Passing blood?

[harleydales]

I'm a bit concerned - when I was de-pooping Jenny and Monty's shelter tonight, I noticed a little blood on the straw beside the poop. I thought it was a bit weird and carried on - and there was more by the other poops. Not a huge amount, and it is difficult to tell if there was wee there as well as it is an earth floor so the under layer of straw is always a bit wet.

Both of them are fine in themselves, the poops are nice and 'normal', not dry and hard or anything.

Anyone any ideas?

[harveydales]

Sorry, I haven't come across this but it is worrying. I suppose there are endless possible causes, most of them nothing to worry about but I think you need to find out whether it is connected with the pee or poo and whether it is Jenny or Monty. If the blood was near the poo but not on it, then would that mean it is more likely urine connected? If there were blood in the poo from higher up in the intestine, it would be very dark in colour I think. Bladder/kidney infection? Worm problems? Have you had a look at their rear ends for any signs of something amiss? I would give the vet a ring if the same happens tomorrow.

fingers crossed it is nothing serious.

[Debbie]

Oh dear... I agree with Pam on this one, you might need to do a bit of sleuthing to see which one's having the trouble. If its wee near the poo, would that mean Jenny? As a mare's more apt to wee near the poo??

Has Jenny's meds changed recently? Could she be having a reaction?? Are either of them depressed or running a temp??

Might be worth ringing the vets just to ask general questions on this one. Fingers crossed its nothing

[harleydales]

Neither depressed, both running around last night and this morning, both eating and drinking.
Both recently wormed (in the last month).
Both had tet jab early this week ??
Other than that no change in med or feed for either.
Poos look normal, not dark or stained, no funny smell.
Blood is bright red, not the browny colour you sometimes see.
Both back ends are clean.

I will examine poo very carefully tonight!!

[Debbie]

See if you can be near either of them for a wee. Bright red sounds like a bladder/kidney infection. That's why I was asking about the depressed, running temp, but that will happen only when the infection's a bit advanced.

It'll help if you can pinpoint which one's doing it. On memory, when I encountered a two year old with cystitis, she had a 'grainy' feel on the skin near her vulva, you might feel around Jenny's (if she'll let you) to see if it feels grainy. It felt a little like sandpaper grit. The vet said it was from the crystals she was passing. She cleared up within 5 days of ABs, and was feeling much better after the first two days.

[harleydales]

Er, no Debbie, the chances of copping a feel of Jenny's private bits are less than good! Having said that, with 2 of us we might manage. She's so wary of people I hate doing anything that will upset her.

From the size of the poos, I would opt for Monty I think, as they are the smaller piles!
Lord, the things we endure for these horses!

[Debbie]

I didn't think you'd get the chance, but worth a mention. Best of luck trying to sort which one it is. Of course they couldn't do this before the vet came

[harveydales]

Hope you get to the bottom of it soon - no pun intended!

[PonyGirl]

I do hope this is sorted soon.

[valerie n scout]

i dont supose its not the ponies could something have been killed in there by a rat you said it was a field shelter and therefore open i hope you get to the bottom of it soon no pun intended xx

[harveydales]

I was ablut to suggest the same - are you sure a cat hasn't been there killing a mouse?

I've just remembered from years ago, I found spots of bright red blood next to my mare's poos a couple of times. In her case it did turn out to be a bladder infection.

Any more news on Jenny and Monty?

[harleydales]

No more blood spots so I'm not worrying unduly for now, just keeping an eye.

Monty went for a wee over the weekend when I was passing - I leapt out of the car and sprinted across the field to have a look!! He was most put out!! And i couldn't see anything either.

Yes, the cat could have been in there killing, but it was blood by 2 different poos, which made me think it wascoming from a horse.

I'll keep an eye and if it starts happening again I'll talk to the vet.

They are both very happy and full of beans which is the main thing.

[Debbie]

harleydales said:

Monty went for a wee over the weekend when I was passing - I leapt out of the car and sprinted across the field to have a look!! He was most put out!! And i couldn't see anything either.

So sorry Monty, but I can just picture his expression over you sprinting over for a closer look Probably thinking it would be a good idea to have a privy put up

I hadn't thought about a cat or rat killing something in the shelter, that's certainly and idea.

It took quite awhile before we cottoned onto the two year old having the bladder infection. She came in one morning with her head on fire and refused to touch her grain. Pretty sure sign to get the vet out.

Fingers crossed it resolves itself instead. Want some dried cranberries for their tea?

[zeldalithgow]

Could it be a little tear at the anus

[harleydales]

All still seems clear, LOTS of poops in the shed today and yesterday because of the bad weather, and no blood at all.

Yes, Zelda, it could have been something like that - they drink from the river and I'm wondering if when it was in spate they didn't like to go in and got a bit dehydrated (though there was water pooled in the field), making the poos harder??

Who knows! It is no worse and seems better, so I'll monitor it and take it from there.