Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition

Return to Website

Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition

Welcome to my forum.

Here you will find more than 6 years of questions and my answers. It is searchable and offers a great deal of information.

Currently, I am discontinuing new questions. This may change in the future, but in the meantime, please know that It has been a true pleasure serving you.

Take a look at my Nutrition Library and Tips of the Month for a variety of answers on selected topics. Be sure to sign up for my monthly e-newsletter, Forage for Thought.

I also have a growing number of recordings on "Teleseminars on Nutrition Topics that Concern You" as well as the new, Spotlight on Equine Nutrition Series -- printed versions of favorite teleseminars.

And finally, look for my articles in a variety of local publications and online newsletters, as well as the Horse Journal, where I am the Contributing Nutrition Editor.

All the best,

Dr. Getty

Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition

This Forum is Locked

Author

Comment

j

Dec 15, 2006 - 6:18PM

Horse losing weight

Hi, our horse ate acorns. Shortly thereafter we noticed her losing weight. Now she doesn't eat her hay. We ahve had the vet twice. Todays bloodwork showed a low white blood count, a low lymphocite count and high calcium. Is this acorn related or are we looking at cancer (lymphoma)? She is 14. We don't have a lot of money to put into her but we love her. Help!

Where are you from? NC

How did you locate this forum? search engine

Email

Dec 15th, 2006 - 6:18 PM

d

Dec 15, 2006 - 7:21PM

Re: Horse losing weight

Hi Jan,

I'm sorry to hear about your mare. Acorns, in small amounts, are generally harmless. But, they are toxic if eaten in substantial quantity (and so are the leaves of oak trees).

Her low wbc count could definitely be due to the toxic acorns. Did you have her liver tested? Low calcium could be a number of things, including damage to the parathyroid gland. Without more information, I can't be any more specific. What did your vet suggest?

Dr. Getty

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO

Email

Dec 15th, 2006 - 7:21 PM