"Yawning"-what does it mean?

[christine9]

My little Limabean (18 weeks) has been acting strange. She has been stretching her neck out and opening her mouth really wide. It looks like she's yawning almost. Then she shakes her head a little. She did it before when younger, but it just seems so strange now to see it again. Searching here links the "yawning" to gape worms. What/how do you worm for something like this? She's otherwise normal. No mucus. Eating and drinking normally. Same growth rate as everyone else. Should I be treating for gape worm, or am I overreacting?

 

[dawg53]

My little Limabean (18 weeks) has been acting strange. She has been stretching her neck out and opening her mouth really wide. It looks like she's yawning almost. Then she shakes her head a little. She did it before when younger, but it just seems so strange now to see it again. Searching here links the "yawning" to gape worms. What/how do you worm for something like this? She's otherwise normal. No mucus. Eating and drinking normally. Same growth rate as everyone else. Should I be treating for gape worm, or am I overreacting?

It's not gapeworm if she is eating and drinking. Since there arnt any respiratory disease symptoms...she is simply adjusting her crop, this is normal.

 

[casportpony]

How often is she yawning? If she were mine I would get a baseline weight on her. At 18 weeks should should still be growing, so weigh her and watch for weight loss or lack of gain, either would be a sign of illness.

-Kathy

 

[christine9]

She does this for little spurts, every so often. I Guess maybe once every few weeks. I have never seen anyone else do it. Thank you both. I feel pretty relieved, but will get a weight on her. Thanks!