Blood results am I being unreasonble

[setterlover]

As stated we will not go down the route of medication.Costing it out we are looking at at least £150 a month and as we are on limited income as we are retired we just can't commit to that.
I have halved the size of the paddock he is on and will monitor.
He has absolutely zero symptoms other than a bit of a crest (he always has had a bit of a crest)he is cantering around just fine.The only reason we tested was because we are moving not because he had any symptoms .
If he was to develope laminitis we would let him go quietly at home having lived his best life.

 

[TheMule]

As stated we will not go down the route of medication.Costing it out we are looking at at least £150 a month and as we are on limited income as we are retired we just can't commit to that.
I have halved the size of the paddock he is on and will monitor.
He has absolutely zero symptoms other than a bit of a crest (he always has had a bit of a crest)he is cantering around just fine.The only reason we tested was because we are moving not because he had any symptoms .
If he was to develope laminitis we would let him go quietly at home having lived his best life.
I managed

And that’s totally up to you, but if the vet advised that then they would be unprofessional. Their job is to recommend the best course of action for that horse, regardless of cost. Of course you can then choose to not treat the horse or manage it differently, but they would be reckless if they suggested doing nothing when the horse had a positive test

 

[MuddyMonster]

It might not be what you what you want to hear or want to do but unless they were particularly aggressive or rude in their manner, I don't think it's necessarily fair to suggest bullying to limited grass and medication following a positive result.

I appreciate why you don't want to do it in your situation but they had a professional duty to your horse to give you all the information and possible strategies.

My regular vet knows why I've opted for a bare paddock as a key part of his management but I didn't think the stand vet was outrageous to suggest muzzles or track systems etc - I was glad they did, as they were just advocating for the horse, even if not ehat we've decided to do for us.

But very glad to hear despite the positive result he's still happy in himself. Long may it continue

 

[HorsesRule2009]

I'm usually one for trying to be understanding but that is terrible service. Have you tried just refusing to come off the line until a vet is summoned to read you the results? I understand companies have policies, etc etc, but it's an incredibly simple thing that you're needing!

I would go into the surgery, explain to the receptionist that you need a 5 min chat with a qualified vet and that you will wait until they find one.

This often won't work especially if an ambulatory practice, we very often don't have vets in the practice as they are out on calls so could easily be a 2hr wait for a vet to come into clinic.
As someone above described 'phone tag' alot of our vets phone clients and get vm often they leave a vm and find these aren't listened to.

It is great service but jot sure how it can be overcome, we tried allocating each vet a slot each week to report bloods but if emergencies came in eg colic we have to send them

 

[SEL]

I think we have to remember how many horses the vets deal with who do get laminitis - they are the ones called out to help an animal hobbling in pain so it's no wonder they want to head it off when faced with a positive EMS result.

I had a very honest chat with my vet about the fact that I'm dealing with a horse with 101 medical issues who cannot be ridden and who I'll only keep going so long as she has an enjoyable life. That doesn't mean gorge herself to death - so she is muzzled - but it also doesn't mean a dry lot etc. I'd be devastated to lose her but realistically she's a ticking time bomb (if not EMS then something else) so I have to be pragmatic. I know that conversation is on her records and I'm OK with that.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

This often won't work especially if an ambulatory practice, we very often don't have vets in the practice as they are out on calls so could easily be a 2hr wait for a vet to come into clinic.
As someone above described 'phone tag' alot of our vets phone clients and get vm often they leave a vm and find these aren't listened to.

It is great service but jot sure how it can be overcome, we tried allocating each vet a slot each week to report bloods but if emergencies came in eg colic we have to send them

Do you not have a regular time slot where vets are surgery based, at all? Not even at the beginning/end of the day?

OP, remember that the vet who spoke to you hasn't seen the pony/discussed the reason for the blood tests with you. You are perfectly free to accept or ignore their advice as you see fit.

 

[paddy555]

I have 3 with PPID and probably EMS or at least one is.
I just get the results and then I decide what to do based on numbers, clinical symptoms and the horse. I have a 40yo who has been on pergo for over 10 years. She is out on grass each day and yarded at night. For her quality of life is the most important and if she gets lami so be it she will be PTS. The other 2 are more managed as they are ridden daily but no way will I shut one in a dirt paddock.

OP no idea what land you have now but even with a small amount have you considered making a small track. I've run a track around the yard and house. Up the garden path, through stables and down corridors etc. It ends with a small area of bare paddock for rolling. It is surprising what you can do with domestic areas with just a bit of fencing. It makes a very "interesting" track with lots to look at. Is something like that possible maybe taking in the perimeter of your dirt paddock as well.

 

[paddy555]

Do you not have a regular time slot where vets are surgery based, at all? Not even at the beginning/end of the day?

we don't. I often have vet visits scheduled for 9am and sometimes they turn up as late as 6pm. Ours cover a large area so I suspect some may not even hit the surgery that often other than to drop tests etc off. Everything for us is via e mail (or their app) or speaking/visiting the receptionist who will try and speak to a vet to prescribe something.

 

[HorsesRule2009]

Do you not have a regular time slot where vets are surgery based, at all? Not even at the beginning/end of the day?

OP, remember that the vet who spoke to you hasn't seen the pony/discussed the reason for the blood tests with you. You are perfectly free to accept or ignore their advice as you see fit.

No not really they start at 8am and 1st call is booked 8-9.
They do come in to collect supplies / drop bloods in but this isn't a set time just where it fits in in the day

If we've someone wanting a passport signed fir vaccine as they didn't have it at appointment I try and get them ti come in when we have a horse booked at tge clinic but often people call in adhoc so are asked to leave the passport and we will call them once signed.