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
View Entire Thread
Re: Confused about testing for IR

Hi Heather,

Quiessence takes several months to see the effect, combined with a low starch diet -- so it truly is too soon.

But, if your horse has a colonic ulcer, I would prefer that you stop feeding Quiessence temporarily. When your vet did blood work, did he/she also check for the possiblity of a colonic ulcer? These are much harder to treat and are characterized by colic and possible bloating. Have your vet check his blood protein, albumin, calcium, white blood cells, and fibrinogen levels, as well as do a fecal blood test.

Melanomas? Elaborate, please.

I would like to spend some time visiting with you over the phone if you're agreeable to a private consultation. That way I can go over everything that is occuring in detail. Sounds like your vet suspects an ulcer. As far as a probiotic is concerned, I highly recommend Daily Start to boost overall immune function as well as help the hind gut microbial population.

So let me know if I can assist you further.

All the best,

Dr. Getty
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse

Heather
Thank you so much Dr. Getty. I'm really hoping he is not nor becomes IR, it kinda scares me. It has been about 2 weeks since starting the Quiessence and I have not noticed any changes, his neck remains cresty and he has fat pad behind his shoulders. How long should it take the Q. to work?

Also, he coliced again on Tuesday, manure was dry but no impaction. The vet pulled blood to test his thyroid, we both do not like how "round" he is in the middle and with the amount of work he's been getting (ridden 3-4 times per week, 1 hour each ride with lots of trotting) she said he should be starting to lose some of his weight. I've now switched him over to 1/2 cup (before soaked)beet pulp, plus his normal Equishine (vit./min. supplement), 2 oz Nutraflax, 4oz Quiessence and Strongid C2x. I stopped the Tractguard on the vet's advice - she said he heard a lot of water in his GI tract and considering how round he looks, she wondered if he could be drawing too much water into his GI tract. No more Safe and Easy either. The vet has put him on 4000mg of Cimetdine, which hopefully will ease his stomach and keep his melanomas at bay. He does not live a lifestyle of traveling, showing, confined to a stall, etc, so he's not a prime candidate for ulcers. I'm wondering if I should also try the pre/pro-biotics again, although he coliced while on that as well. Oh, the vet also mentioned that he seems to have a slow digestive process, considering how long it takes him to pass the oil, even when there is little impaction found....she thinks his food may in there too long and starts to "go bad" (not her words, it's just been a long day and I can't think right now ).

I don't know what else I can do, I feel like I've done everything I can and yet he still has issues. He has a heart of gold and I love him dearly, any input you can provide would be deeply appreciated.

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO

Re: Confused about testing for IR

Thanks again Dr. Getty. I think I would like to do the phone consult. when I get my new hay and have the results from the test, then perhaps we could talk about a custom vit/min mix to compliment my hay (as well as everything else). I'm hoping to have hay by the 2nd or 3rd week in June.

She said ulcers could be a possibility, despite him not quite fitting the bill of the typical horse with ulcers. She mentioned it could also be a tumor or slow transit time. Speaking of which, he has had 2 melanomas removed before the age of 8. One was removed before I bought him and another vet I was using removed the 2nd (that one grew very quickly out of the blue and then ruptured and was oozing black goo, so the vet wanted to remove it). He has several small melanomas on his body, but a couple are not in the typical places they are found on most horses, such as one on his hock and one on his flank. Yep, he's a gray. But he's quite young for melamonas, he'll be turning 10 this month.

Thanks again and I'll be in touch!

Where are you from? WI

How did you locate this forum? internet

Re: Confused about testing for IR

Greetings Heather,

I'll look forward to visiting with you. I'll be out of town from June 10 - 16th. So just let me know and we'll find a convenient time for both of us.

It's difficult to prevent melanomas. We'll talk about that, as well.

Best regards,

Dr. Getty
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse

Heather
Thanks again Dr. Getty. I think I would like to do the phone consult. when I get my new hay and have the results from the test, then perhaps we could talk about a custom vit/min mix to compliment my hay (as well as everything else). I'm hoping to have hay by the 2nd or 3rd week in June.

She said ulcers could be a possibility, despite him not quite fitting the bill of the typical horse with ulcers. She mentioned it could also be a tumor or slow transit time. Speaking of which, he has had 2 melanomas removed before the age of 8. One was removed before I bought him and another vet I was using removed the 2nd (that one grew very quickly out of the blue and then ruptured and was oozing black goo, so the vet wanted to remove it). He has several small melanomas on his body, but a couple are not in the typical places they are found on most horses, such as one on his hock and one on his flank. Yep, he's a gray. But he's quite young for melamonas, he'll be turning 10 this month.

Thanks again and I'll be in touch!

Where are you from? Bayfield

How did you locate this forum? CO