Pain in horses

RE: Pain in horses

Clare Tapsfield-Wright — Sat, 07 May 2016 17:45:50 GMT

It did go well thanks Claire , she went to sleep with her head in a bucket of food and she did love her feed. I'm sad but sad for my loss , I know it was the right thing to do for her. Thanks again , I know this forum is not Facebook but it did help me to make the decision. Difficult to decide when you're too close.

RE: Pain in horses

Claire Godfrey — Sat, 07 May 2016 14:02:45 GMT

Best wishes Clare. Hope all went well.

claire

RE: Pain in horses

Hannah Wynne Richards — Fri, 06 May 2016 08:26:07 GMT

The same from me. It's the hardest decision of all for a loving owner to have to make, but you've done the right and brave thing.

Wynne

RE: Pain in horses

Joyce Whitehead — Thu, 05 May 2016 22:04:35 GMT

So sorry Clare, never easy with our own animals but hopefully you can remember the good times, and know you did the right thing. A comforting hug if you will accept it.

RE: Pain in horses

Iain Richards — Thu, 05 May 2016 21:23:26 GMT

Ah. Sad times Clare. Best Wishes

Iain

RE: Pain in horses

Clare Tapsfield-Wright — Thu, 05 May 2016 19:53:18 GMT

Just to say I had Blossom put to sleep today as the second opinion agreed that reducing quality of life was inevitable . Thank you to all colleagues who helped me over this sad but right decision.

RE: Pain in horses

Clare Tapsfield-Wright — Tue, 03 May 2016 20:23:26 GMT

Oh thanks Ian , that's really kind of you . Peter Schofield is seeing her on Thursday for me. I'm too close to it , need a vet who will tell me straight. I've got the practicalities sorted out re disposal thanks and agree , better for her to go peacefully before we reach a crisis.

RE: Pain in horses

Iain Richards — Tue, 03 May 2016 20:16:04 GMT

Bad luck Clare, a tough one. I too would be heading to euthanasia, doing it in a nice calm planned way rather than if she goes down and can't rise. While alternative pain meds migh help, all they are doing is delaying. I'd offer to come, but it's a little impractical at present.

In my talk on euthanasia at Lancaster, I mention this aspect, knowing that the end is approaching and planning for a good death to follow the good life. Have you considered disposal - it's quite and undertaking for a horse and again needs planning.

Best Wishes,

Iain

RE: Pain in horses

Clare Tapsfield-Wright — Tue, 03 May 2016 19:06:51 GMT

Thank youClaire , not rambling at all and very helpful, and thanks Hannah and all for your understanding. I'm being such a wuss but it has helped me a great deal .

RE: Pain in horses

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 03 May 2016 18:58:02 GMT

The time comes when it's the last favour you can do for a very beloved old friend - but it's still agonisingly hard to do.

Wynne

RE: Pain in horses

Claire Godfrey — Tue, 03 May 2016 16:15:49 GMT

Clare,

I had a similar decision to make about 18 months ago, Jake was 24 years old and 17.2hh. I had been thinking about it for a while as I didn't think he was 100% happy. In the end a friend made the comment that he just seemed sad in the last month and that was enough to make me decide.

I think the worst part is almost making the decision, every day I watched him like a hawk trying to do the right thing. Once decision was made I spoilt him rotten the last week. In fact the night before I kept getting texts from everyone at the stables saying they had given him an extra carrot/ treat/ handful of hay! So on the day I took him for some grass, couldn't hold him, he took off tearing around, obviously lame but having the time of his life, came to a stop, vet injected him and it was all over. It was the best send off he could have had, he would not have been able to walk out of the stable the next morning if I had left him.

I wish you all the best in the decision making, sorry if this has become rambling, I know others might have held off for a while but I didn't ever want the situation where he was down and couldn't get up. I have no regrets.

RE: Pain in horses

Clare Tapsfield-Wright — Tue, 03 May 2016 13:05:00 GMT

Thanks Wren , I am pretty sure that I am going to have to make that decision and agree , I would rather she went before she suffers than prolong it for her . I have great confidence in the vet I'm booked in to see on Thursday , I'm just find it very difficult to make the decision on my own despite being a vet and to determine whether a horse very lame at the trot is also in pain when walking.

RE: Pain in horses

Wren — Tue, 03 May 2016 11:17:59 GMT

To be honest, from your description, I'd be quietly encouraging you towards euthanasia. You're right about the stoicism - as a prey species if you look like the weakest in the herd you will be first on the list for the predators to pick off. I think these animals are often in a lot more pain than we can guess at. I have a collection of owners with very arthritic horses - some of whom have to be physically winched to their feet every so often - and it really doesn't sit well with me. Does she lie down/get up easily? Many of them stop lying down at all, which I think only adds to the problem. I'm very much of the "better a week too soon than a day too late" school I think, having dealt with several horses who are down and just can't get up again, which is horribly distressing for all concerned, not least the horse. I have vowed never to let a horse of mine get to that point.

With regards to Metacam - by all means give it a go. It provides reasonable pain relief for some, but I haven't had any horses on it long term due to the cost. I tend to use it as a 5 or 7 day course.

I often give steroids and NSAIDs together, but often in trauma cases eg. acute tendinitis/desmitis on the racetrack or at an event. I haven't used them together on an ongoing oral basis.

RE: Pain in horses

Hannah Wynne Richards — Mon, 02 May 2016 15:24:54 GMT

I once went to some equine CPD where the lecturer advocated combining NSAIDs and steroids - but I'd be reluctant to give steroids to a Shire cross, given their tendency to develop laminitis - and even more reluctant if she was 18, so might be verging on Cushings.

Clare, my sympathies as well, it's horrible deciding on the right time.

Wynne

RE: Pain in horses

Michael Woodhouse — Mon, 02 May 2016 14:07:43 GMT

Clare - 2 things to consider before PTS - meloxicam OR steroids. I've had horses lame on bute do well on oral meloxicam. I also had an old horse that we were on the cusp of putting to sleep when we said we'd give some steroids and see - it changed overnight.

(I've never used NSAIDs and steroids together in a horse and given their propensity for ulcers I wouldn't unless a horse vet comes along and tells you its OK).

(I also wonder if some ketamine as a one off to reduce wind up may help - never tried it for this reason so don't trust me on this)

RE: Pain in horses

Laura Kidd — Mon, 02 May 2016 11:21:06 GMT

Poor you- it is hideous being a vet owner sometimes. The question my first boss got me to ask owners in this situation...is she still enjoying her life? Really hard to answer as obviously changes but you know her more than anyone. If largely no- euthanasia is hard for you but right for her; if yes- is there anything else that can be done now to make her more comfortable?

Good luck!