GRASS SICKNESS (GS) & VETINARY CARE.

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JANICE SMITH

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It is with a heavy heart that I write this today.
As yesterday 1st November 2012 we had to have our most beloved 23 month old Gelding Euthanized.
He was born 28th November 2010 at 3.55 am and it was -9 degrees.
Hence his name Apollo Below Zero.
He seemed a little off colour so I rang the vet for advise & they came out to see him very quickly.
It was then that we were told it was suspected Grass Sickness.
We didn't know anything about it as we hadn't heard anything about it before.
Untill our very good vet Johnathon (of the Berl Equine Clinic in Stocksfield Northumberland),
explained exactly what it was.
We were very distraught at this news after that.
Well the next day Apollo went down for surgery to clear the impaction & a biopsy was taken & sent away.Result has since confirmed GS.
He was very poorly but seemed to pick up one day then down the next.
Such is the nature of the disease I suppose.
Unfortunatly on the 1st November 2012 due to the very quick decline in his health & the onset of terrible pain,the decision was made to give him some peace.
This was done with tenderness & kindness from Johnathon our vet & his very caring Nursing staff of whom we shall be forever gratefull.
So I would like to say thank you to them all for their support & Kindness.
Apollo was our Pride & Joy,Never ever was he "Just a horse to do a job"
Or "Stock" he was Part of our Family.
Apollo was a Gift from the Gods who brought Sunshine into our lives.
He taught us so much,was such a character, & will be sorely missed.
Forever in our thoughts.
Janice & Roger Smith.
 
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Condolences to you on this sad, sad loss.

I'm so glad that your vets' were able to deal with the illness so compassionately. They sound like a wonderful practice.
 
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Yes we are very lucky to have such compassionate vets & all their staff,including the reception staff are so kind & understanding.
 
So, so sad to hear this JS. It's a devastating illness. Are you in Scotland? My understanding is that it's more prevalent in youngsters and in Scotland. RIP Apollo Below Zero x
 
I lost my beautiful boy last sept to acute grass sickness and it is the most horrible thing. I too had wonderful vets but unfortunately I had to make the decision on the same day :(
All my thoughts are with you at this very difficult time.
 
Thank you so much for the lovely replies & condolences ref: Apollo.
He is such a miss & his mum is missing him too.:(
I'm grateful for the fact that she is in a nice mixed herd & not on her own.
But she does winny & look for him everytime she goes to the field.
It must be terrible for her also,I don't care what people say..horses do grieve
& miss their companions.
We collect our boys ashes this coming week & that will be hard for us too.
But he will be coming home.
We are in Cramlington Northumberland.
So it seems it is also in the North East.
I never knew Scotland was a Hot Spot for GS.:(
Ross one of our vets always reffered to Apollo as his War Horse as he'd been his vet since he was born.
He was away when the decision was made to end his suffering,
so he will be saddended by the news.
Honestly we are very lucky with our vets so I am forever grateful to them,
for the care that Apollo recieved.
It is sad to read that you too have suffered such a loss yourself.
So I understand entirely your heart ache.
Kind Regards.
Janice Smith.
 
Box_Of_Frogs said:
So, so sad to hear this JS. It's a devastating illness. Are you in Scotland? My understanding is that it's more prevalent in youngsters and in Scotland. RIP Apollo Below Zero x
Click to expand...

I think the reasons it is seen more often in Scotland is due to the Grass Sickness Fund and the work of the Dick Vet School in Edinburgh who are undertaking research on the illness.
There's a map of GB with recorded grass sickness cases which shows a higher incidence in the eastern side of Scotland and also in the Liverpool area as their vet school is also invooved with sthe study.

It is suspected that younger horses may be more at risk to the illness due to lack of exposure, however research is still unsure of the exact cause of it.

A truly, horrible illness, I only wish more horse owners were more aware of it.
See www.grasssickness.org.uk for more information.
 
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I am very sorry to hear about your boy. I mean that truthfully as I very nearly lost my mare this summer to the same. She should pull through.

Please join the facebook page, if you can, it has a wonderful group of people full of support and knowledge x
 
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