My 26-year-old horse isn't eating and is lying down. What's wrong?

Hi there and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! My first worry with older horses is their dentition (teeth). If you have never had your horse's teeth floated, it may be time for that. Lost teeth, impactions of feed, uneven wear, etc can all affect how much and how comfortably your mare eats. Your vet can perform this, after an initial exam. Best pulp can be good to put some weight on them, if it's a simple caloric factor. Last but not least, if you haven't dewormed in a while-consider taking in a fecal sample to your veterinarian to be checked. These simple things I try to take care of first, I hope this helps you!

If she's not eating, she's eating painful, colicky, or both. Take a heart rate if you know how to do this--normal is 20-40 beats/minute. If it's higher than this, she's painful and needs to see a veterinarian. If she is rolling, looking at her sides, or not passing manure, she needs to see a vet as these are signs of colic. If you really think she's resting her hocks, then they are sore, and she needs xrays to see what kind of arthritis is going on and what steps you need to take to make her more comfortable. Hope that helps!

She needs to be examined by a vet if she doesn't have enough strength to stand. That is very concerning so please call your vet and have her seen as soon as possible. Your vet can run lab-work to help diagnose and treat her problem.

Your horse could have a mild colic or some other medical issue going on. I would watch him carefully to make sure he starts to eat normally, is drinking water, and passing stool. If he is rolling, looking at his sides, acting uncomfortable, and not passing stool he is likely feeling colicky and needs to see a veterinarian. Hope that helps!

Hello. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Sorry to hear that Betsy is having this issue. At 9 years old she is not old. Horses can live to be 30 years old!! She is a youngster! I suggest you get your vet out to check her. One of the most common reasons for diarrhea in a horse is intestinal parasites. She may need deworming. Other possibilities are: 1. bacterial colitis 2. stress 3. diet change 4. Potomac horse fever 5. toxicity 6. excessive sand build-up in the GI tract 7. enteroliths Don't leave diarrhea un-treated for too long - this can make horses dehydrated and that will cause more issues. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I'm sorry to hear about your dog. It sounds like Cash needs to be evaluated by a veterinarian. If he has had such an abrupt change and is now not eating or getting up, I would recommend he be seen as soon as possible. Unfortunately that would mean an emergency vet visit but for an 11 1/2 year old Lab it could mean severe pain from arthritis, trauma, some internal organ disease, cancer, or some infection. There are just too many possibilities at this point. If it's nothing too serious you will have alleviated his issues today and have peace of mind. If it is something serious then he will be in the place that is best suited to take the best care of him. Good luck and keep us posted!

Poor Molly! It sounds like she's very sick. Mucus dripping from her nose could be caused by a severe respiratory infection, a problem called choke which is caused by food blocking the esophagus, or some other type of illness. Her lack of appetite and weight loss may be related to this, or could be due to a separate problem. Regardless, if she hasn't eaten in several days, this is an extremely serious problem - she may die without prompt veterinary care, so I would recommend calling an equine vet out to come and see her immediately. He/she can do a complete exam and some diagnostic testing if needed to help determine what's wrong and get her started on appropriate treatment. The foal should start to become used to you the more you are around - feeding and handling Molly, etc. Over time, he will become less afraid and you can begin gently handling him as well. Go slowly and take your time to earn his trust.