advice needed

Fairynuff

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this afternoon the vet is coming to see Wesley. Wesley isnt ill, Wesley is a 36 year old Irish TB who is now tired with life. He eats like a pig(let), his droppings are perfect as poo can be and he pees for Italy. Now for the down side-he was always a bugger to turn out (rope burns and co), he now staggers away.He was always a bright spark who would scream for his tea-I now have to waken him up. He can hardly lift his feet for picking out and he doesnt lie down-hes obviously frightened too as he now has difficulty in getting up again. I know where this is all pointing but...what do I say, if I say anything to his owner
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Wesleys owner is a high powered business woman and in the 7 years he has been here she has come 3 times to see him. Do I call her saying that if she wants to see her boy alive she had better come soon. or., let him go peacefully and call her to say that hes gone? I know that hes not mine but she hasnt really given a toss in all these years that I feel that she's an intruder in a moment of a painfull part of his and my life
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Will take some photos this pm and you can judge for yourselves-hes gone downhill overnight although underneath it all hes still my Wesley. Im off to dry my eyes
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I feel so useless. M.
 
Think you need to contact her and say the time has come to have the horse pts.

I'm not sure you should do it without her permission.
 
I would call her, I know she has been a distant owner, and I am sure she will be happy to leave any final decisions to you, but it would be kind to involve her in the process (even if it is only to remind her that she does own a horse).

No matter how you may feel personally (and I sympathise, I really do), you are doing this as a business, and therefore must be seen to be doing the right thing in spite of your feelings.
 
Difficult one and one I hope I am never in
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You will know when the time is right and as his keeper then I don't think you need to seek permission, however she will need to know as soon as possible after the event, if not spoken to her beforehand.

I would be in the same mindset as you if I was ever in that position
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Whatever you decide, you will be right ... << hugs >>
 
((((hugs))))
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I would notify the owner - to cover your own back as well as giving her a chance to say goodbye. The last thing you'll want to deal with is her kicking up a fuss once he's gone.
 
I was in a very similar situation to you when I was looking after a horse for someone, I had had him for 7 or 8 years and the lady used to come over about once a year to see him. When I spoke to her about how he had deteriorated and how I thought the time had come for him to be pts, she wanted to be with him. I think it is only fair that you contact the owner, she maybe more concerned than you think and at least it will give her a chance to say goodbye.
 
hugs to you and wesley! i agree you need to contact the owner and let her know that you feel its time to say goodbye. if she is a decent person she will do the right thing and not let him suffer.
 
what is the likelihood of..
A. Her coming to see him
B. Her bothering either way

i'd let him go..then phone her to say he's passed away, Mairi.

hugs

F
 
if she's cared enough about him to pay his bills for all this time, even though she hasn't been to see him very often, I think she deserves to be included in the loop.
 
Just because an owner only comes to see a horse once a year or so doesn't mean they don't care. It's her horse and you should inform her that his condition has deteriorated to the point where he needs to be PTS. She obviously trusts you with his day to day care but I doubt she'd want you to make such an important decision without consulting her.
 
Call her and as kindly and as firmly as possible put it across to her that the horse is ready to leave this world. I would never take that decision from an owner except under extreme emergency situations.
 
If she has paid you on a regular basis, then she has trusted you to look after her old boy... which is a compliment to you, you must inform her of your decisions, as at the end of the day she knows he is being well looked after, but she may want to say goodbye. TBH she sounds like the perfect owner
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Dont risk having him put to sleep without calling her. If she ever found out he didnt die naturally she could well sue you - not worth the risk at all
 
I am very touched at your concern for this horse and your obviously strong connection with him, but I'm quite shocked that you would consider having him pts without telling his owner. I think that would be a very unkind (and also rather underhand) thing to do.

Sorry about the horrible situation you're in, and hope that it's not as desperate as you suspect.

ETS: Just re-read your post and realised that you didn't mention putting him to sleep, but suggested that he might just slip away soon. So, my post was a bit off-point really - sorry. I still think that you need to phone his owner straight away, though, so that she at least has a chance to see him before the end.
 
Agreed with Mrs H. She has paid for his keep, she has other things in life I'm guessing which is why she pays for him to be with you.
Call her.
 
Im thankful for all of your replies, you are always such a caring bunch
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. I think I may have given you the idea that I would contemplate having him put down on the quiet, this I would never do. What I meant was, should I call her to say he is going downhill fast or wait till hes either popped his clogs (hopefully in his sleep) or wait till he HAS to be put down before I call her. Ive called her a few times in the past when hes been unwell and although she has always paid bills (via her office-he is tax deductable
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) etc, she doesnt seem to be overly interested.
The vet has been and given him a good going over. His heart is tired and hes almost BLIND!He let me have a look in his eyes and it looks like the xmas lights on Oxford St
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Poor boy has never shown any signs of loosing his sight and his shuffly behaviour could be due to him being unsure of whats around him.This behaviour has only become noticable over the past few days and it never dawned on me, I feel like a very bad Mum
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. Ali has taken some blood and will check out his kidneys and liver and has left me with a prescription for Bute Paste and various vits and things in the hope of giving him a boost.Should know the results tomorrow. Ive decided to keep quiet till I have the results of his blood tests at least then I have something concrete to go on. What do you think, is that acceptable?. M.
 
He looks very sad and as if he has had enough of life. I would telephone the owner and say you really belive it is for the best that he is quiety pts now, before he really starts suffering.
I really feel for you, having to do this,but I know you will do what's best for him.
Huge hugs coming your way, with strength to help you through this.
 
Oh Bless him, he looks so tired with it all.

I think you need to have a chat with his owner and suggest that maybe she comes out to visit him and both of you can make any decisions then.
 
My old girl did this last year and we had to make the decision that it was time for her to go. She was tired too, I would tell the owner and let her decide if she is going to see him before the end or not.
 
is this been like him for a while or has he lost this weight suddeenl;y? if he his happy healthy and bright try your hardest in every way. on the other hand if he his not being like him self like you know you will have your questions answered best wishes and hugs!
 
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