Donating horse to science

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Barklands

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We have had some very sad news this morning that my mare's prognosis has suddenly declined to very poor. She has been suffering from laminitis which is so far unexplained, every test has come back normal and she was not particularly overweight, so we are pretty stumped as to the cause. She has not responded to change is management such as soaked hay, box rest, feeding etc.

We are now looking at organising for her to be PTS and weighing up options. I will be speaking to the vet to confirm our decision regarding ending treatment later in the week and awaiting one final lab result but wanted to know if anyone else had explored the option of or sent a horse to a vet / veterinary college for research? Her case is so strange, we have absolutely no idea about the cause and feel it could be helpful in understanding the triggers for laminitis in horses who are not typically prone. At least we could feel like there would be some benefit of losing such a lovely, young otherwise fit horse.

I will of course ask the vet that has been overseeing her case if she has any experience of sending for research but just wanted to get thoughts.
 
Are you near one of the vet teaching universities? They are the best place to ask. Many years ago a fellow livery had a horse with what I would suspect was degenerative ligament disease and she said her goodbyes at the university so he could be used for research.

I would say though that it did hit her hard walking away and leaving him there even though he was in very sensitive hands so think about the practical side too.

Sorry you're in this position - laminitis is awful
 
SEL said:
Are you near one of the vet teaching universities? They are the best place to ask. Many years ago a fellow livery had a horse with what I would suspect was degenerative ligament disease and she said her goodbyes at the university so he could be used for research.

I would say though that it did hit her hard walking away and leaving him there even though he was in very sensitive hands so think about the practical side too.

Sorry you're in this position - laminitis is awful
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I think our closest is Edinburgh which is two hours away. We would want her to be PTS at home particularly as she is not really in a fit state to travel. Therefore, it would be a question of logistically how to get her there and the costs involved in that
 
I'm really sorry about your mare, that's a tough break.
Not exactly horsey, but my FiL wanted his body donated when he died. He thought a bit of himself and his preference was Cambridge University Medical School. Unfortunately, he died in the May - the end of term - and Cambridge couldn't take him as the school was closing for the summer. Then there were a lot of very dark phone calls for my husband in the days after the death, involving cold calling universities to persuade them to take on his dead father whilst the tissues were "still viable". Apparently you only have a few days.Then a vehicle with cold storage was needed to transfer him from the hospital morgue to Nottingham University. (The usual NHS bueocracy delayed him being released for 24hours just to add to the stress)

All in all, quite a task, but logistically maybe easier/ smaller than a horse? At least with PTS you will have the opportunity to plan beforehand unlike my poor husband.

It's a dark task, but hopefully will benefit others in the future. All the best.
 
Think you will struggle getting her there. My horse passed away at the Glasgow vet school and I let them use him for teaching on the post mort. It meant I saved on the disposal costs and they I took a lock of his hair.
 
I knew of one donated to Dick Vet in Edinburgh but he had to be transported there and PTS on site. He had a major tendon issue but was fine to trailer with painkillers on board.

Sorry to hear about your news, it’s a crappy disease 😢
 
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