# Any veterinarians here? Need answer fast **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 16, 2015, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-veterinarians-here-need-answer-fast/715113 "2015-03-16T14:54:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-veterinarians-here-need-answer-fast/715113/1 "2015-03-16T14:54:11Z")
Hello Everyone, I’m not asking for specific medical advice, just a ballpark guess. We have a couple of mini donkeys and our littlest one had had something bad happen to it. Last night he was just fine, but this morning we found him in the pasture walking in a tight circle over and over. It almost seems as if his left side is paralyzed. I’m not sure what to make of it. I know he’s in trouble and we have a call into our vet, but he can make it out here for a couple of hours. I’m thinking either he had a stroke or possibly got bit by a venomous snake. Any one know the symptoms of either in a donkey? Right now or hearts are broken and I don’t want little Snowden suffering. Any thoughts would be appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-veterinarians-here-need-answer-fast/715113/2 "2015-03-16T16:11:46Z")
You might ask a mod to change the thread title to say ‘veterinarians’ so as not to turn away people who may be able to help, but who may think this is another military thread. ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-veterinarians-here-need-answer-fast/715113/3 "2015-03-16T16:24:01Z")
Great idea. Mods could you change title from vet to veterinarian? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-veterinarians-here-need-answer-fast/715113/4 "2015-03-16T16:35:40Z")
Maybe change ‘fat’ to ‘fast’ as well. obbn, I hope Snowden will be better soon. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-veterinarians-here-need-answer-fast/715113/5 "2015-03-16T16:37:50Z")
Reported so mods will see the requested changes sooner. Good luck **obbn**. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-veterinarians-here-need-answer-fast/715113/6 "2015-03-16T16:40:52Z")
**Moderator Action** Thread title changed: vet -\> veterinarian, fat -\> fast Good luck **obbn**. ETA: I’m also going to move this to IMHO (from GQ) so folks can give advice as well as answer the factual aspects of the OP. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-veterinarians-here-need-answer-fast/715113/7 "2015-03-16T16:41:08Z")
Oh, man. Is he limping? Responsive to his name? Can the vet (or vet’s office) give any first-aid or triage advice over the phone? ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-veterinarians-here-need-answer-fast/715113/8 "2015-03-16T19:12:13Z")
Does he look bloated? Does he seem to be hot or feverish? I am not a “horse person,” but once took care of a pony who foundered when she got into the grain supplies. It could be founder: [http://www.keithseeley.com/category/founder/what-is-founder/](http://www.keithseeley.com/category/founder/what-is-founder/) [http://www.animedvets.co.uk/laminitis.htm](http://www.animedvets.co.uk/laminitis.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Lorene89095](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@Lorene89095](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorene89095)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-veterinarians-here-need-answer-fast/715113/9 "2015-03-16T19:18:17Z")
Could it be sleeping sickness? Got kicked in the head? Have you called the Vet(horse Dr)?? Where are you located? That could give people an idea of what is happening where ---
**Author:** ![JcWoman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jcwoman/32/2889_2.png) [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-veterinarians-here-need-answer-fast/715113/10 "2015-03-16T19:41:08Z")
Walking in circles is indicative of neurological problems. Especially if he’s also holding his head at a tilt. Hopefully you’ve called the vet by now because little Snowden needs professional help. Our kitty did that last year. She was about 18 and had been having gradual kidney failure and thyroid problems so we weren’t entirely surprised. But when we woke up one morning and she was walking in circles, eyes dilated, holding her head askew and staying close to the walls like a rat, I knew she’d had a stroke and her time had come. It still makes me sad, but she had a good, long life. ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-veterinarians-here-need-answer-fast/715113/11 "2015-03-16T20:11:53Z")
The vet is on his way, wish he’d hurry up. Snowden is laying on his side, breathing very rapidly. He’s only three, way too young for this. I feel so bad for the little guy. His best friend, Frosty, another mini donkey is in near hysterics. Turning out to be a bad day. I’ll update when I know more. Thanks for the well wishes ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-veterinarians-here-need-answer-fast/715113/12 "2015-03-16T22:00:17Z")
Well, the vet just left and the news isn’t good. He diagnosed encephalitis. Without a test he can’t say which strain, but if it’s West Nile there is zero chance of survival. The other two types have a 10% and 30% chance of recovery. So I guess now we have to sit and wait. Hopefully little Snowden will pull through. Please keep him in your prayers tonight. Thanks. I’ll update in the morning. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-veterinarians-here-need-answer-fast/715113/13 "2015-03-16T22:03:35Z")
Oh, no. Loving thoughts to little Snowden. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveroptic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiveroptic/32/8257_2.png) [@Fiveroptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveroptic)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-veterinarians-here-need-answer-fast/715113/14 "2015-03-16T22:19:13Z")
Keeping you, your family, Snowden and Frosty in my thoughts tonight, **obbn**. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-veterinarians-here-need-answer-fast/715113/15 "2015-03-17T00:09:33Z")
Poor little guy. Sending healing energy his direction. ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-veterinarians-here-need-answer-fast/715113/16 "2015-03-17T00:26:07Z")
> [@obbn](#): > > Well, the vet just left and the news isn’t good. He diagnosed encephalitis. Without a test he can’t say which strain, but if it’s West Nile there is zero chance of survival. The other two types have a 10% and 30% chance of recovery. So I guess now we have to sit and wait. Hopefully little Snowden will pull through. Please keep him in your prayers tonight. Thanks. I’ll update in the morning. Oh wow. Will be pushing good thoughts towards Snowden. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-veterinarians-here-need-answer-fast/715113/17 "2015-03-17T01:12:58Z")
How sad ☹ Best of luck to Snowden. ---
**Author:** ![FrillyNettles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7ea924/32.png) [@FrillyNettles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrillyNettles)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-veterinarians-here-need-answer-fast/715113/18 "2015-03-17T01:32:42Z")
Veterinarian, here. I am sorry to hear about your poor Snowden. Not to add insult to injury, but ANY neurologic patient must be regarded as a Rabies suspect. So if Snowden doesn’t pull through, I urge you to have him tested for the sake of his pasture mate. I hope he is able to make a full recovery from whatever is plaguing him. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Lorene89095](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@Lorene89095](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorene89095)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-veterinarians-here-need-answer-fast/715113/19 "2015-03-17T06:30:05Z")
One of my teachers said “Even if you can see the arrow sticking out of the animal,think Could this be Rabies?” ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-veterinarians-here-need-answer-fast/715113/20 "2015-03-17T10:06:10Z")
For the sake of the other pasturemate, if it is not vaccinated, vaccinate it! If it is WNV or any of the other four major viral equine encephalitides, there are vaccines available. For the very least get the rabies vaccine and the vaccines against the mosquito-born diseases. You already know you have them in your area (poor Snowden!), don’t let them take your other precious! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-veterinarians-here-need-answer-fast/715113.md?page=2)