I have a castrated shetland boy of 4 years.
On Friday of last week (had to be the first time I was going away with husband for years - of course) on checking in the morning, I found him almost contracting (best description I can offer) every few minutes. Rang vet and advised metacam and buscopan - duly administered. He was not really much easier by late afternoon so called vet out. No temperature/heart rate normal/no adverse other noises from within. Only explanation seemed to be bunged up so to let drugs take effect.
Our neighbour checked them last thing and he was still at it so she called on duty vet who said couldn't give anything else on top of what he'd had. As he didn't look distressed, leave until the morning and re-check.
Next morning, still at it so next vet out. Ruled out stones and waterwork problems so suggested epsom salt drench and ?lube to flush him through. After 2nd drench he did start to scour a bit and the 'contractions' seemed to ease while he was at rest. He started nibbling grass and drinking.
On checking him this morning, although no where as bad as originally, he seems to still be contracting, again, not as badly, when he moves.
He doesn't seem particularly distressed although not mixing with the girls either.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Could it be tapeworm although surely there would have been evidence of that.
They were last treated with Oramec which doesn't appear to cover that. They are not overgrazed and he's not been 'off colour' before.
I'm waiting for next call from the vet, but thought I'd see if anyone on here had any bright ideas!
Thank you in advance
p.s. just spoken to original vet and she is putting out another dose of metacam and worming injection. She didn't think it was tapeworm but worming would do no harm.