Under the Weather

 The past week, baby Pyro has been sick. 

Sad boi is sad

The first sign that something was up was that he was quiet... too quiet. My normal Prince of Mischief was walking out flat footed after the rest of the herd, even as they galloped into the frosty pasture. 

Typically he's a horse that takes "every interaction is a training opportunity" to the max, and no opportunity for play is passed up. 

Saturday he started not finishing his grain meals, although he heartily tucked into his hay. Sunday was more of the same, but Monday he was dull and lethargic. His temperature was a toasty 103.1 F, so he got his first dose of Banamine. Tuesday morning, his temp was even higher (104.0 F) … time to call the vet. Thankfully, our wonderful (and very patient) vet was able to get to us quickly. It turns out despite not having a cough or snotty nose, he has a respiratory infection. He had congestion in his right lung, but no other signs besides the fever, going off his grain, and lacking his usual mischief. 

Not even a half-hearted attempt to dick with me or the wheelbarrow while I mucked 

From what our vet said, this has been common lately. We presume that the sudden shift in weather from 60's and sunny to dead of winter played a part since Pyro hasn't been off property lately, and 3 weeks had passed since Disco joined the barn (not that they're ever nose to nose).

Coaxed to eat his grain as soup

 Poor kid got some medicine to make him feel better in the short term, antibiotics, and directions to receive probiotics. His fever has been up and down since then, so he gets Banamine as needed, and I get the fun task of giving him two more shots of thick antibiotics later. 

Good soup

Missy (who shows no signs of illness) has been a diligent mother, keeping Pyro company while he's stalled. Bless her for not going stir crazy. I got to pony Pyro off her to stretch their legs, but I've also been dual wielding pintos during hand walking sessions. Missy seems to find this sufficient and is only a little annoyed Pyro won't walk faster. 

The most efficient way to exercise three spotty critters at once

I'm not used to having to worry about Pyro's health like this. Missy is the old gal! Pyro's biggest health concerns are growing pains, scrapes from being an idiot in the pasture, and the occasional bout of thumps when he gets dehydrated. It's hard to see him clearly feeling so puny. 

A subdued Pinto Party

He has the occasional coughing fit now (to be expected as he clears out that lung), but I think he's on the right path. This morning, he didn't finish his breakfast right away, and he was pretty sluggish on our walk, but his fever has broken for now.

They might be related...

While I spend far too much of my time shoving a thermometer where the sun don't shine, remember to hug your ponies and watch them like a hawk!