Aaargh, think I might have to PTS my in-foal mare

I'll second lotagen if you can get hold of some in the UK.
Ive seen really good results in all stages of wound healing, from no healing to extensive proud flesh that wasn't responding to other dressings.

I do hope your mare shows some signs of improving, its a horrible decision to have to make.
kx
 
Circe said:
I'll second lotagen if you can get hold of some in the UK.
Ive seen really good results in all stages of wound healing, from no healing to extensive proud flesh that wasn't responding to other dressings.

I do hope your mare shows some signs of improving, its a horrible decision to have to make.
kx
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It seems to be available here - have just googled it. Certainly worth a try once I can get close enough to the wound to do it - but there's the rub I suppose - I can't tell her that I'm trying to help - she just thinks I'm trying to hurt her.
 
I might have lost track along this thread but have you spoken to Joanna Vardon of the National Foaling Bank?! She is lovely -but prepared to be barked at- she can come accross as a bit fierce!!

She has so many years of experiance in breeding i'd be tempted to give her a call for an opinion on the future of the foal and the practical effects on it! She'll have been through this a hundred times before!

I'd also say that if you're mare is fighting you, then she's fighting the problem too! That's a really good sign!
 
Trouble4125 said:
I might have lost track along this thread but have you spoken to Joanna Vardon of the National Foaling Bank?! She is lovely -but prepared to be barked at- she can come accross as a bit fierce!!

She has so many years of experiance in breeding i'd be tempted to give her a call for an opinion on the future of the foal and the practical effects on it! She'll have been through this a hundred times before!

I'd also say that if you're mare is fighting you, then she's fighting the problem too! That's a really good sign!
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Not yet but I will - mare defo fighting me. I was late up on Sunday (7am!) and boy did she let me (and the neighbours :eek:) know about it with some very persistent whinnying.
 
abina said:
if your mare is remaining positive then it might be worth a try, and I fully understand the PTS option. after all we must do what is best. I would check that everything is ok with the foal first, as if that is not developing as expected then you will only end up with more heartache (and bills) if the wound is smelling this would indicate that things are not 100%. Three weeks is not a long time and a thought might be 'maggot' therapy this worked fantastic on my own leg and I have used it on my mare who had a nasty cut caused by bolting into a metal road sign.

again feed would be a worth looking into - have a word with the feed help lines, and defo get in touch with Foaling bank they will be so helpful and have a wealth of knowledge.

whatever happens best of luck and fondest regards in this awful place. x
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I was thinking exactly the same about the 'maggot therapy' last night. OP I really feel for you, and I haven't even seen the pictures because work wont let me access photobucket, but give your mare a hug from us all. There are a lot of wise words and good ideas on here, I don't think you are at the end of the road yet :) good luck.
 
OP it also may be worth pming Henry Horn - as she had a horse with a bad injury on which she used Manuka Honey with great success.

I can't remember how sever the injury was though.

Another poster on here - some years back - also had a horse with more or less the same injury as your mare. Completely recovered.
 
amymay said:
OP it also may be worth pming Henry Horn - as she had a horse with a bad injury on which she used Manuka Honey with great success.

I can't remember how sever the injury was though.

Another poster on here - some years back - also had a horse with more or less the same injury as your mare. Completely recovered.
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Thanks Amymay - she has a lot on her side as she is young (8) and fit (or was so). Trouble is her body is making all the wrong choices and just building her foal. Nightmare. I do think the honey will work but its miles away from her letting me touch it - catch 22 again.
 
scarymare said:
Thanks Amymay - she has a lot on her side as she is young (8) and fit (or was so). Trouble is her body is making all the wrong choices and just building her foal. Nightmare. I do think the honey will work but its miles away from her letting me touch it - catch 22 again.
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Well we're all sending healing vibes, and hoping for absolutely the best outcome for you and her (((((((( )))))))
 
I'm really sorry for you all :( I second the cold/salt water hydrotherapy spas. I've used them with amazing success. A few links below (look at the pics) Just random ones from Google Images

http://www.panamasporthorses.co.uk/hydrotherapy/theraputic_use.htm

http://www.panamaspa.com/casestudies.htm

http://www.beaverhall.co.uk/testimonies.htm

There are rehab yards who take the horse on livery and treat them whilst they're there. Or you can just take them for a session and take them straight home again (saving livery costs). I know it wont be cheap, but maybe worth phoning around and getting prices? Maybe someone could use her as a case study to promote their spa and offer a discount?? Alternatively, are you near a beach??...

Good luck whatever you decide though. Take care . x
 
for applying the honey, maybe something on an extendable arm so you are a safe distance. I wouldnt be doing it in a stable but on a non concrete area outside, like on rubber mats so she doesnt slip. Its very easy to get cornered in a stable. Or i hate to say it, but some kind of hobble while you are seeing to the wound? you have to be cruel to be kind in some cases.
 
How long does the vet indicate the bandages are to be left on for? I'd go down the manuka honey route too and leave the wound uncovered. Covering is okay for a period of time but I've found that the sooner you can leave a wound uncovered, this is when the real healing starts to pick up quickly. PTS wouldn't be a consideration for me at this early stage. I would be looking closer into how to manage the wound differently and if you use manuka honey the financial outlay will be seriously reduced.
 
Spring Feather said:
How long does the vet indicate the bandages are to be left on for? I'd go down the manuka honey route too and leave the wound uncovered. Covering is okay for a period of time but I've found that the sooner you can leave a wound uncovered, this is when the real healing starts to pick up quickly. PTS wouldn't be a consideration for me at this early stage. I would be looking closer into how to manage the wound differently and if you use manuka honey the financial outlay will be seriously reduced.
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I totally agree but have already changed vets so its really difficult. I think he wants the bandages on for months. I really really wish i was back in Windsor and Simon Knapp was my vet because then at least I'd know that the treatment was correct. My current vet is undoubtedly the best horse vet in Aberdeenshire but.......
 
poor you it's an awful situation to be in, there is lots of good advice here read it and try to take some time time to find a away ahead, thinking of you what ever you decide, the thing I would add I have had a bone graft and a skin graft is more painful don't think I would put my horse through it even if cost was not a problem.
 
scarymare said:
I totally agree but have already changed vets so its really difficult. I think he wants the bandages on for months. I really really wish i was back in Windsor and Simon Knapp was my vet because then at least I'd know that the treatment was correct. My current vet is undoubtedly the best horse vet in Aberdeenshire but.......
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Scarymare, did you have a look at the link to an old thread on H&H about Manuka honey and a pretty graphic and horrendous injury? well worth a peek. Also can I ask someone to post the image of scarymares mares injury on here, I can't go on the website for here so have no idea what this injury is like and would be interested to see.

SM:
I would be doing everything, I like the idea of mixing up approaches but remember that natural remedies (herbs and stuff) can have contraindications with normal medication and also are not safe for anyone whos pregnant, so check these out carefully for your mare if you decide to go down the route of herbs and aromatherapy.
 
scarymare said:
I totally agree but have already changed vets so its really difficult. I think he wants the bandages on for months. I really really wish i was back in Windsor and Simon Knapp was my vet because then at least I'd know that the treatment was correct. My current vet is undoubtedly the best horse vet in Aberdeenshire but.......
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I understand that and it's always difficult when you have a vet who might not be the easiest or most flexible person to work with. You know if I was you I'd be sorely tempted to email your previous vet and give a quick run down (with photos) of what's been tried so far. I am a "think outside the box" type person too so I would not be managing it in the way your current vet has prescribed and I've handled a lot of serious wounds similar to your horse's where all of them have healed up well and relatively quickly by comparison. It sounds like you're just going round and round and not really getting anywhere fast. Not to trivialise it but in the grand scale of things it really doesn't look like that bad a wound and it's one that had I wouldn't have had any worries about it not healing. The more I hear, the more I realise just how lucky I am that I have a vet who is keen to take my thoughts and suggestions into consideration and is so willing to work with me. I do hope your mare recovers and that next spring when you have a little baby wandering around that this will be a distant memory. Lots of good luck and healing vibes from me.
 
queenbee said:
SM:
I would be doing everything, I like the idea of mixing up approaches but remember that natural remedies (herbs and stuff) can have contraindications with normal medication and also are not safe for anyone whos pregnant, so check these out carefully for your mare if you decide to go down the route of herbs and aromatherapy.
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Excellent point queenbee about the herbal remedies. I winced when I read that. Sorry no disrespect to the poster suggesting it, it's just with broodmares you have to be so careful.
 
scarymare said:
I totally agree but have already changed vets so its really difficult. I think he wants the bandages on for months. I really really wish i was back in Windsor and Simon Knapp was my vet because then at least I'd know that the treatment was correct. My current vet is undoubtedly the best horse vet in Aberdeenshire but.......
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I know how you feel, my whippet slammed the door on our springers tail at christmas and it had to be docked, the vets bandaged it up so tight and kept bandaging it, it became horrid and the just kept advising to clean and rebandage. He would have lost his tail, it was just eating into the flesh and not healing, in the end we told the vet we wanted it treated with hydrogen peroxide to get rid of the horrible stuff and left to breath, not be smothered. That was the turning point. I am not saying you should use Hydrogen peroxide :eek: but I am saying that with gilly, I really believe that if it hadnt been smothered in bandages and had been allowed to breath, he would not have had any trouble with it healing.
 
nothing to say apart from sorry to hear of your situation. what a bloody shame :-( please exaust every possible thing to try. atleast you know you have done absolutly everything you could of. keep us posted and i wish you well x
 
Spring Feather said:
I understand that and it's always difficult when you have a vet who might not be the easiest or most flexible person to work with. You know if I was you I'd be sorely tempted to email your previous vet and give a quick run down (with photos) of what's been tried so far. I am a "think outside the box" type person too so I would not be managing it in the way your current vet has prescribed and I've handled a lot of serious wounds similar to your horse's where all of them have healed up well and relatively quickly by comparison. It sounds like you're just going round and round and not really getting anywhere fast. Not to trivialise it but in the grand scale of things it really doesn't look like that bad a wound and it's one that had I wouldn't have had any worries about it not healing. The more I hear, the more I realise just how lucky I am that I have a vet who is keen to take my thoughts and suggestions into consideration and is so willing to work with me. I do hope your mare recovers and that next spring when you have a little baby wandering around that this will be a distant memory. Lots of good luck and healing vibes from me.
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bit of mutual grooming going on here but an excellent point by SF, I too would contact your previous vets, and guage their opinion. Also you can see by my post about my springers tail that I am a bit of a 'think outside the box person' too vets know a lot of stuff about a lot of stuff, but they do not know everything :D
 
I mentioned on your last post I think about trying Covidien Anti-Microbial dressings. They are expensive but really worth a try...they stay on for about a week which will lessen the intrusion to the mare and may help her cope with treatment. The horse we used them on was on a one way ticket to PTS...he had too much life in him for that so we went to a new vet. She was amazing and has done alot of the consults via email pics as she is 2hrs away. We were still not sure we could save him but we got stuck in and it has worked...he started back on the walker two days ago and will be ridden out from next week. If all stays right he will run after Christmas.
 
amage said:
I mentioned on your last post I think about trying Covidien Anti-Microbial dressings. They are expensive but really worth a try...they stay on for about a week which will lessen the intrusion to the mare and may help her cope with treatment. The horse we used them on was on a one way ticket to PTS...he had too much life in him for that so we went to a new vet. She was amazing and has done alot of the consults via email pics as she is 2hrs away. We were still not sure we could save him but we got stuck in and it has worked...he started back on the walker two days ago and will be ridden out from next week. If all stays right he will run after Christmas.
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I am so pleased for you - inspirational story. The dressings used atm are silver alginate ones which have their own merits. I guess I'll have to press my vet to look at other options.
 
fatpiggy said:
I'm a big fan of manuka honey too and don't forget you can add it to her feed for extra help. I know only too well what it is like to have a horse which is a big financial burden. My vet told me this week I can't have the special discount any more that was arranged with the manufacturer, so I've got to find about £100 per month extra - my total drug bill will now be around £500 per month. To cap it all horsey is 28, retired and so doesn't even earn her keep! I could write a book on how to live on fresh air and charity shop bargains. At the end of day, it can only be your choice, the same as it is mine. Most people would say I was insane, but I've got the rest of my life to have holidays, new shoes and to miss her in.
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wow. you just made me cry with that last sentence x
 
queenbee said:
I know how you feel, my whippet slammed the door on our springers tail at christmas and it had to be docked, the vets bandaged it up so tight and kept bandaging it, it became horrid and the just kept advising to clean and rebandage. He would have lost his tail, it was just eating into the flesh and not healing, in the end we told the vet we wanted it treated with hydrogen peroxide to get rid of the horrible stuff and left to breath, not be smothered. That was the turning point. I am not saying you should use Hydrogen peroxide :eek: but I am saying that with gilly, I really believe that if it hadnt been smothered in bandages and had been allowed to breath, he would not have had any trouble with it healing.
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So agree with you. The main problem with leaving it uncovered is that were the last rubbish vets stitched it (badly) there is a 'pocket' of gapping skin at the bottom of the wound. This gets filled with s*** (literally). I have told the vet that i think he should cut it off. He is loathe to do so though as expected (past tense) this to grow up the wound. The pocket is still 'viable' so I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. He also makes the point that when there is such a huge amount of uncovered flesh - why would you want to cut more off (the wound doesn't meet by 4 inches initially - more than 6 now. Nightmare again
 
sorry havent read all the posts.

is she kept at home or equine hospital ??

hospital she would get more specialist care depends on if she insured or not

are you near glasgow equine vets ??? they carry one where vets stop they take in the hard cases and give them a second chance.



when my mare ripped her knee cap off we used jelonet

and dermasol which speeds healing
 
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