Bad Handling or Infection? IMPORTANT!

SalUnionJack · 08-01-2008, 03:23 PM

The miniature shetland stallion Snuffy (for whom I am the prime carer, although there are one or two other people involved), who is 19, has recently become very sensitive around his right ear. He has an awful lot of fluff, forelock and mane, and it can become very difficult to try and get a look, as he can often become violent in a panicked frenzy. I'm almost always very gentle with him (I have given him a few smacks, only on the shoulder or chest, and always following aggressive behaviour, but never near his face or ears.) but it's as if he's used to being smacked around the face.
I'm trying to rule out either infection or bad handling, and not sure how to do each one. I don't want to get the vet out and completely dope him up to find theres nothing wrong, so if anybody has any suggestions, it'd be great.

I've also already spoken to the others carers, and both have denied hitting or swatting him around the face.

ridetolive · 08-01-2008, 08:13 PM

It sounds like something IN his ear, like an infection. If he gets panicky about it, and you've never had an issue with ear sensitivity before and no one is hitting him, it probably HURTS so he doesnt trust anyone to get a look at it.
Might be worth a twitch and a vet visit!

ridetolive · 08-01-2008, 08:14 PM

Sorry, missed that you didnt want a vet. Id say get a helper, and a nose twitch (with someone who knows how to use it clearly) and get a look at it.

SalUnionJack · 08-02-2008, 03:35 AM

Thanks, I'll try him with a twitch. He should be receptive to it as he uses his muzzle alot for grooming

08-01-2008, 03:23 PM	#1
SalUnionJack Full Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Guernsey, Channel Islands, UK. Posts: 35 Images: 3	Bad Handling or Infection? IMPORTANT! The miniature shetland stallion Snuffy (for whom I am the prime carer, although there are one or two other people involved), who is 19, has recently become very sensitive around his right ear. He has an awful lot of fluff, forelock and mane, and it can become very difficult to try and get a look, as he can often become violent in a panicked frenzy. I'm almost always very gentle with him (I have given him a few smacks, only on the shoulder or chest, and always following aggressive behaviour, but never near his face or ears.) but it's as if he's used to being smacked around the face. I'm trying to rule out either infection or bad handling, and not sure how to do each one. I don't want to get the vet out and completely dope him up to find theres nothing wrong, so if anybody has any suggestions, it'd be great. I've also already spoken to the others carers, and both have denied hitting or swatting him around the face.

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08-01-2008, 08:13 PM	#2
ridetolive Full Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Western New York Posts: 462	It sounds like something IN his ear, like an infection. If he gets panicky about it, and you've never had an issue with ear sensitivity before and no one is hitting him, it probably HURTS so he doesnt trust anyone to get a look at it. Might be worth a twitch and a vet visit!

08-01-2008, 08:14 PM	#3
ridetolive Full Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Western New York Posts: 462	Sorry, missed that you didnt want a vet. Id say get a helper, and a nose twitch (with someone who knows how to use it clearly) and get a look at it.

08-02-2008, 03:35 AM	#4
SalUnionJack Full Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Guernsey, Channel Islands, UK. Posts: 35 Images: 3	Thanks, I'll try him with a twitch. He should be receptive to it as he uses his muzzle alot for grooming