Advice please - sorry long

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wilde2

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My horse (18yr old) I have had for 10 years is to quote vet "riddled with arthritis" - and although hopping lame about 2 years ago, with a change in management and retired he is 2/10th lame and able to get around happily (on one danilon a day) He now has a cancerous growth on his penis - this was small and removed 2 months ago but has grown back and much worse - been told by vet not to clean it as it will bleed if slightly touched. I am waiting for the vet to call me back to discuss - but I think he was looking into laser treatment, as we had discounted amputation. I know nothing is guaranteed, but I don't want to extend his pain unless there is a very good chance it will work longer term. Obviously I need to speak to the vet, but wondered if anyone had any experience of this - or what your gut reaction would be? He seems the same in himself which is what makes it so hard to tell. Thanks for reading - really want to do the right thing.
 
Oh dear. Really really sad and difficult situation to be in.

My head says - give him the summer if he can be kept comfortable. Then let him go. But this would be for purely financial reasons. I wouldn't pay out more money on a horse that was a field ornament only.

However, my heart may something different if he were mine, or if money were no object.
 
Golly what a horrid situation for you- sadly I would have to agree wholeheartedly with Amymay, but I hope you may be able to find a more effective solution
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i would love to give you some advise!

but i would belive it will be easier once spoken to you'r vets and see what he thinks or if his had to do this before and the out come. but i do belive that you need to do the right thing by the horse or with anyanimal don't keep them just for you'r own comfort do the right thing for him, i mean keep in mind 18 is not realy that old!

and also i could not imagine haveing to be put in that situation.

good luck and hope you come to the right decission for you and you lil man

xx
 
Thanks to you both - I suspect the issue with leaving it over the summer will be the flies (this is one of the things the vet was concerned about) - what really worries me is making him miserable with painful treatments that end up being ineffective. Thanks again
 
[ QUOTE ]
I suspect the issue with leaving it over the summer will be the flies

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, as I was typing my response I was thinking the same thing.

Bugger! Sorry
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What a sad situation to be in. I think you should speak to your vet. My old horse is 28 in January and despite a major set back at the end of 2008 is still going strong and recovering well. If the cancer is not invasive and contained to one area, if successfully treated you could have another 10 years with your horse. Appreciate you may not be riding him but if his quality of life would not be affected if he were treated, and there were no further complications as a result then if you are happy to have him as a 'pet' rather than a ride then I would say try to treat him.

If in any pain, suffering or not treatable successfully then make the decision to let him go while he is happy.
 
I started to write this and had to start again, just dreading the day when i have to make such a decision.
What can we say to you to really help other that to tell you what we would personally do.
As much as i would not want to see him go i would not put him though something unnecessarily as i'm sure you won't. As far as him having the treatment and being a field ornament if he was happy i would sell everything to keep him, i would owe my neddies that for all the love and friendship they have given.
I think you really have to go on what your vet advises, if you feel he is a good vet and you trust him, go with his advice, if you are unsure get a second opinion.
I hope the decision you have to make is not too difficult.
 
I personally think in the circumstances if the vet thinks the outcome is uncetain I would let him go. I know how sad it is I had to make the decision last year with one oldie and my 29 year is apporaching the situation with arthritus so I know it won't be that long before I have to make a painful decision again.

I think it is better to let them go sooner rather than later for their sakes.
 
Thanks again to everyone- the vet is very good, but he had to go in for unexpected surgery - hence I have been waiting 5 days to speak to him and of course it keeps going round in my head all the what ifs. I agree I owe him everything, and I am sure unless something makes it obvious that whatever happens I will still be thinking what if. It doesn't help that he only goes out for a few hours a day (more than that and his arthritis makes him really lame - especially on the hard ground). I thought this would make him really unhappy (he had to be on box rest once and completely changed personality - told me in no uncertain terms what he thought to that idea!) - but has adapted amazingly well. He also has a fan club of young children that he looks after, and so has the best groomed knees in the yard at times! I am so torn - I knew someone that was prosecuted once because she kept putting off a decision that should have been made years ago - so its always in my mind that I have to face facts. Thanks for your support - its the first time I have been in this situation with any animal - for that I should be very grateful.
 
What an awful situation to be in. For the horse's sake If it was me, I would ask the vet to make him as pain free as is possible for aweek or so, spoil him rotten and then let him go.
 
Poor you, what a miserable thing to happen.
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I just think you should wait to see what the vet says. See what he thinks the percentage chance of success is and find out what the laser involves and whether it is particularly unpleasant for the horse. I think you will know whats best when you have all the information. Good luck
 
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