Grace has just come out of colic surgery

She has come through the surgery in one piece which is excellent as when Higgs underwent his they said only 70% make it through the surgery. Fingers crossed they find out what is causing this gassy build up soon. We're all keeping everything crossed for Grace. Crying is a way of releasing tension and frustration, if you need to cry do. xxx
 
oh becki me and tonks have everything crossed for you...i'm sure she'll be fine she's made of strong stuff! keep your chin up hun we're all rooting for you both xxx
 
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oh no
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keep fighting grace!
xxx

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Absolutely xxx
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What a dreadful turn of events for you and Grace Becki.

I can't even begin to explain how shocked I am to hear this latest update. Poor, poor Grace.

Here's hoping she can turn a corner and get herself on the road to recovery. She's certainly been through the mill.

You have a good cry, I think anyone would in your shoes. You've been through so much with her recently. Huge hugs to you and healing vibes for Grace.

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Couldn't have put it better, good luck to both of you
 
Oh crumbs Becki, what a horrid time you are having. Poor Grace; I hope they find out what is wrong and have her back on the mend as soon as possible.

Tia x
 
One of my girls had very similar to this in the spring...she too had colic surgery...after loose droppings....she too had colon problems...but a partial impaction due to a possible gut wall blood clot. They biopsied her for grass sickness too (negative)
They gave her 50:50 chances of surviving...and she's still here...nine months later, normal weight and happy...
If you want to ask any practical post-colic-op management stuff....you know where I am.
I hope Grace does as well as my girl.
S
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Oh poor you, it must be awful.
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I am so glad that the surgery didn't reveal anything dreadful though, and hopefully they can treat her appropriately now they have more idea of what they are dealing with.
 
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Thanks S... If you don't mind I will PM you if she pulls through the next 48 hours so some post-colic advice.

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Just to prepare you, if you go to see her tomorrow, she may look dreadful - mine couldn't even move her head to see me...was covered in dried sweat and looked thoroughly miserable.
The vet warned me that my girl would be very depressed for the two days following surgery...but would perk up on the third day. And they were right; she was pretty much smiley and back to normal....except for the belly bandage
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So don't worry too much....fingers crossed for you...
S
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ETS - Below represent my thoughts, I certainly don't want you to think you made the wrong decision to go to surgery. Having a sick horse is tough, but the cost of surgery and all your horse got out of it was a fart, I would be asking questions.

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Can I asked what prompted them from a medical treatment to a surgical one? It better be a very good reason or I personally would be very unhappy! It solved nothing, you have a very sick horse who now ontop of being sick has to recovery from surgery. Out of all the colic surgeries I have seen 95% of them were diagnosed as a surgical problem before doing surgery, and the only time it turned out to be unnecesary it was done for free.

It is an awfully tough balancing act - I know you want to do everything for your horse, but I would certainly be asking questions about what prompted them to make that recommendation. If she was throwing herself on the floor fine, but if she was very similar as before I would be thinking they recommended it to ensure it did not interupt their dinner plans.

I have seen many colic surgeries - do feel free to ask any questions about her recovery.
 
I know why they did recommend it... She perked up over night, but this morning was very depressed again, and lying flat out. She has never actually thrown herself around, but has always been uncomfortable.

The final thing that made them operate was the fact that when they examined her rectally in the morning they could still feel the distended small colon at the tip of their fingers. However, by 1pm she was flat out so they got her up and did another rectal to find they could only get their arm in up to their elbow because the small colon had distended so much. That was enough for them, and certainly enough for me, to consider surgery.

They have also taken a biopsy of the intestine to test for grass sickness unfortunately...
 
That sounds fair - certainly an expensive way to pass gas, but she will not be the first to have a surgical assisted fart. It is just a pity that it did not provide more answers/soltuions.
 
I agree... I am not good without answers, I would rather someone just told me exactly what is causing it. However, the surgery allowed them to see that everything was where it should be, take the biopsy (which I am dreading the results of) and they can now give her some more pain relief knowing that nothing is twisted etc.
 
OMGG!!! Becki!! Huge huggles to you!!!! I had no idea she was poorly!! Sending loads and loads of healing vibes her way!!!!
 
Good vibes on their way, at least she is still alive and fighting, which counts for a huge amount towards recovery.
I know of quite a few horses who've had similar surgery and survived, and provided the biopsy doesn't show anything horrible such as thickening of the gut wall or grass sickness (doesn't sound like that to me) she should start to recover.
Don't expect too much tomorrow, she'll be like any human, feeling pants and exhausted by the trauma of it all.
I am praying things improve, ,I've been in your position so many times this year, and it's a very unhappy situation to be in. You can't do anymore than wait and see which in a way is even worse, it's terrible feeling so helpless yourself.
Try not to worry , it's out of your hands now, and they are some of the best surgeons in the horse world.
 
GTS it's very obvious you know b*** all about the facility Grace has been taken to, they would not repeat not, do unecessary surgery, it's one of the top University
Large Animal hospitals in the UK, I should know , I spent 30 odd years involved with horses just a few miles from there, and had quite a few of my own and employers' horses treated there over that time.
With the best will in the world, questioning their motives is not what Becki needs to hear right now is it?
Especially when you are talking from thousands' of miles away. Grrrr....
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Hi Becki -
Been following Grace's progress and am so sorry to read this tonight - I've got everything crossed for a speedy recovery - you must be so worried about her - Let's hope that Leahurst find the solution for you both.
Kate x
 
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