Not this time.
I think the pain is getting worse. Jackson spends most of his time laying down in the leaves.
He's easy to dose with the syringe full of applesauce and bute. He has always been easy to worm and he loved his ulcer medication. He swallows all of the applesauce bute mixture and then I give him a couple cookies. But it doesn't ease the pain.
I sat with him in the pasture yesterday and his breathing was shallow. I could feel suffering radiating from him. He is telling me that it is time.
I can't seem to wrap my brain around that fact. I did make an appointment with the vet for Friday but I keep hoping that he'll be running around doing rodeo bucks by then and I can cancel the appointment.
Jackson does get up at meal time and slowly, painfully, make his way to the hay feeder. Here's a link to the video if the embedded one doesn't work. His manure is normal. His ulcers don't seem to be back despite the high dosage of bute but I worry.
Come on, buddy. Pull through.
oh, i hate this part of any animal's life in our care...
ReplyDeleteTo me, this looks like a classic abscess. If so, giving him bute will actually make things worse. It does not help the pain, but it dose reduce the inflammation, whic is a bad thing in these cases as it prevents the abscess from building enough to actually rupture. Stop the bute, soak the foot in a solution of warm water, Epsom salt, a healthy dash of Murphy's oil soap (which softens the coronet) and just enough betadine to make it tea colored. Also, look for a product call Magic Cushion extreme made by absorbine. Pack the sole with that.
ReplyDeleteIf you stop bute, an abscess generally ruptures on its own in three to five days. He'll have almost complete relief when that happens. Do not let a vet or farrier cut a hole in his sole to drain the abscess. If they do that, it is almost garuantedd to reinfect.
Check his temperature daily to make sure the infection has not gone systemic. Otherwise, soaking and the sole pack are the best treatments. Abscesses are horribly painful, but heal quickly if treated this way.
Good luck.
I know that the symtoms sound like an abscess. In the past, I've soaked and packed and done the whole abscess treatment... for weeks and weeks and weeks. We did x-rays and found the rotation after "an abscess" never broke. So, while it is possible that it is one -- and I'd be thrilled to go outside and see Jackson instantly sound the way they are when it breaks-- I'm not optimistic. This is how he gets with a laminitis flare up.
ReplyDeleteOh Annette, this is a tough one. Not too many days ago he was out there acting like a 5 year old. Keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteOH Im so sorry annette :(
ReplyDeletesomething else that might be going on that isnt physically visible, to consider if you havent already -
http://newscenter.equinesite.com/equinehealth/174-equine-melanoma.html
It can be internal - #4 is what happened to little Sally - Dr. Randy thinks her age and the stress of the fire weakened her immune system and brought it to a head...IMO chronic laminitis can be another stressor to the immune system to this genetically linked disease http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080720150203.htm :(
I know you are a good horseman and will do the right thing when the time comes...and you will know in your heart when its time...
(((hugs)))
Does he have digital pulses?
ReplyDeleteHope the vet can give you some answers and a way to make him comfortable - my thoughts and prayers are with you both.
I know that you are tuned in to this horse and are also working with a vet, so I I am sure you will do the right thing when the time comes, whatever that may be. Jackson expects that of you. I, on the other hand would be an emotional wreck.
ReplyDeleteOh poor guy! I really hope he is better soon, he looks like a kind, sweet horse.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if my first comment went through. I know that you are tuned in to this horse and are working closely with a vet, so I am confident you will do the right thing for Jackson and he expects that of you. My heart goes out to all of you.
ReplyDelete:(
ReplyDeleteOh no... :(
ReplyDeleteI am keeping my fingers crossed for him to pull through again! You are in my thoughts.
Could you get him to stand in some ice water for any length of time?
ReplyDeleteThinking of you...
We went through this with a mini mare about five years ago... it was agonizing for the mare and for us. Kris's advice sounds so sound (Dancing Donkey). My heart goes out to you and Jackson.
ReplyDeleteWe went through this with a mini mare about five years ago... it was agonizing for the mare and for us. Kris's advice sounds so sound (Dancing Donkey). My heart goes out to you and Jackson.
ReplyDeleteIt would be easier to grasp if the weather were normal for the season. The sunshine is too damn cheerful.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am so, so sorry to hear and see that he's doing so poorly. I know you are having an impossible time too. Hugs, and whatever the outcome, you know you have done the best you can for him.
ReplyDeleteI had great luck with these shoes on my old foundered horse.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.plastichorseshoes.com/
I'm so sorry to hear this. I have been down this road with a horse that suffered from laminitis and rotated coffin bone. Have you ever tried Soft-Ride boots? They might give him some relief. I'm sure you will do what is best for Jackson.
ReplyDeleteOh, how I hate to see an animal suffer with pain! Just heartbreaking!! They just internalize and never complain like us people tend to do...Annette, I'm sure that between you and your vet, you'll figure out the best course of action for your beautiful boy. Let's just hope that it's an abscess and not something more serious. I've had to deal with chronic laminitis and it's a bitch. My prayers are with you and sweet Jackson.
ReplyDeleteSending Jackson lots and lots of good thoughts and love...c'mon buddy...we are all cheering you on!
ReplyDelete