Eye removal or pts

Pipkin

Pipkin

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My mares uveitis has got to the point where the eye needs to be removed, that's fine she could cope with one eye, only issue is all this is down to ehv-1, since being diagnosed in dec she's had problem after problem. She also has lymphangitis due to mud fever which is becuase of her battered immune system. She's only 6 and I don't know how she'll cope as a field ornament, she will never be ridden again because of her legs and neuro issues. She has the most amazing tempermeant and is my horse of a lifetime. I have my mind set at pts, stress of the op could trigger the herpes again and that she will not cope with.
Will be going over options again withvet in morning, just after some advice . :)
 
:) my mind is stuck on pts but am getting grief for not trying, i've tried for the last 4 months to get her back to herself.
 
You dont have to answer to anyone Pipkin. I'm with you, pts to sleep and rest easy you have made the right decision. Bless you and bigs hugs :)
 
i would pts
Im not involved so its easier to say that, but it sounds like if she gets through the op something else will come up and she wont have a quality of life.
 
Poor girl she has been having a rough time :-( as a person not emotionally involved my first instinct is pts because there are a number of factors not just the uveitis but I really don't know what I would do if it were me. Sorry to hear it and I hope you make peace with what you decide.
 
I have to say that I agree with amymay. At such a young age your girl has had a lot to deal with and you have too. I think that option may be the kindest for both of you; unless you have your own land and are able to keep her as a 'field ornament' (as you put it) and look after her until the time comes. It is never an easy decision. Just make the right one for both of you x
 
I hate people getting grief for facing up to a valid, humane and sensible option! Uveitis is horrible so looking for a solution to get her pain free asap is necessary, if she can't have the op then I don't see how many options you have :-(
 
I think on paper I'd probably say PTS, but it's not that simple when they are your own.
My thoughts would be : putting her through the op may cause a problem. If she comes through it all ok, what do the next 20 years hold for her? Can you afford to keep her to the end of her life, and are you in a situation where that will still allow *you* to enjoy horses - i know it sounds selfish, but if in 3 years time she is going to need a home as a companion to allow you time / finances for a riding horse, it might well be kinder to PTS, rather than putting her (and you) through the stress (and expense) of an op. the lymphangitis would concern me aswell, but obviously that depends on the expected prognosis.

I don't hold with the theory that everyone who owns a horse can only enjoy it if they ride it, but if that is an essential part of horse ownership for you, she could potentially end up in a muddle?

Good luck with whatever you decide :)
 
Pipkin said:
:) my mind is stuck on pts but am getting grief for not trying, i've tried for the last 4 months to get her back to herself.
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Sometimes the kindest thing is to decide that enough is enough. I think in your position i'd pts, not because horses can't cope with one eye- they can but because of the risk of the op reactivating the herpes virus.
 
She is kept at home, if it was just eye removal to deal with it wouldn't be an issue. We don't know what's around the corner, I don't think I can see her pottering around the field for the rest of her life, it's not fair on her. I think i've answered my own question. Thanks guys.
 
Norfolk pie, I have another 5 to ride, but this is my number 1, she got my trust back in horses and helped me love them again, I think I owe it to her to give her the right send off whilst she is still a little happy. This is going to break her best friends heart. Life sucks at times
 
Pipkin, I'm so sorry to read your post. My daughters horse had that wicked disease, and regardless of the very regular medication, the special mask etc, he was in pain. She found him dead in the field one lunchtime, he'd died of a heart attack. She hadn't had the eye removed, and the vet said it would probably appear in the other eye eventually, so his passing so suddenly was really a blessing (for him). I think you've made your decision now anyway, but life can be so cruel at times, 6 is no age for heavens sake... keep strong for her...
 
Pipkin said:
:) my mind is stuck on pts but am getting grief for not trying, i've tried for the last 4 months to get her back to herself.
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No one should be giving you grief, its a hard enough decision without people bending your ear over it. I know how hard youve tried, youve done your best, people should respect that & respect your decision.
 
Something I have done myself for my own horse and advised others to do is a benefits list.

It seems from what you say that it could really benefit you.

Draw two columns on a piece of paper. One titled "PTS" one titled, "keep trying"

Fill in the columns writing down what will happen. Always the same things go in the PTS column. They are, including but not limited to:-)

End of pain for horse
End of stress for horse
Losing your four legged baby...etc.

Things that would go in the keep trying column could be, but are not limited to:-)

Continued pain
Continued stressful treatment(s)
Possibility of side effects
Possibility of recurrence of other painful/stressful issue
Financial impact
Time impact of changing routines to accommodate additional care
Emotional impact of continued treatment(s)
Still having your four legged baby in your life.

The reason I call this a benefits list is that in all the decisions we make regarding our animals, we have to put what is best for them first and it really strikes me that you are desperate to make sure you do the best for your baby.

Write it all down, then find the benefits in each column. The benefits for your horse.

When it is there in front of you in black and white, it is often extremely clear what is going to be best for the horse.

It also helps you to focus on doing good for your horse, not thinking about the bad stuff.


I know what i would do based on what you have said, but it is a decision only you can make.

You have my full support in whatever you decide to do and i wish you the very best.

Remember as well, you do not need to justify your decision to anyone.

Good luck and I am so sorry you are in this position.

X
 
So sorry to read about your special mare, but have to agree with others, your horse, your decision.

You have come to terms with what is a compassionate and caring decision in the best interests of your mare, dont let others pressure you otherwise.
 
When you've watched a much loved pet struggle to live for so long, and fought so hard to do everything to keep them with you, there comes a time, where you reach a crossroad. You've reached that crossroad, where you go from here, only your little mare can tell you.
To be fair, you want what's best for her, and with her health so poor, then this with her eye, she sounds as though, no, she couldn't cope with anymore treatment. At such a young age too :( sort of makes it the decider doesn't it?
Hugs for you and your little mare, i'll be thinking of you both tomo xx
Sorry, it's late, my usual ramblings have already gone to bed.
 
I guess for me it would depend on what I felt the long-term prognosis was going to be with the various other issues she had and I suppose, for me to ensure i was doing the right thing I'd want to discuss it with a vet I trusted to give me their opinion. I don't know anything about EHV or whether an op would trigger it again. I did think that eye removal could be done under sedation/local anaesthetic though as opposed to having to put the horse through the trauma on GA.

Me being me, I think I'd find it harder being that she's so young but I don't know your horse, only you do and if the feeling is she's always going to be suffering with one thing after another, should this really be prolonged.

Whatever you decide, I hope it all goes smoothly for you.
 
My instant reaction to your title was remove but on reading I'd have to agree and say pts. As for people making you feel guilty that's so wrong. I was made to feel awful for considering putting my suddenly retired horse to sleep so I've kept him but its hard work and I never feel like I have the right time/money and worry about him being bored constantly. In your case however I do think her health justifies it perfectly.
Massive hugs its such a hard thing to do but I do think its the correct thing to do xx
 
Oh hunny.

I've just been where you are - put to sleep or keep trying.

The keep trying would have been for me. I had my beloved horse put to sleep on Sunday. It was the right thing for her.

Going by what you've said, if I were in your place I would give your horse a time of pampering and whatever is her favourite treats, have family and good friends to support you, and call the vet.
 
It sounds like you've made up your mind what's the best long term solution for your horse, but why not contact BHS Friends At The End.

They have a team of trained counsellors who will talk you through things, and they can be with you when the time comes (and even be there for you if you can't face being with her without judging you - sometimes the owner's grief puts unnecessary stress on the horse).

friendsattheend@bhs.org.uk

My thoughts are with you xxx
 
Hugs to you

Ignore what other people are saying about it negatively and go with you gut instintinct. Its rarely wrong in this sort of thing.
 
I think its the age thing. If your horse was old it probably would be easier? But as they are young that can make it doubly hard.

So take the age out of it. With animals you have to remove the age and do what is genuinely in your horses best interests.

What would you do then in your heart? Being utterly realistic. Forget whats happened in the past what does the future hold for your horse realistically. Is it going to come back, is it going to be distressing every time etc etc.Can your horse cope with this every time or without an eye etc etc.

I hope you find some common ground with your vet but you have to decide whats for the best. I dont envy your hard decision but its sometimes these kind of hard decisions we have to make for our animals. Am sure it will be the right one.
 
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