How do you decide when is the right time to PTS??

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diamondrockharvey

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I was hoping for some advice,
Please be gentle as I am sensitive at the moment!

My 29 year old pony had a mini stroke 2 weeks ago, the stroke left him very stiff on the left side of his body so he is hobbling around a bit although still somehow manages to canter down the field for his breakfast and then this Sunday he suffered choke, and it was pretty nasty and very distressing. The vet thinks he could have a slight paralysis of the throat due to the stroke. His teeth are very loose and he has only around 40% vision due to cataracts.

Despite this his coat is shiny and he is a good weight and seems happy in himself.

I am concerned coming into the winter how he will fair. And am now constantly worried he could have another mini stroke or episode of choke when I am not around.

What would you do??

Thanks for reading.
 
I think you know your horse better than anybody else and you will know. To be fair the 3 I have had pts were ill and the choice was taken out of my hands. Look at his quality of life and take it from there. Noone can tell you what to do, it has to be your decision. Maybe have a chat with your vet and see what they advise.
Always tough, I know what you are going through.
 
The advice I have always been given is better a month too early than a day too late.

For you it will be hard, but your pony will not suffer. He will go peacefully and with his dignity intact while he still has quality of life.
It is a very hard decision to make, but you will know when the time is right. I am really sorry xx
 
I don't know - it's a tough one - but whatever you decide will be right. There's no way to know that he won't be fine all winter at the same time there's no way to know that he won't suffer an attack of some sort and you'll feel bad.

My friend had a similar dilemma a few years ago - her horse's health was declining but he still looked and felt well. But we were heading into winter and he'd lived out for the last few winters (and we had no stables). She made the very difficult decision to let him go while he was still feeling well and happy rather than watch him get worse over the winter and have the decision forced on her one day.
She said it broke her heart when she took his rug off the day he was due to be PTS and he danced around all full of beans looking fantastic. But she knew he wasn't healthy on the inside and even though it hurt her at the time to see him looking so well hours before he went, that's how she remembers him...not lying in the mud in agony in the freezing cold.

xxx
 
I am so sorry, I know this must be hard for you, but if he were mine he would not be going into the winter. He is obviously loved and cared for, and I (and many others) will say, better a week too early than a day too late. I just think better now, than in an emergency. Better you remember him looking as good as he does now, than suffering, as he might if he has another stroke, or choke. (((( HUGS ))))
 
A wise person once told me that once you start to think about it, then you're already looking at sooner rather than later.

If the pony is well in himself, it's just a question of making peace with your decision. But I would always say that there is no such thing as a day too soon ... but I have seen the tragedy of a day too late. Often you simply *know*. You look at them and there's something in their gaze that tells you it's time to stop fighting. And when that day comes, then it will not only be peaceful, but through the tears there will also be relief that you did the right thing and that you don't have to worry about it any more.

(hugs hugs) ... It's not easy and even now I cry when I think about old horses I've lost over the years. But not one of them was allowed to suffer and I know they would thank me for it, even if some humans seem to think that everything can always be saved.
 
I personally think that if he has had a stroke he is likely to have another and maybe left in field/stable all night with out any care. I would call it a day now.

I really feel for you, such a hard decision. Better too soon than too late.

Jane (Hugs)
 
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