depressed pony

[Icedance]

this is the best i could get as it was raining x

That isn’t a new wound, it looks like it’s been present for a while, perhaps when she got tangled in the rug. I’d personally clip off clean and get the vet to review, it oooks too old to be stitched now. Using Manuka would be fine but nothing else until it’s been seen by the vet

 

[moorhillhorses]

Im sorry to post again but I’ve noticed her age - I hacked out today on a 24 year old section D, she is sprightly and happy and full of beans, nothing like this. It’s nobody’s fault, it really isn’t, but she has had enough now

Test for Cushings

 

[Icedance]

How is your mare doing?

 

[lifewithflash]

How is your mare doing?

she's a lot happier. She's been in for over a week now with her leg and when im up I just let her roam around the yard eating the grass, she seems really happy doing this. Not quite sure if she's gained weight but I think she has a bit. her leg is almost healed, however she has mud fever on her legs which I'm going to sort out tomorrow. What I've most be focusing on is getting her happy as I think thats the most important thing and she's even been trotting around a bit as well.

 

[lifewithflash]

update
blue was doing well for a while then went down hill.
she's not eating hay anymore, slightly lame on front leg and today she was having nosebleeds from 3pm up until I left at 5:30pm.
We got the vet out and she checked her over. She said she might have a tick disease (I cant remember the name), guttural pouch (I believe she said), or cancer. we have got blood tests done just waiting for results. either way I think its time for her to be pts.

I just wanted to lets yous know how she's doing x

 

[Equi]

I’m glad you understand that it’s likely time. I hope everything goes as smooth as these things can. Don’t let the vet try and talk you into any drawn out treatments.

 

[TinseLeneHorse]

Aw, sorry to hear this. You've been a very caring owner and have done the right thing getting the vet back out. Sounds as if pts will be the kindest outcome in the circumstances. Thinking of you and your sweet pony

 

[misst]

I'm sorry it has come to this but she is lucky to have someone who cares enough to do right by her. It's rarely a wrong decision with an old horse who is not doing well. It's the last loving kindness you can give her. "hugs" to you x

 

[Kunoichi73]

Very sorry to hear this. You're doing your best for her and that's what counts.

 

[setterlover]

update
blue was doing well for a while then went down hill.
she's not eating hay anymore, slightly lame on front leg and today she was having nosebleeds from 3pm up until I left at 5:30pm.
We got the vet out and she checked her over. She said she might have a tick disease (I cant remember the name), guttural pouch (I believe she said), or cancer. we have got blood tests done just waiting for results. either way I think its time for her to be pts.

I just wanted to lets yous know how she's doing x

We had a 25 year old Arab that developed Guttural pouch mycosis he started with slight nosebleed .The vet came out by which time it was pouring she said there was a chance if it ruptured then he could bleed out so was PTS straight away.
Sorry to hear you are having problems

 

[slimjim86]

Sorry to hear things have taken this turn but we'll done on putting her needs first and being prepared to pts. There's a thread about a vet who could do with some of your sense xx

 

[Dave's Mam]

Thinking of you. Been a journey for you both.

 

[babymare]

I’m so sorry that things have taken a turn for worse but stay strong. It is such a hard decision but you putting her first and that’s the great act of love. Sending hugs x

 

[Peglo]

So sorry things have gone downhill again. It does sound like she is struggling and it is time. Thinking of you at this difficult time.

 

[CobsaGooden]

Sorry to read your sad update. You would definitely be doing the right thing by pts. Agreed with others, don’t let the vet try and get you to try lots of different things or treatments, just go with your gut x

 

[lifewithflash]

Thank you everyone! I will give an update soon of her. Ive always said id put her to sleep as soon as she started showing pain and I'm sticking by that. I've gave her around 2 months to get better and she's not and she probably never will. It is really sad but I know she deserves to be free from pain. Bless her she's the most amazing pony and she's looked after me since I was 10 , its finally my turn to do what's right for her.
I had her out yesterday with my other pony and he was stuck to her side the entire time and even when I brought her in, he stood and whinnied for her until I tied him up outside her stable and he watched while the vet checked her over. I even tried to put him back in the field as he was making lots and noise but he refused and went right back to blue.

 

[ponynutz]

Thinking of you @lifewithflash <3 X

 

[lifewithflash]

The blood tests came back and she has mild cushings, she's mildly anaemic and has inflammation in her respiratory tract. Nothing life threatening so im not to sure what to do now.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

The treatment for cushings is prascend they have a dose daily forever.

Is the inflammation an infection as they would be just antibiotics.

Anaemia is a straight forward treatment as well I think.

All that going on its no wonder she lost weight.

I think you need to speak to the vet about it all and get costs for everything and take it from there.

 

[CobsaGooden]

If she were mine, I would be treating her and seeing what happened. Id put a time limit on it though but all those things are simple fixes (although cost may be a factor for you).

 

[Fransurrey]

I would start with a Prascend trial with nutritional support for anaemia. Cushings horses do have a depleted immune system, so you may well find that treating that is enough. As above, I'd put a time limit on it. Not sure how long Prascend takes to kick in, but vet/others here will know.

 

[lifewithflash]

Yeah I think I'm going to try help her and see how she goes but just need to price everything up first.

 

[Icedance]

Yeah I think I'm going to try help her and see how she goes but just need to price everything up first.

My cushings pills are approx £1.20 a day, you normally start and retest 6/8 weeks after, there is a bit of a management change needed, low sugar starch etc, I manage mine as laminitic so soaked hay and a strip track system. If the costs are outside of your price range/control, there is nothing wrong with pts x

 

[AmyMay]

Yeah I think I'm going to try help her and see how she goes but just need to price everything up first.

I’d treat her as recommended by the vet. Give yourself a time limit for improvement (say 3 months) and go from there.

 

[Melody Grey]

Yeah I think I'm going to try help her and see how she goes but just need to price everything up

I’d treat her as recommended by the vet. Give yourself a time limit for improvement (say 3 months) and go from there.

I think this is good advice- a few months from now would give her a good chance to show improvement and will also give you time to think whether another winter and it’s associated management challenges are right for you/ fair for her.

There is absolutely no shame in deciding to let her go now though, even if that is for reasons which suit you or your situation.

 

[Zoeypxo]

Yeah I think I'm going to try help her and see how she goes but just need to price everything up first.

If you go ahead with treatment for the cushings ask for a prescription and buy the pills online yourself. Works out £33 a month for mine on 365 vet. The vets charged me £70 for 2 weeks worth before i asked for an online pescription

 

[lifewithflash]

i know i sound all over the place sorry but its looking like we are more towards pts. We sadly don’t have the money to keep looking after her and thats not fair on her. i really hoped i could help her but we really cant afford it. My mam is ringing vets monday and probably see how much everything will be and go from there x

 

[Fraggle bells rock]

It sounds like you are doing the right things.
The pony has had a good life and been very loved by yourselves.
If the treatment (that might not work) is out of your financial reach. Pts is the last dignity you can do for her. Horses live in the moment , she would thank you for letting her go. We all understand how much it will hurt you. But she will be out of pain.

Hugs for you .

 

[Equi]

She has a lot going on. There is no shame in admitting it’s not financially viable to continue. Her quality of life comes first and pts will be a part of that.

 

[misst]

Well done for looking into it all and making a sensible decision. Money is always a problem with horses - nothing is cheap and they are moneypits. As others have said there is no shame in admitting you can't afford to treat this long term. She is an older horse who is obviously loved. I am sure it will be hard for you but she will anticipate nothing and know nothing. Hugs x