DirectorFury
Well-Known Member
Arrived at yard this morning, found my 5yo Sec D mare colicing. She'd only passed 5 poos in the night (6pm-8am) and had clearly been rolling/pacing by the state of her stable. Also hadn't eaten much or drunk anywhere near her normal amount.
Vet was phoned and came out straight away. Checked vitals and said all was good, though her guts were working overtime. Diagnosed spasmodic colic and administered buscopan and an anti-inflammatory painkiller, both IV. Walked her for about 30 minutes and gut sounds were going back to normal on one side but not the other. Given more buscopan and walked for a further 20 minutes, at which point all gut sounds were normal and horse had perked up and was feeling better. Vet left yard at 10am with instructions to not give horse anything to eat for a few hours.
Horse was checked on every 15 minutes for the first 2 hours, and then every 30 minutes for the next 2 hours. All seemed OK so was given a small haynet at 2:30pm. At next check (3pm) horse was clearly in distress again and was COVERED in hives. After finally managing to get hold of vet (long story) she appeared at 4pm. Horse had passed 3 v small poos from 10am to 4pm. She phoned the nearest equine hospital to get their opinion - they wanted her sent to them straight away.
Much faffing (on the vets behalf - including disappearing for an hour with no explanation!!) later and horse is loaded at 6pm, arrive at equine hospital 7:30pm. She's checked over and all seems fine apart from obvious colic. No impaction/twisting apparent. She's been left there for observation overnight.
I discussed colic surgery with the head vet. I was completely against it as I don't think it's fair but was pushed to consider 'basic' surgery. Eventually agreed as long as there is no resectioning or something 'big' has to happen. Currently no surgery will take place but that might change in the night. I'm now having 2nd thoughts about agreeing to the surgery, especially seeing how many people wouldn't put their horses through it . Am I being selfish? I want to give the horse a chance (she's young, good chance of recovery, etc) but don't want to compromise her quality of life because I'm too attached to let her go. She really is my heart horse.
Help me please?
Vet was phoned and came out straight away. Checked vitals and said all was good, though her guts were working overtime. Diagnosed spasmodic colic and administered buscopan and an anti-inflammatory painkiller, both IV. Walked her for about 30 minutes and gut sounds were going back to normal on one side but not the other. Given more buscopan and walked for a further 20 minutes, at which point all gut sounds were normal and horse had perked up and was feeling better. Vet left yard at 10am with instructions to not give horse anything to eat for a few hours.
Horse was checked on every 15 minutes for the first 2 hours, and then every 30 minutes for the next 2 hours. All seemed OK so was given a small haynet at 2:30pm. At next check (3pm) horse was clearly in distress again and was COVERED in hives. After finally managing to get hold of vet (long story) she appeared at 4pm. Horse had passed 3 v small poos from 10am to 4pm. She phoned the nearest equine hospital to get their opinion - they wanted her sent to them straight away.
Much faffing (on the vets behalf - including disappearing for an hour with no explanation!!) later and horse is loaded at 6pm, arrive at equine hospital 7:30pm. She's checked over and all seems fine apart from obvious colic. No impaction/twisting apparent. She's been left there for observation overnight.
I discussed colic surgery with the head vet. I was completely against it as I don't think it's fair but was pushed to consider 'basic' surgery. Eventually agreed as long as there is no resectioning or something 'big' has to happen. Currently no surgery will take place but that might change in the night. I'm now having 2nd thoughts about agreeing to the surgery, especially seeing how many people wouldn't put their horses through it . Am I being selfish? I want to give the horse a chance (she's young, good chance of recovery, etc) but don't want to compromise her quality of life because I'm too attached to let her go. She really is my heart horse.
Help me please?