Horse is fitting after head injury- what are my chances?

Chloe-V said:
funny, isn't it? they're all out on emergency's and can't speak to the specialist!!! All of them??
I'm going to chat to my own vet again and see just what we can do about this.

Meanwhile...mare gets weaker because of arrogance and a closed mind. My own vet even suggested a drug to use and this guy said he'd never heard of it. Well, surely you'd go and find out, wouldn't you?

sorry for the rant folks. You've all been very supportive and we do appreciate it. it's so frustrating as we're running out of time I feel.
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Yep, dealt with vets like this before, utterly disgusting, you are all in my thoughts!
 
Nothing more to add to all the other well wishers.

However please make sure you are both keeping notes/records of your conversations with the vet.

Up until recently I had been very lucky with the various practices I have used over the years. But changing location meant using a different practice who turned out to be fairly incompetent and arrogant. It is possible to make a complaint but you will need good evidence. But arrogance for the sake of it has no place I'm veterinary medicine IMHO.

Wishing you all the very best x
 
A couple of names came up on neurologist search: Richard Piercy at the RVC and Caroline Hahn at Edinburgh

and Shaun McKane who is at cotts in Wales now (used to be at liverpool), where is the horse atm? I think Liverpool and AHT also do a fair amount of neurology.
 
Get on the phone yourself to the specialists, bypassing these vets seems like the only option. I think its appalling the vets are behaving this way.
 
stencilface said:
Get on the phone yourself to the specialists, bypassing these vets seems like the only option. I think its appalling the vets are behaving this way.
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I agree with this as well get another vet who knows about this kind of thing, a friend of mine years ago had a problem with one of her horses and was offered a drug not licensed in this country but her vet wanted to try it, she just signed a disclaimer form and the drug worked and he got better so that vet basically took a chance and saved his life.
 
Nothing useful to add I'm afraid but just wanted to say that if good wishes could make her better then you've certainly got lots from everyone here!
I really hope you can get some help from other vets so that she is as comfortable as she can be whilst you give her head a chance to heal. Whatever the outcome, no one could have done more for their horse than you have...
 
Phone The Royal Dick and try to speak to someone there, otherwise could Mum's vet speak to them on your behalf, even if they can't refer? Something needs to be done and the current vets are not stepping up to the plate. Huge hugs to you both, I can't imagine how stressful this is x
 
So sorry to hear that the vet's are not behaving in the manner you would expect, dire and unprofessional IMO. I do wonder if the reception staff are fobbing you off with the comment about how busy the vets are, it does happen, to the point where an acquaintance of mine will not speak to the reception staff at the practice she uses and has the mobile numbers of the two vets she will tollerate from the practice!
Would it be possible for the OP's Mum to speak to the senior vet at her daughters practice? I find that there tends to be a different respons to an older and more experienced voice :p Over the years we have had a few dealings with young and arrogant vets (including a recent one terrified of the Rottie, who tried to explain to me what inflamation was! Had that been an emergency she would have had very short shrift). Remember you are the customer and can request which vet from the practice that you choose.
 
Can't get through directly to specialist so speaking to my vets to see if they can intervene. Failing that, see if they can try to find a different vet practice nearer my daughter with more experience/willing to take a risk in this field.
The horse is near Aberdeen and I'm in North Wales.

We've tried everything we can think of to temp her to eat but to no avail. If we remove the pain she can chew, if we don't, she can't.

My own vets have done transfusions etc etc here at home for me in the past when it's been needed. They're also prepared to try new drugs if I sign a disclaimer.
When I asked the Scottish vet last night his answer was 'oh no, she must be hospitalised for that'. erm.....
I did speak to a more senior vet at my daughters practice last night, out of hours, but it was a good case of closing ranks! he was very respectful to me though...more than can be said for the way my daughters been spoken to.

My own guys are excellent and I'm so lucky to have them and have such a good relationship with them.
It's so hard to find the right vet practice for you, or good farrier even when you move area, isn't it?
 
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I am really sorry that this is all being compounded. I am somewhat taken aback by this practise. I am with a large specialist equine vet. However, they take the view that they are GP's and will refer to a consultant when they feel they need to.

As your own practise is not playing ball now, I would call in another. Perhaps your mums vets could make a recommendation? or put a call into the most senior partner explaining why you are not happy and want them to address this now.
 
Chloe-V.
May I suggest that if you cant get your vet up to aberdeen then is there any way at all of getting the horse even part way down towards your vet.
I know you said she is not in a condition to travel but if she has stopped fitting then I would be loading her up and getting her on her way ASAP. I'm sure that a good number of HHO members between aberdeen and north wales would be more than willing to be staging point on the journey and I know if you do not have a stable available in north wales my mum currently has 2 empty ones (colwyn bay area) that she would be more then happy to lend you!
The longer she is left the weaker she will get.
 
not a lot more that you can do other than get a specialist to call her vets :( could you email her vet and ask for them to put in writing their reasons for witholding pain management and also treatment that has been advised by a specialist. that way you have something in writing so that you can then thank them for it and say that if they do not give her pain killing drugs you will sue them if things deteriorate? its clutching at straws but there is a chance that they may do something. other than that is there any way a specialist will go out to her or would a different vet attend and give her pain killers?
 
Not always the case, many have first opinion practices attached (Edinburgh certainly does although the OP will be out of area it is possible she could take the mare as a first opinion case with looking at referral), or the OP gets another local vet on board and ask them to refer her- which I don't think is unlikely given her condition. I would do either of those before travelling her far.
 
Agree with asking for the reason for the current "treatment" regime in writing, it's amazing how that can concentrate the mind of the person making the decison! It would also be useful when discussing the case with other professionals, as they can also see what the rationale is for the current situation.
 
an update folks....
A different vet from her practice has now rung and promised to speak to Edinburgh this afternoon and do whatever, and give the horse whatever the specialist says. About time!!
Then she'll visit again.

My own vet was just collecting info and about to ring them to intervene. The mare needs to be pain free and comfortable, whatever happens next.

Just looked up Loch Leven equine vets, thank you AmyMay.
 
Update:
After chasing them all day, and getting absolutely fuming, they finally got my regular vet to call me.

She is happy to seek a second opinion from a specialist in Edinburgh (John keen??) and will be out to the horse at 6.30 tonight. She agrees we need to do something.

My horse WILL have pain relief tonight. If I have to register with all the practices in the area and get them out, I refuse to lose my horse because of some ar*seholes ego.

I shouldnt have to protect my horse from the vet, of all people

Hopefully my usual one will help. She sounded like she will.
 
Have been following, and commented way back, but jut updated on this thread and am appalled.

As I understand it you CAN ask for a second opinion by right, and the second vet can be of your choice. If it is not sorted out this afternoon I would not use this practice for the second opinion. If possible I would use the Vet Hosp, travel there if you can, and see the specialists. If not possible I would use another local vet who will refer on.

What an awful situation.

I wish you and your mare well. X
 
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