am i doing the right thing

T

tikino

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 January 2006
Messages
4,632
Location
scotland/ glasgow
Visit site
i have a 16year old thxid mare. she has been retired for 4 years due to severe arthiritis in her hocks we have plodding along during each winter where she has days when she is realy sore and days when she is a wee bit better. she is on buet every day. the thing is she is crippled and looking crap at the moment. i brought her in from the feild tonight and she was hopping lame so had the vet out who gave her iv anti imflamitorys and said is it more likely more arthritic change but said that there might be a secondary problem going on that is stopping her putting weight on and her coat looking so starey. she also said that they could investigae it further if we wanted to but it will not fix the main problem her arthic hocks.i am know thinking that if its only october and she is like this what like will she be when the winter goes into full swing. i therefore think it might be kinder for the mare to put her to sleep but want to make sure i am doing the right thing as don't want her to go if its to soon but want her to go while she is happy
 
If shes in pain and suffering, even after a daily dose of bute, and from your post it sounds as thought her quality of life is no great, then I would have to consider PTS.

Its a difficultdicision, but it may be kinder.

Lou x
 
Goign through something similar. Had to make a hard decision, though thinking about it, it wasn't really a decision I had to make - it was already there, I just had to acknowledge and accept it. Maybe you are in the same place. Wishing you strength and sending you hugs.
 
I think you already know the answer to this. It is a hard decision to make, but you just know when the time is right. Sending big hugs to you.
 
One of our old boys was kept reasonably sound for a number of years on various joint suppliments and eventually on bute. He had one bute a day for the last three years of his life which gave him quality of life. Two days before he died, he was cantering in the field and he would also play with the other geldings.

We ensured that he had access to a stable but that he was kept moving around, especially at night.

If your mare has spavin, it has been proven that exercise can help with natural hock fusion.

Whatever you decide to do, it will be the right thing for your mare. Sending you lots of positive vibes. Hx
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top