kidney or back?

Open_the_Gait · 11-13-2003, 03:41 PM

we have this horse that had a back problem a while ago, then it was better (so we thought). well the farrier came out and when she went to trim the back feet the horse kicked out. at first we guessed it was cuz she is a horse that has hardly enough training on her. so the farrier worked her way back along the horses body slowly, petting it so it would know we arent gonna hurt her. it took forever and she wasnt getting any better about it. then we realized it wasnt actually her foot she was worried about, but her back. the farrier thought maybe it was a kidney infection, but i told her about how her back was bad and she thought maybe it could be that. the vet was out but all he did was sedate her so the farrier could do her feet. i think he thought it was her back but he didnt say. so, what do you think? how will a horse react when they have kidney trouble?

Blistering Winds · 11-13-2003, 03:54 PM

What color is the Urine?

Horses RARELY ever have actual kidney infections unless they got into some SERIOUS poisons or they are seriously old or they have been diagnosed or have equine infectious anemia.

In my books, the only way to check kidney failure or disease is Vet Check.

Just off of what you said, I would chalk it up to either a muscle or spine injury.

Most kidney infections or issues are rarely ever "shown" in a horse. You'll see Dark urine, or severe weight loss. Extreme thirst, depression, refulsal to eat, anemia, ammonia-like odor to the breath, mouth ulcerations,.

If that vet just "sedated" for the farrier, did you ask him to check your horse? Or just get her through the farrier? I would seriously recommend a vet check.

Since you already know of a back issue, it probably is related to it, also lack of training can cause a horse to refuse to stretch their leg for a farrier. Many farriers out there "THINK" they know that it isn't them. It's something WRONG with your horse. Had a few of them myself. If you get one of them, CHANGE FARRIERS. If they can't admit to their own lack of patience or inability, then they need to find a new profession. INCLUDING VETS!! My vet has no issue with admitting he doesn't know. Same with my farrier. He helps me with my horses not hinders them.

Dawn · 11-13-2003, 05:28 PM

What tests were performed to decide that there was a back problem? Depending on the tests, it could have been pain from a kidney problem, which would then superficially show as a back pain.

PawNHoofPrints · 11-19-2003, 03:59 PM

Have you vet run blood on her and see what her kidney function values are.

You may also try muscle relaxers in case it is muscle soreness rather than bone/joint problems in her back.

Is she still sound?

Did your vet exam her at all or did he strictly sedate only for the farrier?

Artie · 01-02-2004, 11:51 AM

Have you had her back checked out by a chiropractor? I know I'm probably considered a "her back is out" maniac in my area but I've seen SO many horse problems sorted by a GOOD chiropractor. I know I wouldn't be riding my horse now if he hadn't been adjusted. A friend of mine bought a horse who had the reputation of being the ***** from **** and she had been sold because they couldn't take her further in her training because she bucked when asked to canter on one lead (only one). She would not stand still and she went for the other horses tooth and hooves. One chiropractic treatment later and she is now a lovely sweet mare. However, not all chiropractors are wonderful. Apparently her previous owner had two different chiropractors as well as the vet tell her that there was nothing wrong with her back. But if your horse is touchy about having her back touched or being handled by someone she thinks might hurt her back, a rotated vertebrae or two could be the problem. I don't know how much chiropractors charge where you live but I know that they are a lot cheaper than vets in my area.

spyro1 · 01-02-2004, 02:32 PM

Are you sure that it was her back and not her hock/stifle? If you run your hand down her back, using two fingers, gently press along either side of her spine, if she is sore, she will let you know.

CANDYGIRL · 01-02-2004, 02:45 PM

I was thinking that Spyro cute_kis Bit like a mini flexation test, when the farrier comes. Also thought with Kidney problems, they have problems urinating, well that's been my experience.

Doc · 01-02-2004, 03:33 PM

Yeah, usually urinate in excess or have trouble going at all with most kidney infection/conditions. I don't know about the States but over here, kidney conditions, although not one of the most common illness', they do occur on a fairly regular basis.

Like everyone else has said really, be aware of other problems that may be causing discomfort in the hind legs/back. Shakers affects (more commonly) the hind legs. The horse tends to kick out but it depends on how long you've had trouble with picking up the horses hind legs.

Whatever it is, I hope you get it sorted soon.

CANDYGIRL · 01-03-2004, 04:34 AM

Doc,

A friend of mine, next field to Candy, had a lovley hunter type chestnut mare, no vices always A1 to shoe, she started acting up for the farrier, same farrier for years, was totally out of character for Kelsey. Jan called the vet, he did a flexation test on her(she wasn't showing any lameness before, not to the lay mans eye), and she was real lame. He x rayd and scanned her stifle, and she had a big problem. Months of box rest and leading out. Just shows, they tell us when something isn't right, in their own way. I would never dismiss out of character behaviour until checked by the vet

Doc · 01-03-2004, 04:44 AM

Exactly Candygirl! The only way they can communicate with us is to literally "show" us when something is not right... numerous tests for various different diseases, infections or conditions are the only way to find out what's wrong. Sometimes we are baffled by what's happening to a horse if we can't discover the cause but we do everything we can. Owners, Vets, Farriers, everyone is looking out for the welfare of Horses.

<small>[ January 03, 2004, 05:46 AM: Message edited by: Doc ]</small>

11-13-2003, 03:41 PM	#1
Open_the_Gait Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Way Up Nort' Posts: 404	kidney or back? we have this horse that had a back problem a while ago, then it was better (so we thought). well the farrier came out and when she went to trim the back feet the horse kicked out. at first we guessed it was cuz she is a horse that has hardly enough training on her. so the farrier worked her way back along the horses body slowly, petting it so it would know we arent gonna hurt her. it took forever and she wasnt getting any better about it. then we realized it wasnt actually her foot she was worried about, but her back. the farrier thought maybe it was a kidney infection, but i told her about how her back was bad and she thought maybe it could be that. the vet was out but all he did was sedate her so the farrier could do her feet. i think he thought it was her back but he didnt say. so, what do you think? how will a horse react when they have kidney trouble? __________________ As far as I can tell, there are only two breeds of horse in this world; one of them is the Rocky Mountain!

11-13-2003, 03:54 PM	#2
Blistering Winds Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Augusta, Kansas Posts: 31,727 Images: 814 Blog Entries: 16	What color is the Urine? Horses RARELY ever have actual kidney infections unless they got into some SERIOUS poisons or they are seriously old or they have been diagnosed or have equine infectious anemia. In my books, the only way to check kidney failure or disease is Vet Check. Just off of what you said, I would chalk it up to either a muscle or spine injury. Most kidney infections or issues are rarely ever "shown" in a horse. You'll see Dark urine, or severe weight loss. Extreme thirst, depression, refulsal to eat, anemia, ammonia-like odor to the breath, mouth ulcerations,. If that vet just "sedated" for the farrier, did you ask him to check your horse? Or just get her through the farrier? I would seriously recommend a vet check. Since you already know of a back issue, it probably is related to it, also lack of training can cause a horse to refuse to stretch their leg for a farrier. Many farriers out there "THINK" they know that it isn't them. It's something WRONG with your horse. Had a few of them myself. If you get one of them, CHANGE FARRIERS. If they can't admit to their own lack of patience or inability, then they need to find a new profession. INCLUDING VETS!! My vet has no issue with admitting he doesn't know. Same with my farrier. He helps me with my horses not hinders them. __________________ 20 lb club: New year Start: 175 Goal: 130 Current: 158 Total loss this year 17 lbs.

01-02-2004, 02:32 PM	#6
spyro1 Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Swamp..Home of The SEC Champs~Go Gators Posts: 6,881 Images: 62 Blog Entries: 21	Are you sure that it was her back and not her hock/stifle? If you run your hand down her back, using two fingers, gently press along either side of her spine, if she is sore, she will let you know. __________________ I used to have a handle on life, but it broke off. Do unto others......

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Major back problems...	Miz Khiz	Off Topic	5	05-19-2005 03:13 PM
Back from trail ride and camping w/pic	James Robert	Horse Chat	12	10-18-2004 07:44 AM
Building Back Muscles	Moostang	Horse Health	7	10-06-2004 03:47 PM
when to start riding.....	Abbie22057	Horse Training	30	02-06-2004 05:57 PM

11-13-2003, 05:28 PM	#3
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,652 Images: 1283	What tests were performed to decide that there was a back problem? Depending on the tests, it could have been pain from a kidney problem, which would then superficially show as a back pain.

11-19-2003, 03:59 PM	#4
PawNHoofPrints Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: USA Posts: 761	Have you vet run blood on her and see what her kidney function values are. You may also try muscle relaxers in case it is muscle soreness rather than bone/joint problems in her back. Is she still sound? Did your vet exam her at all or did he strictly sedate only for the farrier?

01-02-2004, 11:51 AM	#5
Artie Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 2	Have you had her back checked out by a chiropractor? I know I'm probably considered a "her back is out" maniac in my area but I've seen SO many horse problems sorted by a GOOD chiropractor. I know I wouldn't be riding my horse now if he hadn't been adjusted. A friend of mine bought a horse who had the reputation of being the *** from ** and she had been sold because they couldn't take her further in her training because she bucked when asked to canter on one lead (only one). She would not stand still and she went for the other horses tooth and hooves. One chiropractic treatment later and she is now a lovely sweet mare. However, not all chiropractors are wonderful. Apparently her previous owner had two different chiropractors as well as the vet tell her that there was nothing wrong with her back. But if your horse is touchy about having her back touched or being handled by someone she thinks might hurt her back, a rotated vertebrae or two could be the problem. I don't know how much chiropractors charge where you live but I know that they are a lot cheaper than vets in my area.

01-02-2004, 02:45 PM	#7
CANDYGIRL Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: England Posts: 2,754	I was thinking that Spyro cute_kis Bit like a mini flexation test, when the farrier comes. Also thought with Kidney problems, they have problems urinating, well that's been my experience.

01-02-2004, 03:33 PM	#8
Doc Full Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 79	Yeah, usually urinate in excess or have trouble going at all with most kidney infection/conditions. I don't know about the States but over here, kidney conditions, although not one of the most common illness', they do occur on a fairly regular basis. Like everyone else has said really, be aware of other problems that may be causing discomfort in the hind legs/back. Shakers affects (more commonly) the hind legs. The horse tends to kick out but it depends on how long you've had trouble with picking up the horses hind legs. Whatever it is, I hope you get it sorted soon.

01-03-2004, 04:34 AM	#9
CANDYGIRL Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: England Posts: 2,754	Doc, A friend of mine, next field to Candy, had a lovley hunter type chestnut mare, no vices always A1 to shoe, she started acting up for the farrier, same farrier for years, was totally out of character for Kelsey. Jan called the vet, he did a flexation test on her(she wasn't showing any lameness before, not to the lay mans eye), and she was real lame. He x rayd and scanned her stifle, and she had a big problem. Months of box rest and leading out. Just shows, they tell us when something isn't right, in their own way. I would never dismiss out of character behaviour until checked by the vet

01-03-2004, 04:44 AM	#10
Doc Full Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 79	Exactly Candygirl! The only way they can communicate with us is to literally "show" us when something is not right... numerous tests for various different diseases, infections or conditions are the only way to find out what's wrong. Sometimes we are baffled by what's happening to a horse if we can't discover the cause but we do everything we can. Owners, Vets, Farriers, everyone is looking out for the welfare of Horses. <small>[ January 03, 2004, 05:46 AM: Message edited by: Doc ]</small>