along with Uckele Aloe Vera (made to support your horse’s stomach and intestines while maintaining healthy gut bacteria, normal blood sugar and lipid levels). I know the belly is due in part to his PPID/weakened abdominal muscles though I do believe him to be controlled. Exercise has been on/off (more off) due to his original laminitis episode and then issues with hind feet/broken back hoof to pattern axis which we are correcting through trim. He has improved to the point where over the past three weeks I've been having him walked every day in the arena (first week 10 minutes, 2nd week 15, this week 30).
I'm concerned about the possibility of "excessive fluid and gas due to poor hay quality or disruption of microorganisms in the bowel." The hay is from our own farm and is the subject of the most recent test in Sept.
The vet is coming Monday to vaccinate, pull blood for an ACTH test and take new rads of the hind feet. Is there anything else I can do to support him in terms of the hay belly? (Is it hay belly) Any other test/exam I should have the vet do or look at? Sorry about the long question...:)
--
Lynn
Beavercreek, Ohio
March 2018
Relevante Case History
Relevante Photo Album
Ω