Can I cry pls?

I am pleased everyones good wishes are helping you , I know how frustrating it can be when you have no answers to why they are not responding to all you do.

If only you can find the cause it would be so much easier to deal with, keep plugging away, something or someone may just have the answer, you need to keep asking the questions.

You are doing really well, keep updating and we will keep thinking of you both and trying to come up with ideas that may help.
 
em, im devastated for you, i truely hope tje vets come back with some anserrs for you
thinking about you both and preying tour a step nearer toan answer xx
 
Oh dear, she is in poor way isn't she :(


I really hope that you get some answers today QB, it must be exhausting not knowing what is going on, I think once you get resolution whether good or bad it will be a relief from the uncertainty. Fingers and everything crossed that she can be fixed. xxx
 
Hi everyone, I was greeted by a couple of heart warming whinneys this morning, one high and impatient (complete with head tossing) from Ben and on low, warm and gentle from my little lady. Overnight she had eaten all the pulled grass I put in, most of her chaff and mix and a good helping of her haylage. I popped a fresh helping of mollichaff and mix into a bowl and she snuffled it and then just looked over the door:( so I filled a stubbs scoop about 2/3 full of mix and fed her from that, she ate it all, she then had a scoop of chaff in her bowl, ate all that too:rolleyes: apparently she didnt like her feeds mixed today:rolleyes::rolleyes: shes out in the grassy lane at the moment having a leg stretch and a nibble of grass.

The vet got back to me too this morning, and basically the best idea is malabsorption syndrome or neoplasia. The 2 suggestions are, referral for further investigations or prednisolone with the option of referral if this doesn't work. So we are starting with prednisolone next week on a dose of 1mg per 1kg to begin with. This should help with appetite and also reduce inflammation which may help allow her to heal, the vet is also looking into some form of low dose daily wormer to ensure that absolutely nothing is able to aggravate any inflammation further. Of course the malabsorption could be linked to the liver, even though the function tests came back ok, there was one slightly raised result, although not anything glaring we still have the possibility that it could be this, so she is going on milk thistle just in case her liver is compromised. Further investigations include scans. If it is malabsorption, chances of a favourable outcome are slight, recommended treatment is (low dose of wormer daily, feeding roughage and high energy feed, and steroids) this is her only chance. Neoplasia, is cancer... enough said :( So we are assuming that it is the stomach/gut that is causing the problem but know that it could still be the liver, either way, this course of treatment is her absolute best chance, probably her only one, giving her body a boost and the best possible chance to heal itself if that is possible. So we will be starting on our last chance next week. As I said earlier in this thread, I have come to terms with what I think is going to happen but Im damn well going to give her everything Ive got xxx

Thanks for all your lovely messages.


One other question, I know what will happen and how, if/when 'that day' comes and how it will be handled for both Ebony and Ben. My worry is that he would then have to go out into his field alone :( There is no companion he could go in with, although he could look over the gate and see his neighbour, he comes and goes from his field. On the one hand, I dont want him to leave the yard that he knows, but on the other hand I feel it would be good for him to go to the woman who will back him, as he will have a lot of experienced people around him, lots of other horses, work and handling at a time when it is going to be difficult for both him and me. I will be with him most days and I have utter faith in the woman he will be with. It seems a bit drastic to consider sending him away straight after, but a part of me thinks that its the right thing to do, he may feel more isolated and alone if he stays. I know he's my horse and at the end of the day only I can chose etc, but what are peoples thoughts on this?
 
Oh QB I'm sorry (((hugs)))).


As for your other horse, I'd honestly take each day as it comes if the worst happens and see how you feel. It might be beneficial for him to have some 'chill' time to get used to Ebony not being there before you send him off. If there is another horse he can see I think I'd wait and see how he goes before deciding to send him. Plenty of time to get your head round things and make decisions when needs be, no point stressing about it now.

Here's hoping the steroids help, they should at least make her feel better. xxx
 
So sorry you and your lovely girl are having to go through this....really hope she keeps fighting next week and pulls through.

As for your other horse...I think you need to give yourself a break.....I know you are worrying about him but you really have enough on your plate...he may well find this upsetting but you musn't be worrying about this on top of what you are already doing...you really are working hard and worrying yourself sick...try not to add to it.
 
touchstone said:
Oh QB I'm sorry (((hugs)))).


As for your other horse, I'd honestly take each day as it comes if the worst happens and see how you feel. It might be beneficial for him to have some 'chill' time to get used to Ebony not being there before you send him off. If there is another horse he can see I think I'd wait and see how he goes before deciding to send him. Plenty of time to get your head round things and make decisions when needs be, no point stressing about it now.

Here's hoping the steroids help, they should at least make her feel better. xxx
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thank you TS, Im aware that with the steroids I will see her perk up, but it may well not be 'fixing' her, so Im not going to let myself get too excited when she does, but Im taking it day by day, and can only hope. I am also acutely aware that prednisolone can cause constipation, I now need to plan for this, her stools are already very dry, each pellet coming out hard and separate, like a load of big dark brown marbles! She is pooing regularly and she isnt dehydrated so I need to formulate a plan to deal with this, if she goes on the prednisolone this will make this worse, and I may then be risking colic, which she would not survive given her state. She is drinking well and urinating well, what are the best things for 'loosening her up' Im thinking blended fruit and veg?
 
Feeding oil should help to lubricate things, perhaps even syringing some in if she isn't eating anything? Sloppy feeds if she will eat them too. If her food intake is low then that may be why her droppings are like marbles, hopefully the steroids might encourage her to eat more too, which will help her digestive system to get going. :)

I really hope that she turns a corner for you, but sadly understand the need to be realstic, I think you're a great owner to do all you are for her, she's very lucky. :)
 
thank you TS, but to be honest I look at my girl and just cant believe than anyone wouldn't pull out all the stops, you can all see that she means the world to me, but I still couldnt express it adequately in words x The thing is, that in relative terms she is eating about 3 cakes of haylage a day (max) having about 2 hrs grazing on grass and having 3 feeds during the day (min 1.5 scoops each feed) and 1 big bowl throughout the night, so regardless of her pickyness and lack of appetite, for the most part she is eating a fair amount and even when she wasnt picky and was eating loads, her poo was still like this. Yes, I did think of syringing oil too, hopefully it will help her a bit. Just thought Id post a pic of the goodies that arrived for her today... they have all been fab, Baileys sent half a warehouse! and 4 samples of their outshine alone :eek::D and both dengie and Blue chip have sent £5 vouchers aswell, and I have a sample of the ultra grass from badminton in there which I really hope she likes, I can start giving her a big bucket of this at night to help with variety and good stuff going in.

527752_452364138107300_99065559_n.jpg
 
I hope you get some good news soon.

Looks like a temptating haul you have there and I hope she concurs.

Re if you have to make that decision... I had 2 mares on a rented place and 1 had to be pts. I left my TB in her stable while I took the QH round the back with the vet. Don't want to be graphic but after the deed was done and the vet left I called my dad to come and pick TB up. As I just had the 2 I decided to move TB onto livery so that I could focus on her. It was completely the wrong decision/way of doing things.

My TB was screaming and completely wired. It was heartbreaking. She then travelled really badly to the new yard and didn't settle at all.

Given my time again I would have arranged for a companion and kept them as a 3 for a week or so before that day. I don't know if that would be an option. If you're thinking of moving horse no.2 and your mare is ok on her own/stabled most of the time I'd perhaps move horse 2 first before the day.

I really hope it doesn't come to that and that your mare turns the corner. Really wishing you both the best x
 
I'd be pulling out all the stops for her too QB, although I think there are those that wouldn't :(

That sample collection looks fab! Lots to tempt her with there :D

Have you mentioned your worries about constipation to the vet? He might be able to give you (or Ebony rather!) something to help. :)
 
Thanks guys, yes it looks very tempting, Im sure she will like :D Im going to give her outshine, hand fed as a treat, if she has that, at her RDA im hoping that anything additional she eats will be a bonus, we will go from there...

touchstone said:
I'd be pulling out all the stops for her too QB, although I think there are those that wouldn't :(

That sample collection looks fab! Lots to tempt her with there :D

Have you mentioned your worries about constipation to the vet? He might be able to give you (or Ebony rather!) something to help. :)
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Vet knows her stools are, suspect, but she doesnt seem to be straining, and she is regular, so he hasnt been overly worried, although I think this will definately be something to discuss when we start prednisolone.

I was looking at something like sand guard, dont think she'd eat mineral oil:rolleyes::eek:
 
Been following your story and wishing you well from the side lines. Just wanted to drop in and give you some virtual support. I'm sure if she should she'd give you a big sloppy hug too and say thank you for all you're doing for her. And am impressed at those feed companies, that's a nice gesture from them. Thinking of you and hoping you get some closure soon, in the best way possible for both of you xx
 
I look at the photos and think poor Ebony. But in truth, it's also lucky Ebony, to be so loved and cared for and have an owner who is doing everything humanly possible to help her and keep her comfortable.

The haul from the companies is great :D but it's your communication with them which has produced such results.

Look after yourself, Emily, and get plenty of rest when you can. You are an absolute angel to your lovely girl and no-one could do more for an animal. I hope you have lots of love and support around you to help you through this exhausting time. xxx
 
I'm so sorry that you and poor Ebony are going through all this :( Lucky Ebony to have such a caring owner though.

Obviously not a magic cure or anything, but you might like to try offering her dandelion leaves and fresh peppermint or spearmint leaves as they are all good for keeping digesiton moving, boosting the liver and helping horses to absorb nutrients. If she doesn't want them no doubt she'll leave them as horses are very good at self selecting what they need- but worth offering them perhaps to supplement everything else you're doing for her?
 
Wagtail said:
Have you tried Pure Feeds?
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I havent used them before but they are sending me some samples to try

ghostie said:
I'm so sorry that you and poor Ebony are going through all this :( Lucky Ebony to have such a caring owner though.

Obviously not a magic cure or anything, but you might like to try offering her dandelion leaves and fresh peppermint or spearmint leaves as they are all good for keeping digesiton moving, boosting the liver and helping horses to absorb nutrients. If she doesn't want them no doubt she'll leave them as horses are very good at self selecting what they need- but worth offering them perhaps to supplement everything else you're doing for her?
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I have some mint in the garden, she is having nettle, willow and gorse tips to pick at and i will add dandelion to the list :D thank you :D

Bernster said:
Been following your story and wishing you well from the side lines. Just wanted to drop in and give you some virtual support. I'm sure if she should she'd give you a big sloppy hug too and say thank you for all you're doing for her. And am impressed at those feed companies, that's a nice gesture from them. Thinking of you and hoping you get some closure soon, in the best way possible for both of you xx
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Thank you x

FionaM12 said:
I look at the photos and think poor Ebony. But in truth, it's also lucky Ebony, to be so loved and cared for and have an owner who is doing everything humanly possible to help her and keep her comfortable.

The haul from the companies is great :D but it's your communication with them which has produced such results.

Look after yourself, Emily, and get plenty of rest when you can. You are an absolute angel to your lovely girl and no-one could do more for an animal. I hope you have lots of love and support around you to help you through this exhausting time. xxx
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Thank you xx I personally think I am the luckiest person alive whatever the outcome to have ever had a horse like her xx
 
QB fingers crossed for you both! I feel so sorry for you having been through similar. Fingers crossed that the Preds do the trick.

(A wee warning note and certainly don't want to be put a downer on - but have you checked how much the Preds cost with the vet??? I know you would do anything for your girl, but I was trully shocked at what I was charged.

Take care. X
 
I've just seen this.

One thing that would be worth a try I think is to get in touch with Jonny at www.silverliningherbs.co.uk - email him a photo and he'll recommend the mixes appropriate. Used this on a horse which lost a lot of weight through ongoing diarrhea (think over a year!) which the vets could not touch. Total cost £60. No hard sell.

What he does is a bit weird but it seems to work and would be worth a try.
 
Queenbee said:
thank you TS, but to be honest I look at my girl and just cant believe than anyone wouldn't pull out all the stops, you can all see that she means the world to me, but I still couldnt express it adequately in words x The thing is, that in relative terms she is eating about 3 cakes of haylage a day (max) having about 2 hrs grazing on grass and having 3 feeds during the day (min 1.5 scoops each feed) and 1 big bowl throughout the night, so regardless of her pickyness and lack of appetite, for the most part she is eating a fair amount and even when she wasnt picky and was eating loads, her poo was still like this. Yes, I did think of syringing oil too, hopefully it will help her a bit. Just thought Id post a pic of the goodies that arrived for her today... they have all been fab, Baileys sent half a warehouse! and 4 samples of their outshine alone :eek::D and both dengie and Blue chip have sent £5 vouchers aswell, and I have a sample of the ultra grass from badminton in there which I really hope she likes, I can start giving her a big bucket of this at night to help with variety and good stuff going in.

527752_452364138107300_99065559_n.jpg
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WOW!! That's a lot of goodies!! I didn't find outshine did much in the way of helping my old boy gain weight (but I obviously understand every horse is different and you are an amazing mummy who is willing to try anything for your girl!) however, because of the amount of oil in it it may help with her stools! I see a sample of mollichaff condition in there too. This is quite possibly the best feed I've fed my boy (who is a very poor doer!) I read that you were giving her some pulled grass, have you tried her on soaked grass pellets? I have EVERYTHING crossed for you and Ebony and hope that she picks up very very soon, she is so very lucky to have an owner like you who isn't just giving up on her :)
 
At lest you've got a point to start from now! Keep your chin up hun. Send you're got everyone here, your Vet, and the feed companies behind you both!

Should the worst come, I suggest you let Ben see her so he can understand that she's gone, and come to terms with it himself. And as long as he can see others he would probably be fine after a little while.
 
Don't know if anyone else has suggested it? A friends horse with gastric ulcers went like this, he now has magnesium based products and is 100 percent better, worth a try?
 
CH: yes I've seen the cost of it :( but what can you do? I have to try for her :(
SC thank you x i was meaning to pm you to ask about that x
RPP she used to do really well on outshine but she didn't like it today! She's had mollichaff, baileys top line blue chip pro and I mixed in the cereal feed too. She's being really picky but it should be gone overnight and I hand fed her a sample of top line cubes too.
LL she was on gastroguard for 2 weeks with no improvement :(

JH the plan so far if it happens is it will be done in the school which is grass but obviously has decent access. I will then bring Ben out and leave him in with her for a while until he seems settled. I will use injection, I think on many levels it's easier for me to deal with emotionally, less brutal (although I am absolutely not judging others I just know I couldn't cope with it) my oh will then take her to a lovely bit of croft land high up, on his land where we used to ride through and you can see everywhere around :D that's where she will be :D I think after hearing peoples opinions and experiences I'm going to be leaving Ben for a week at the yard and then assessing from there. When he does go, I'm going to chat with the trainer and see if I can go up and be as involved as possible so I really feel part of the process with him, normally I'd send to her, visit midway and go for a ride in the last week, but I need to feel part of it now whatever happens. She is pretty ace and knows what's going on so I'm sure she will be ok with this :)
 
If only they could talk, as in I feel like *this* and it hurts *here*. Queenbee I so feel for you, such a desperate situation. You are being incredibly brave, whatever happens you know you've got 100's of people rooting for you and the girl. Give her a hug from me, and a big heartfelt one from me to you. x
 
Could it be a suggestion that, instead of mixing her feeds, you give her a bucket of each and let her choose? I haven't forgotten your Copra - I'll post it tomorrow :)
 
Queenbee said:
I am also acutely aware that prednisolone can cause constipation, I now need to plan for this, her stools are already very dry, each pellet coming out hard and separate, like a load of big dark brown marbles! She is pooing regularly and she isnt dehydrated so I need to formulate a plan to deal with this, if she goes on the prednisolone this will make this worse, and I may then be risking colic, which she would not survive given her state. She is drinking well and urinating well, what are the best things for 'loosening her up' Im thinking blended fruit and veg?
Click to expand...

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