Colic Dilemma

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DrDolittle

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My horse suffered a displacement early last week and is currently at the vets as a result, the displacement has now been corrected however my horse is still showing signs of low grade colic and I am at a loss what to do from here.
He has suffered from bouts of colic since I bought him as a four year old four years ago and originally he was diagnosed with ulcers, since then we treated the ulcers and completely changed his management but he carried on getting colic on occasions.
A year and a half ago he suffered a displacement due to a Nephrosplenic Entrapment but once this was corrected he has been fine. That was till last Tuesday when the same displacement occurred again and again he needed to be admitted to hospital however this time it does not seem to be as straight forward.

I am just home from visiting him and to say that I am emotional would be an understatement, he looks down, depressed and exhausted and I really don't know how much more I can put him through. He seems unable to go longer than 12hrs without colicing and the vets are pretty much at a loss as to why, they have suggested giving another day to see how it goes.

Really I am just looking for some advice as to what others would do, I know I have probably not explained it to well so please ask questions if you want further info.
 
Based on what you have written, my advice would be to let him go on a colic free day. Go up and spoil him rotten with treats and cuddles and then say goodbye.

I'm sorry if that's not what you want to hear, it sounds like you have done all you can. But unfourtantly it sounds like this will keep on happening.
 
What a horrible time for you both,much can happen in 12 hours, his gut might just be needing to settle down, but it would be unfare to allow it to go on every day, i cant say what id do without all the info, but having had one of mine in the Dick vet for 4 days due to colic that's a colicky mare, my heart goes out to you.
 
I really feel for u one of mine is a colicky horse and was colicking on a regular basis and questioned myself how much to put him through really , I decided to give him another 24 hours with vets agreement and he has really responded back happy and in work now but I know how hard the decision is for u I hope u have a good outcome keep us updated on your boy x x
 
I am so sorry to read of your on-going struggle. Having been through four and a half years of trying to get my girl right (lameness) there came a point where I had to admit that I couldn't help her and it was time to stop the pain.

You know your horse and will know the right thing to do.
 
I agree, you have gone to great lengths to find a cause, but at some point you have to say enough is enough. A really terrible situation to be in, but if it were me I would PTS x
 
This is so hard! I am absolutely heartbroken but I think I know what I have to do. I have just spoke to the vets and they say that he has been laying down all evening and they had to make him get up to eat.

I have never given much thought to those that have had to make this decision before now, I always thought that I would "know" when the time was right and that the decision would be easy, I was not prepared for how difficult this would be.

He really is a fantastic horse, he is beautiful and funny and I adore every inch of him and he has been my life for the past four years. I would post a pic but I can't bare to look at a photo just now.

Sorry for such a depressing post but I need to hear how others have dealt with this situation, how did you even bring yourself to drive to the yard/vets to be there.
 
You go because you want to, but strongly suggest you take someone with you, don't drive alone. Hugs hun, such a sad story xx
 
amymay said:
You do because it's the right thing to do.
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I feel I owe it to them I have to say the ones I have had the roughest time with after they where gone where the ones I was not with.
You grit your teeth and go though it .
I am sorry you are in this situation .
 
DrDolittle said:
This is so hard! I am absolutely heartbroken but I think I know what I have to do. I have just spoke to the vets and they say that he has been laying down all evening and they had to make him get up to eat.

I have never given much thought to those that have had to make this decision before now, I always thought that I would "know" when the time was right and that the decision would be easy, I was not prepared for how difficult this would be.

He really is a fantastic horse, he is beautiful and funny and I adore every inch of him and he has been my life for the past four years. I would post a pic but I can't bare to look at a photo just now.

Sorry for such a depressing post but I need to hear how others have dealt with this situation, how did you even bring yourself to drive to the yard/vets to be there.
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amymay said:
You do because it's the right thing to do.
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Absolutely this, when you love a horse, and you see it struggling and you see it is less than half the horse it should be because of pain and tiredness... It kills you to do the right thing, but really, when I put my girl down... I felt an empty relief, peace and calm, because for her it was all over... She would never no pain or tiredness again. It doesn't stop your hurt, but it is strangely comforting.

The biggest gift we can give our animals is compassion and an end to their suffering.

We do it for them, not us, if we were only thinking of ourselves we would never PTS.

It is in my opinion from what you've said, time to say good bye. Bags of bute for a lovely happy day and PTS that day. X. Then come on here if you need to and we will all prop you up x
 
My mare had 24 hr colic a couple of months ago, necessitating three vet visits. Vet and I discussed the possibility of referral to horsepital (fortunately it never came to that). Because sis and I have always said that we wouldn't put a horse through colic surgery, when the vet said that she thought the horse was too old and too big, she was quite relieved when I told her our decision. I always think that it's better to decide these things in the cold light of day, rather than waiting for an emotionally-charged emergency.
Having said that, it is always hard to know what to do for the best when a horse is ill. We have just had a 31 yr old pts, she hadn't been right for a few weeks and despite vet, farrier and x-rays, we couldn't find the problem. Then one day she suddenly went downhill and the decision became much easier.
If you need the vet's advice, I find the best thing is to ask what they would do in the same circumstances. They probably won't want to tell you what to do but will be happy to say what they would do. I have found this a very useful tactic in the past.
You do what you have to do because the horse needs you to do it.
 
MrsMozart said:
You do it because it's the right thing, because your horse is comforted hearing your voice and knowing you're there, because that's the last thing you horse will know and the pain will be gone.
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Absolutely, it gave me so much solace to know that the last thing that ebony saw was the person that loved her more than anything in the world... The person she knew and trusted for 11 years. Op I don't mind telling you that I collapsed... Proper knees buckling as she did... Without friends there hovering to scoop me up I'd not have got up, but I'd never have it any other way... She had no idea what was coming, it was a lovely day, she had grass in her mouth, sun on her back and her mum looking in her eyes, talking to her and stroking her...

I'm proud of being able to give her that and would have regretted not holding her. It is different for everyone, many people worry that they will cry... So what, I was blubbing I love you's to her, but I know she felt how much I loved her.
 
I have to say you have to be bravehere and make the decisision. oh hun i have had to recently be it not immidiate has yours but i truelly understand . hugs to you what ever you decide.xxx
 
Mrs m when thr day comes for my lass soon i will be there singing our fav song and no tears till its over because her last thoughts are as you say . but crying now :( x x x
 
I'm another who would say to pts I'm afraid. As for being there, I find that I need to be for my own peace of mind; however everyone is different and vets are used to dealing with this situation in a calm and compassionate way, so if you really feel you can't be there I'm sure it will still be a blessed relief for your horse. When they are so ill they can get past the point of caring who is with them at times I think.

My neighbour had an elderly horse that was taken into hospital with severe pain in a hindleg, and the vets couldn't diagnose what was wrong after scans and x-rays, so the decision was made to pts. She had it done without being present herself and was just relieved to end his suffering.

Horrible time for you, but a testament of your love to your horse is the hurt that you hold when you have to let them go.
 
He is recovering from a major physical trauma. He is in a strange setting.

He will look rubbish.

But that doesn't mean the vets are wrong to say you can give him another day to see how it goes. As others have said it may improve.

Personally I'd bring him home if at all possible if you do decide to have him PTS. Familiar places and loads of treats.

It is very tough. Thoughts with you and him.
 
In addition to my above posts I would just say in these situations its all about loving, knowing and reading your horse...

Ebs had a sparkle in her eye... I could see her will to fight until the very last night. When I saw it had gone, I respected that, listen to your horse, and trust that you only have your horses best interest at heart.

Hugs and thoughts are will you xx
 
I truly feel for you. I had to make the decision last week to put my boy down. He had contracted sub acute grass sickness. Had to put him through the op as they dont know if colic or GS unless operated on. I'd only had him ten months and he was my first.

In the end it wasnt a tough decision as I just knew. I saw him post op, his head hanging, grinding his teeth, still bravely fighting. I made the decision for him, not for me. There's not a minute that I dont miss him and the pain is unbearable.

I had no hope, but it sounds like you do and that's so much harder, the "what ifs". I can't advise you what to do all I can say is whatever you decide has to be for the horses benefit.

Be brave. Make a balanced decision and I wish you all the comfort in the world, because you'll need it, as do I.
 
Worldiscomplete said:
I truly feel for you. I had to make the decision last week to put my boy down. He had contracted sub acute grass sickness. Had to put him through the op as they dont know if colic or GS unless operated on. I'd only had him ten months and he was my first.

In the end it wasnt a tough decision as I just knew. I saw him post op, his head hanging, grinding his teeth, still bravely fighting. I made the decision for him, not for me. There's not a minute that I dont miss him and the pain is unbearable.

I had no hope, but it sounds like you do and that's so much harder, the "what ifs". I can't advise you what to do all I can say is whatever you decide has to be for the horses benefit.

Be brave. Make a balanced decision and I wish you all the comfort in the world, because you'll need it, as do I.
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So sorry to hear this WIC xx
 
Not everyone feels that being there at the end is the right thing for them, but it does mean that you know that the end has happened, I know that might sound odd, but grief has many stages and denial is one of them, it is much easier to get stuck in that if you don't have the reality. We recently had an elderly horse pts, she was officially my 85 year old fathers horse, so we made sure he could be there if he wanted to be. He did come and he was there at the end, he now knows that she went quickly, instantly and with her mouth full, surrounded by the people she had known for over 20 years. I could not have denied either her or my father that comfort.
 
Listen to your vet. Two days after he was admitted Pinto looked absolutely bl**dy awful, and I drove away wondering if I had made the right decision, as he looked so defeated. The vet said leave it 24 hours, and in those 24 hours he did pick up marvellously, and was eating hay again.


I don't regret not having him PTS on the Sunday, as he did improve and looked so much like my Pinto by Thursday
 
Queenbee said:
Ebs had a sparkle in her eye... I could see her will to fight until the very last night. When I saw it had gone, I respected that, listen to your horse, and trust that you only have your horses best interest at heart.

Hugs and thoughts are will you xx
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My boy suddenly looked old. He was in pain. He wouldn't have made it to surgery never mind survive it so in a sense the decision was easy.
It broke my heart, but after, when I held his head in my lap he was at peace and I knew I had done the right thing.
You do it for your horse because you owe him it, not for yourself.
Be brave xxx
 
Very, very difficult situation that none of us on here can truly understand fully as we do not know your horse. I think the advice re asking vet what they would do if it was there horse is a good idea, its the tactic I use when I need an opinion that is 'off the record' if that makes sense. My horse had a problem with colic and was referred to horsepital...he did recover though at the time he looked terrible. That was 18 months ago and since then we totally altered his feed and routine and fingers crossed he has been fine since.
I think what would be worrying me with your horsey is why he keeps getting colic and is it something that could be managed if he was to recover from this bout, lots of questions that only you and your vet can decide on.
I wish both of you all the luck in the world...colic is my nightmare and you have my sympathies. Please keep us informed either way...sending vibes
 
My sisters old pony just told us......we owed it to me him after giving us so much over the years.


Its an duty to your horse to do the right thing for them when us as humans can not do it for ourselves.
 
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