How many bute a day is acceptable? - Am I being selfish?

Agree about the bute/danilon. My big horse has had 6 sachets a day in the past. All depends on size of horse. And agreed, it's all about quality of life.
 
My wonderful sec D, injured his hock last summer, he also had ringbone, He hated vets, was terrified of being shut in the lorry, so, as he was elderly, didn't want to put him through the upset of getting a true diagnosis, just wanted to manage the pain. It took 5 bute for him to be able to put his head down to eat. A few weeks box rest followed, then restricted turn out and tried to reduce the bute. After 2 days on 3, 1 with each 'meal', he couldn't manage and definately told me he'd had enough of pain. Spoke to my vet and made arrangements for him to have 10 days of enough pain relief to feel like a 5 year old so that I had chance to arrange for him to be shot (he was buried in his paddock so no injection) and got the hole dug.
Very, very bittersweet, on his last morning he was galloping about like a young colt, bronking and play fighting with his (almost as elderly) fieldmate. But, I knew it was only an extremely high dosage of drugs that made him like that. When it was 'time', we tried to get his fieldmate away, but he wouldn't leave not even for a bucket of food but my old Ted walked with me to the side of his hole, stood and requested a mint...........the mint was still in his mouth as he went down.
I'm glad my last memories of him are seeing him frolicking and playing, knowing he would never again feel any form of pain (he'd had a tough time before I got him and had only just dodged the bullet) and he was staying in the place where he'd been the happiest he'd been for many years.
When it's time, they will tell you although it's very, very difficult to hear.
 
its a harsh decision, and never an easy one- but i would be putting to sleep.

i could not stand to see any of my animals hobbling through life just so that they were still there. tego is well into her late 30's early 40's now, and touch wood is sound. i know that her time will be coming soon, and although it will break my heart i'd rather send her off to horsey heaven than keep her going on painkillers and anti-inflamatories. i feel i owe her at least that much. ;)

i fell for you as this must be a heartbreaking decision for you to make. i can say right now i would be saying goodbye- but nobody can make that descision for you.

good luck with which ever way you chose to go. ;)

x
 
I used to be an equine vet nurse and have seen many owners have to go through what you are going through now, all I can say is that you will know when the day is right, and you have to learn to listen to your gut instinct. It will always be a painful decision, but if you leave it too late, then it will be even worse, big hugs for you through your difficult times xx
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top