I am very concerned about Whistler's loss of weight. Up to recently his diminished topline has been my chief concern, however over the past few weeks there has been significant drop in weight. His case history is up-to-date and I have posted photos that were taken today (July 6, 2020). In brief, his bloodwork test results (May 6, 2020) suggest that IR and ACTH are under control; his coat, mane and tail are shiny and healthy; no issues with lameness or soreness anywhere; no discharge from nose or eyes; gums have a nice pink colour; appetite is good - finishes everything (today I increased his hay from 18 lbs/day to having it available all day long. Stool is normal; seems to be drinking okay; and, there is no change in behaviour. His daily routine has remained constant. Whistler is in a large dry lot by himself with companions nearby. The dry lot has a west facing shelter, a protective treeline along the west boundary fence and a track that leads to a shady "lounge" area. I use UltraShield daily for the bugs.

The weather has been unduly hot for the past 2 weeks ranging from high 20s to 30+ degrees Celcius during the day. There doesn't appear to be signs of heat related stress, for example, no placing or excessive sweating, lethargy. But I thought I would include this as a possible factor.

Please have a look at the photos and comment. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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Reta
Sept 7, 2017
Gananoque, ON, CA

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Reta%20and%20Whistler .

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=10035

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Reta
Sept 7, 2017
Gananoque, ON, CA

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Reta%20and%20Whistler .

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=10035

Subject line should read Loss of Weight.

In addition to the information provided above, Whistler was dewormed January 2020 for tapes with pyrantel pamoate (Exodus) and May 2020 with Ivermectin (liquid form). A fecal sample will be sent for analyzing tomorrow. Whistler is not being exercised at present due to his condition. I consider his body condition score to be "4".

Please let me know if more information is needed.

Reta
Sept 7, 2017
Gananoque, ON, CA

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Reta%20and%20Whistler .

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=10035

Whistler is at my farm.

I, too, am concerned about how 'pointy' he has become over the past few months.

I just wanted to add.....Reta,correct me if I'm wrong.....that he hasn't actually lost weight, according to Reta's diligent  tape measuring. She uses the calculations ,rather than just the weight tape around barrel.

How is that possible?

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Lorna  in Eastern  Ontario
2002
Check out FAQ : https://www.ecirhorse.org/FAQ.php

Sherry, Whistler's teeth were floated May 2020 with points found on the right side only. I haven't noticed any difficulty with chewing. He typically finishes anything put in from of him including hay, Timothy Balance Cubes and split peas. It is difficult to assess water consumption as he shares a water trough with his two companions. Occasionally when I'm at the barn I see him having a good helping of water.

I have included some other facts to help sort out this conundrum. On June 9, 2020 Whistler weighed 948 lbs (approx.) and was noticeably thinner so hay was bumped from 17 lbs/day to 18 lbs. By July 6th he had gained about 14 lbs. Although there was weight gain, it seemed like his body condition had worsened. His spine/vertebrae are quite prominent as are his hips and pelvic bones. We are still in a heat wave with temperatures in the 30+ degrees Celsius. Tomorrow I'll take his temperature and check for signs of dehydration. As mentioned previously, he has not been ridden for the past two weeks due to poor body condition, however, previously, his weekly exercise included approximately 4-6 hours of trail riding with walk, trot and canter. Fecal results today showed an absence of tapeworms and a few strongyles. There was no egg count provided as testing was done locally at the vet's office.

I have uploaded an additional photo today to show prominent pelvic bones.

The continued decline in body condition may in part be due to heat stress; although decline was noted prior to high temperatures. Any thoughts about other possible underlying causes for these changes and strategies to regain good body condition?
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Reta
Sept 7, 2017
Gananoque, ON, CA

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Reta%20and%20Whistler .

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=10035

Hi Reta,
Aside from being a bit on the thin side, he looks like a glowing picture of health.  I did not see Timothy balance cubes in his case history.  Did you switch the Purina for balance cubes?  When I added up the hay and Purina feed weights, the total seemed just a little light.  I’m glad you increased the hay.

Two of my horses had similar issues this spring.  As they were both in their 30’s and likely to have decreased chewing efficiencies, I replaced their hay with balance cubes, leaving them with enough hay for entertainment.  I was pleased at how quickly I began to see results.  As Whistler eats everything he is fed, I would keep increasing the balance cubes until you see results and then begin to taper them back.  

I’d probably also go back to exercising him lightly.  A better topline isn’t just the result of extra padding along the spine but a general improvement in muscle tone, resulting in less ‘sag’.  Even walking would help this, especially if he has to step over the occasional pole or tree branch.

I did a double take when I saw the photo of the barn interior.  It is so similar to mine with the whitewashed ancient beams and the newer stalls fit in between.

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Thanks, Martha, for your feedback. The TBCs are used in his Nose-It ball for his entertainment and on occasion as rewards. Once the weather cools down I'll continue with light riding. 
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Reta
Sept 7, 2017
Gananoque, ON, CA

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Reta%20and%20Whistler .

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=10035

Reta,

From the photos, the muscle loss along the topline is far more evident than shoulders, neck, upper legs and propulsive muscles of the hindquarters. The ribs are more prominent than they should be but he has some abdominal laxity and/or distention that is pulling the skin tight over the ribs and contributing to that appearance. Heat stress can cause dehydration but this causes evenly distributed weight loss and I don't see that.

I know his ACTH is testing well within normal but the distribution of muscle loss is highly suspicious first and foremost for uncontrolled PPID. I would also do a serum vitamin E test. Two weeks without exercise won't do this, and you mentioned it has been ongoing over a few months.

With Strongyles on an unquantified fecal flotation in a PPID horse I would definitely deworm him. Also repeat the fecal 5 weeks after that deworming.

As horses age, the angle of the chewing surfaces changes and force of chewing declines.  He may  need to get some or all of his calories from softened cubes.
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Eleanor in PA

www.drkellon.com 
EC Owner 2001

Thank you all for your feedback. I am following up with a complete bloodwork, ACTH testing, Serum Vitamin E test, and teeth check. Dr. Kellon, I haven't noticed any other signs of uncontrolled PPID.  Does "distribution of muscle loss" usually appear on its own? Can other symptoms appear simultaneously? Would poor saddle fit have any bearing on muscle wastage  that you see?  Another question regarding teeth. His teeth were floated May 2020 - would there be a change so quickly "chewing declines"? Does the fact that he finishes all his hay and other feeds mean that he is not digesting properly? I haven't noticed any anomalies with eating or in manure. As always, I look forward to your replies.
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Reta
Sept 7, 2017
Gananoque, ON, CA

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Reta%20and%20Whistler .

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=10035