Alfie has been off colour for a month or two. Nothing specific, just lost his colty mojo a little, and just not looking tip top. My horsey friend, said he has definitely had a growth spurt, and is probably just using his stores for that. He was weaned just before, and he's not on much besides grass, so he's just had a little hard feed now and again.
We collected Skye, his new mate on 16 march, as I've not got anywhere to isolate, and she came from a good yard, and looks fabulous, we just let her in with the others. stupid I know, but didn't have a lot of choice
Anyway. Tonight, I was talking to him, and discovered a lump under his jaw. It is on the inside of his under jaw, about where his molars are, and on investigation, I discovered it was an abscess that has burst. Which would explain why he's been a bit glum recently.
I trimmed the hair away, flushed with dettol solution, applied wound powder and iodine, and called the vet for advice.
His first words? "any chance it might be strangle?"
He thinks it's highly unlikely, none of the crew have left the field, or had contact with other horses, Skye looks great and has been here for nearly two months, no nasal discharge, and the abscess is under the jaw, and strangles abscesses are down the outside from ear to neck.
This doesn't stop me worrying! I've got 5 ponies at mine, friend has 10 on her yard, and I look after 2 others!
An outbreak could be CATASTROPHIC! Please hold my hand and tell me it will all be ok!!