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Post by wdf on Oct 22, 2008 8:18:53 GMT -1
There's an elderly gelding (24yrs) where i am having alot of trouble at the moment & its quite upsetting to see him in such a bad way  A while ago he had a nail go through his hoof causing an abcess which was cleared up BUT THEN . . . . . his had another TWO break out on his heel, he became SO reluctant to walk on that foot (right hind) that his fetlock is now fused & his stretched the outer/front tendons & shrunk the inner/backs. IF you can get him to put his foot down AT ALL he will only put his toe on the floor for seconds and hop quickly back onto his other; all other times he just hops on 3 legs  Out of curiosity - What would YOU do if he were yours  |
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Post by southerner on Oct 22, 2008 8:27:18 GMT -1
get a phyio out to assess. I had a mare who was lame for a long time and had to have box rest and she refused to believe she could walk afterwards, it took a few physio sessions and plenty of massage and gentle walking over poles etc to convince her it was ok.
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Post by wdf on Oct 22, 2008 9:11:41 GMT -1
get a phyio out to assess Owner has had a physio & vet; both saying that he would be in tremendous pain and with his age & other problems (laminitic, asthmatic, cushings, underweight) it may be best for him to be PTS Owner will not even contemplate it and wants to continue with box rest & physio |
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Post by harleydales on Oct 22, 2008 9:28:31 GMT -1
I'm afraid I'm with the vet and physio - quality of life is paramount, and this poor guy doesn't sound like he has much of that. Plus with his other problems too. I can't abide seeing animals (or people) in pain, and if there is really no hope of mending him, then his owner really has to take a deep breath and be responsible for her horse. Very, very hard but we all have to do it, and we do it for the right reasons. I'm at the same stage with an old mare - it is the toughest thing to do but has to be done for her.
Sorry to be so harsh.
If she insists on box rest and physio, please make sure she has a large box of bute so that at least he will get some pain relief.
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Post by wdf on Oct 22, 2008 9:43:39 GMT -1
I'm afraid I'm with the vet and physio - quality of life is paramount, Sorry to be so harsh. If she insists on box rest and physio, please make sure she has a large box of bute so that at least he will get some pain relief. Im with you on this one; owner has become a friend over the last couple of years and even tho i don't agree with her i can see why she wants to keep trying. All i can do is suport her & be there when she needs me. YES he's buted up!!! |
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Post by zeldalithgow on Oct 22, 2008 10:16:48 GMT -1
Yep me too, it's the one thing that you can do for your animals- make sure they don't suffer
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Post by harleydales on Oct 22, 2008 10:24:13 GMT -1
I know vets sometimes don't know what is best, but I have to say that on that score I do tend to go with the vets advise - Jenny has been seen by the vet each year for the last 3 years, and up until this year he has always said no, carry on, she's not there yet, but this year as soon as he saw her he said he saw a big difference in her and that it was the right thing to do. An outside eye sees things that we don't notice when we are with our horses every day.
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Post by harveydales on Oct 23, 2008 5:16:27 GMT -1
It is very hard for your friend and I hope she will come to terms with the inevitable and do the right thing fo her pony. Lucky she has you for support.
It is true, when we are with our ponies every day we don't see deterioration the way an outsider will. I always ask my vet and friends I respect to tell me honestly how Winnie and Quest are looking in their view. So far they are doing well but I wouldn't let them suffer with no hope of improvement. I hope your friend will be guided by her vet and physio and do the kindest thing. It must be very hard for you watching..........
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Post by tinastephenson on Nov 4, 2008 20:48:02 GMT -1
Oh what a difficult situation.. Having just been through the nightmare with Curly, I have to agree with the vet. Somehow no matter how much you love them, you must love them enough to let them go when its their time. We are lucky we can do this last lovable act for our horses and pets, humans are not so lucky. Your friend is lucky to have you but hard as it is you have to say goodbye.....
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Post by SuzieP on Nov 6, 2008 16:57:46 GMT -1
What a brave post, Tina - and I couldn't agree more. Loving them enough to let them go is the hardest thing. I do hope your friend can make the right decision...
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Post by PonyGirl on Nov 6, 2008 17:25:00 GMT -1
I hope your friend can make the right decision.
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Post by wdf on Nov 7, 2008 9:51:00 GMT -1
Loving them enough to let them go is the hardest thing. I totally agree but sadly this ponies owner doesn't, so his alive and on box rest for the forseeable |
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Post by northmare on Nov 9, 2008 7:57:49 GMT -1
It would be so much kinder just to let him go peacefully. Humans seem to want to keep animals going for their benefit not the the animals.  |
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Post by nars on Nov 9, 2008 18:17:27 GMT -1
PTS is the kindest act under the circumstances. It doesn't sound like there is any other option.
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