Colic surgery - 2nd surgery or not

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Shetlandmad445

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Hi

I’m hoping some of you could offer me some advice, I’m so distraught I don’t know what to do for my amazing boy.

He is 25 and yesterday got admitted for emergency surgery as he had a strangulated lipoma, I last checked him 6pm and found him at 5:30am and he was in surgery by 8am but due to the length of time he had to have 20ft gut removed.
He is not doing well at all today, his gut is not moving his heart rate is sky high and he colicked in the night.

the vets have advised I need to make a decision as to whether to put him through a second surgery to have the bowel attached to the intestine, they have said they are concerned he’s absorbed a high level of toxins from the dead gut. I asked the vet what I should do and she said that some have a second surgery and recover and some have a second surgery and don’t and that his chance of complications and infections are 80% with 18 month recovery. She said the odds are stacked against him.

I need to decide this morning what I’m going to do, my heart wants me to do everything for him but my brain is telling me that he’s had a healthy happy life and if I put him through surgery again is he going to be in pain and miserable and have no quality of life with infections and pain. There’s also a high chance the surgery won’t fix the problem and the damage is already done. I want to do what is right for him, I can’t even cope with the thought of loosing him but I’d never forgive myself if I put him through all this and he was in pain and suffering and have to be put to sleep anyway.

I feel so guilty I didn’t find him earlier as if I had the gut damage may not have been as bad.

I’d be grateful if anybody has gone through this they could let me know.
 
So sorry you are going through this. A while ago I lost my 26 year old to colic and afterwards did a lot of second guessing about whether I should have gone for the surgery option. Having looked into it, the rates of recovery in old horses is really not great and the recovery would be hard so I think although its difficult, it would be better to let him go rather than put him through it.
 
When my 23yr old and much loved homebred mare had colic I was asked if she was a candidate for surgery. I didn't even need to think, said a flat 'no'. Having seen colic ops on TV and what they have to do to them I would not put a horse through it.
Poor boy has suffered enough already, I would let him go.
 
Thank you all so much you have made me feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, I know deep down not going for more surgery is the right thing . I can go and be with him and give him a big cuddle and be with him. I think what makes it so hard is I had another one of my boys have the exact same colic in April and he’s 21 and he’s done absolutely amazing and thriving and I had that silly niggle that maybe my boy would be the same but I know he’s not in the same boat, his welfare and happiness is all that matters. I’ve had him for 22 years and I just can’t imagine my life without him in it
 
I really feel for you. I just hope that if ever my oldie gets colic (god forbid) I’ll have the courage to say no to an operation. Hugs x
 
So sorry you are in this position, I'm another who would not put him through any more - it's all our worst nightmare and I have every sympathy for you.
 
Thank you all so much I feel absolutely devastated but also much more certain that my decision to pre is the right thing for him. It’s been one of those horrendous weeks where I just don’t know what to do for the best, my dads in hospital and my little brother just been diagnosed with aggressive cancer so my boy was my escape from it all seeing him literally has got me through the last few days and the thought of loosing him as well ? thank you so much for all your kindness and understanding you honestly have helped me so much to know I’m doing the right thing x
 
Shetlandmad445 said:
Thank you all so much I feel absolutely devastated but also much more certain that my decision to pre is the right thing for him. It’s been one of those horrendous weeks where I just don’t know what to do for the best, my dads in hospital and my little brother just been diagnosed with aggressive cancer so my boy was my escape from it all seeing him literally has got me through the last few days and the thought of loosing him as well ? thank you so much for all your kindness and understanding you honestly have helped me so much to know I’m doing the right thing x
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I'm sorry to hear you're going through so much at the moment. I hope you managed to say a peaceful good bye to him. The last kindness we can do is to let them go with love. Hugs
 
Your post has made me cry, nearly 3 years ago I was in that position with BB he was on 12 so no doubt in my mind he would have had surgery if he needed it. At 25 and having been through one surgery I probably would say no as much as it would break my heart. You sound like you both have had a wonderful life together so many happy memories to hang onto. It really brings home how much we all love our animals when your faced with these decisions. Stay strong! Hugs ♥️
 
I am so sorry you are in such a heartbreaking turmoil.

FWIW, my old boy was in his mid 20's when he colicked. I was offered surgery, but due to his age, the journey involved to get to horspital, the recovery and a very high chance of it re-occurring / being unsuccessful, I decided to let him go. It absolutely broke my heart, but I knew it was the right thing to do for him.

Life has a habit of throwing every piece of c**p at us all in one go - but we are all here for you. X

<<Hugs>>
 
I am so sorry, I could have written this. My beloved Carlo did much the same. Colicked over night and by the time I found him and got him too the vets, there was 20 ft of gut to remove. The vets kept him going for 36 hours but no improvement. So we called time. It was such a hard decision, but definitely the right one. I hope the sadness eases soon and you are left with many happy memories. I often imagine my way round those hunter trail courses that Carlo and I did together, but now we always get a clear round!! Hugs from me
 
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