A very hard decision ahead

My mare is like this when she's in pain and I've come close more than once to calling it a day, much to the raised eyebrows of those who don't handle her at all, nevermind on a daily basis. Her issues are gut related and so hard to monitor. I only know I'm doing a good job by her behaviour. I for one wouldn't judge you for pts at this stage. Sometimes I consider putting her to sleep at the same time as my older pony, who is 26 (she's 17 and has struggled most of her life on and off with her guts and skin).
 
Fransurrey, I guess its easier when you can tell so much by their behaviour. My mare is usually some a calm and placid girl. We had 5 years of being a total angel and gradually that dissapeared and I ended up with a Horse that was dangerous to ride and a danger to those around her (reared in hand, ran backwards into ditches, taking off) so this was so unlike her I just knew something was wrong. I incorrectly went down the physio. saddle and teeth. I wish I had just got the vet sooner and x rays showed bad arthritis. I remember lunging her for the vet and my mare did nothing but motor around bronking and galloping so fast we had to stop. She had the nerve blocks straight to hocks and we popped her on the lunge again and in the space of 10 minutes we had an angelic Horse who only wanted to please and lunged sweetly. We tried 4 different things and each time I had a lovely sweet and placid girl, I only knew the effects had worn off as the bad behaviour creeped back in and then the vet would come and confirm my suspicions. Due to her unpredictable behaviour I had to retire her. She has been so laid back and chilled up until about 2 weeks ago. Now she looks like a nervous wreck again.

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The only thing that is harder is leaving it too late. I had my elderly lab PTS yesterday, he was booked in on Friday but when I got in yesterday afternoon it was an emergency - I will never forgive myself for going against the advice I always give - it was much much worse 6 hours too late.

Even taking your own advice is really hard when your personally so close
 
I am going through the same thing at the moment. Have had my mare for 7 years, she is 13 now and was diagnosed with navicular and tendon tears three years ago. We have been able to manage the last two years, tried medical treatment, shoes, no shoes, special shoes, stabled, not stabled, but now she seems to have taken a toll for the worst. She still appears happy in the field (retired), but then she just goes on and does not show pain easily, which is making the decision really hard. Feeling for you!
 
LaurenBay said:
Thanks all, she looks to the eye to be moving a bit better. Her erratic behaviour is getting worse though. She is very spooky and was rearing yesterday, she only started rearing at the beginning of all of this, that's how I knew something was wrong. She hasn't reared in about a year and half. It seems its her go to move when shes hurting. I thought she was going to flip over yesterday she went up so high.

She has been in the same field now for over a year with the same companion, he is pretty chilled and quiet and she does nothing but gallop around now and wind him up.
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It sounds as if you are coming to a decision. I'm sure every-one on here will support you in that decision.
 
You've got to do what is right for you both and weigh up her quality of life.

Re long term bute though, when Mist was 21 she was getting stiff so started off with bute every other day in winter, increased it as she needed it over the years, i.e. one a day n winter, and every other day in summer, then went up tone a day all year etc.

I lost her at 32 - and it wasn't to liver damage! as long as she was happy and had quality of life I was happy to keep her going, when she started to loose that (other issues) I quickly made the decision.
 
Oh Lauren, I am sorry. As you know, Mac is being put to sleep next Friday, and although it is really hurting me, I know it is right for him. You will feel the same with Ruby, but she like Mac will know no different.

Just one thing to consider, which I’m sure you probably have. You mention she’s been like it for the last 2 weeks. Is there smallest chance it could be related to fireworks? They’ve been horrendous around here, and although the horses and Luna aren’t bothered at all, Aled has been really distressed, so much so that he’s had a couple of accidents in the house, something he’s never done before.

Whatever you decide, I am 100% it will be the right decision for you both. Xx
 
Cortez said:
My reasoning is, let them go when they are feeling good, not when they are miserable and frightened, unable to get up or move .
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This, spoil her rotten for a few days and then you can say good bye knowing what a wonderful life she’s had with you, better a day to soon than a day to late x
 
Hi all, so shes had over a week on 2 bute a day, no change to her behaviour and she actually bit my cousin (who shares for me once a week) VERY unlike Ruby to bite. She used to bite a lot when I first got her. But hasn't bitten in about 4 years!.

She had 2 days where she looked to be doing better, this seemed to be short lived and she is now back to being stiff. She is supposed to be going down to one bute a day for a week. But at the moment she is not comfortable on 2 so I don't want to half her dose. I am calling my vet today and sending her some videos that I have taken (got someone to film me trotting up) But I think I have come to the decision that I am going to PTS. If she is struggling still on 2 bute a day when the weather is like this then I do not think she will cope at all during winter. I got her out yesterday so I could groom her in the sun, my cousin was with me and took some nice photos and spoilt her with a few treats.
 
LaurenBay said:
Hi all, so shes had over a week on 2 bute a day, no change to her behaviour and she actually bit my cousin (who shares for me once a week) VERY unlike Ruby to bite. She used to bite a lot when I first got her. But hasn't bitten in about 4 years!.

She had 2 days where she looked to be doing better, this seemed to be short lived and she is now back to being stiff. She is supposed to be going down to one bute a day for a week. But at the moment she is not comfortable on 2 so I don't want to half her dose. I am calling my vet today and sending her some videos that I have taken (got someone to film me trotting up) But I think I have come to the decision that I am going to PTS. If she is struggling still on 2 bute a day when the weather is like this then I do not think she will cope at all during winter. I got her out yesterday so I could groom her in the sun, my cousin was with me and took some nice photos and spoilt her with a few treats.
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Oh LB I am sorry, but I do think you're right. We're due a lovely warm week of weather so letting her go before it gets miserable does seem like the best thing to do. Hugs xx
 
LB have read all of this thread and really feel for you, if she is not happy on 2 bute a day then i think you are doing the right thing to PTS before the winter really starts.....just spoil her for the time you have left and remember that you are doing this for her quality of life and not for your benefit so dont feel guilty....HUGS!!!!!!!
 
Just read through this full post and it's absolutely heart breaking reading @LaurenBay's story and everyone elses. I'm dreading having to go through this with my two, but I know the day will eventually come. OP - I think, from reading above that you are absolutely right to make the decision you have - sending big hugs. Look after yourself x
 
You know your own horse better than any of us .
If you think this fretful behaviour is because discomfort then you really have your answer.
You might try a stronger type of pain relief it might give you a definitive answer of course if it does not rule out pain as some pain does not respond to pain relief .
You might Try a few days of finadyne or a high dose of Danilon or Bute if she is more settled you Know where you stand .
 
Goldenstar said:
You know your own horse better than any of us .
If you think this fretful behaviour is because discomfort then you really have your answer.
You might try a stronger type of pain relief it might give you a definitive answer of course if it does not rule out pain as some pain does not respond to pain relief .
You might Try a few days of finadyne or a high dose of Danilon or Bute if she is more settled you Know where you stand .
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At the moment she is on 2 Danildon a day. One in morning and one in evening. She won't eat bute but will happily eat the Danilon.
 
I think Finadyne is a more powerful pain reliever than Danilon it might help you to be clear in your mind that the behaviour you see is pain related, of course it won’t help you rule it out as some pain does not respond to pain relief .
It’s not an easy place to be of course I have one whosemajor career ending injury does not respond to pain relief after numerous steroid jabs it was time to stop doing that the difference he’s very bright happy and cheeky and enjoying hanging out with his mates .when the weathers bad I give him Danilon it does not help the stifle but he’s got lots of other wear and tear and it helps that .
The moment his character changes he will be gone .
 
For what it's worth I think you are doing the right thing. Sending massive hugs! You've had so much to deal with over the last few weeks. Please be kind to yourself xxx
 
I think your doing the right thing with PTS, I lost my mare last week ( Id had her 20 years, but her sight was going) I gave her 2-3 weeks on bute and various drops, but nothing changed, its a really hard decision to make, I kept just bursting into tears when I thought about it. But I really didn't want to see or find her stuck in the fencing.

Once its done you do feel relived, its hard not to feel guilty, but you have to tell yourself your doing the right thing. ((((HUGS))))
 
I am so sorry Freckles, it must have been heartbreaking :(

I am waiting for the vet to call, we spoke yesterday and we have agreed to keep Ruby on 2 bute for now if I think she is not comfy. I have taken a few vidoes of Ruby walking and trotting up and a general one of Ruby in the field. She is calling me today.

I am just very stressed with it all, she is only with 1 other Horse so I have obviously told the owner there is a good chance Ruby will be PTS so perhaps start looking for somewhere else (she doesn't want to stay at field without me) I didn't want to just out of the blue have Ruby PTS and leave the other Horse on his own. The other lady has said she doesn't want her Horse on the field when it happens so is going to take him before. Which will leave a very distressed and fearful Ruby. I didn't want her last moments to be like that.
 
LaurenBay said:
I am so sorry Freckles, it must have been heartbreaking :(

I am waiting for the vet to call, we spoke yesterday and we have agreed to keep Ruby on 2 bute for now if I think she is not comfy. I have taken a few vidoes of Ruby walking and trotting up and a general one of Ruby in the field. She is calling me today.

I am just very stressed with it all, she is only with 1 other Horse so I have obviously told the owner there is a good chance Ruby will be PTS so perhaps start looking for somewhere else (she doesn't want to stay at field without me) I didn't want to just out of the blue have Ruby PTS and leave the other Horse on his own. The other lady has said she doesn't want her Horse on the field when it happens so is going to take him before. Which will leave a very distressed and fearful Ruby. I didn't want her last moments to be like that.
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Oh, LB, that is very sad and not very thoughtful of the other owner. I'm afraid if Ruby were my horse I would probably not tell the other owner the exact date/time of the pts and get it done whilst the other horse is still there. IME they are better knowing what has happened to their companions anyway.
 
Chin up lass it’s a horrible time .
Get some domocedan if the other owner insists on removing her horse before give it her an hour before just give a whole tube .
I think the other owner is being very silly done sensibly there’s no need for that .
Perhaps you could take your horse out of the field when the time comes talk to your vet about the problems perhaps transporting her to the surgery if it’s not to far might be worth considering .
This would upset me a great deal I have a whole ritual I go through when it time for one of mine I would floored if I could do it as I like .
Does she stable happily ?
 
I have begged the other lady to wait and I will get Ruby heavily sedated and then she can go and then the deed will be done when the other Horse is loaded. Ruby will be out of it at that time and the other Horse hasn't got to see. I've held 2 other Horses (not belonging to me) and the other Horses did not seem upset or bothered in the slightest. I have told the other lady this and she said she just thinks her Horse will play up (I don't think he will as he is super laid back) I don't have trasnport but could take her somewhere, its not my preferred option though :( she will stable but will need settling in time and by then she will be in a big discomfort due to the arthritis, the last few times she was stabled she walked out with a peg leg as couldn't bend the joint at all.
 
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