I think my gelding is dying

He's still holding his own; I couldn't see him today as they're on skeleton staff but they told me he seems better in himself. Just not that interested in food. As long as he eats a bit and keeps himself going, I guess we'll learn more when the labs, etc, open up on Tuesday ... Costs are mounting too. It's not about the money of course, but I'm paying the clinic livery and nursing as the loaner is only a young girl and none of this is her fault. Insurance have said they'll cover the medical bits. Other than the winter colic he's not had a sad or sorry day for 10 years!
That's my fifth insurance excess of the year!
 
MissTyc said:
He's still holding his own; I couldn't see him today as they're on skeleton staff but they told me he seems better in himself. Just not that interested in food. As long as he eats a bit and keeps himself going, I guess we'll learn more when the labs, etc, open up on Tuesday ... Costs are mounting too. It's not about the money of course, but I'm paying the clinic livery and nursing as the loaner is only a young girl and none of this is her fault. Insurance have said they'll cover the medical bits. Other than the winter colic he's not had a sad or sorry day for 10 years!
That's my fifth insurance excess of the year!
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Sorry to hear about your horse ,when you say just not interested in food ,we had the same problem with a pony ,there is a condition called HYPERLIPAEMIA it is more common in ponies but not unheard of in horses ,in the case of one horse the condition was only diagnosed when the third blood test was taken ,as you have no diagnosis query it with your vet , might be worth bloods being tested again.
Fingers crossed for you .
 
shergar said:
Sorry to hear about your horse ,when you say just not interested in food ,we had the same problem with a pony ,there is a condition called HYPERLIPAEMIA it is more common in ponies but not unheard of in horses ,in the case of one horse the condition was only diagnosed when the third blood test was taken ,as you have no diagnosis query it with your vet , might be worth bloods being tested again.
Fingers crossed for you .
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Thanks for the tip!
Will def mention it. As you can imagine, my Google search history is veering on the ridiculous. His eye is so dull. I've never thought a horse of mine might die, before; it's always taken me by surprise. But I've never seen one look so "given up" . Just wish I knew what was wrong. IF it's a brain tumour or something I can live with it but if we lose him then find out we could have saved him ...
 
Fingers crossed for you and your boy. I hope you get better news soon or at the very least something you can make a decision on.
 
I hope the vers are able to come up with a diagnosis and treat appropriately. Liphook has a very good reputation. My vet worked there for a number of years. Sounding you and him best healing wishes.
 
meleeka said:
Is he at Liphook?
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No, he's farther East but Liphook is our referral clinic and our vets have been discussing his case with Liphook vets (I think they possibly do some of the lab tests for our clinic - anyway, they seem to know each other well). Liphook is an almost three-hour drive so while it was considered to refer him on Friday, his lack of stability and weakness means it's not a risk we can take. Off to see him in a minute. Not seeing him yesterday has oddly enough given me more hope because I can rely on the vet's clinical opinion, whereas when I last saw him I thought for sure there was no way he could make it. It's a horrible state of uncertainty. I also have to admit that I am terrified of him coming home now as I can't be there 24 / 7 watching him and tending to his every need so might have to look into clinical livery for a bit if it does indeed look like he might be able to come home after all.
 
This is a long shot but something came to mind when I reread your posts. Believe me, I'm no expert. What I know about horse illnesses could be put on a postage stamp with room to spare, but.....when I was growing up in Ireland a friend of my dad's owned racehorses. I remember him saying that Guinness was given to his horses to stimulate their appetite..i.e. gets the gastric juices going. It's not too carbonated, full of iron and vitamins and antioxidents. Just a small bottle, either neat out of your hands or mixed with a small amount of mash mixed with apple puree. Very small quantities of food at a time..even the odd slurp to get them interested. Maybe anything is worth a try at this stage. My friend in Dublin worked in a hospital many years ago that used to give certain patients sherry before their meal to stimulate their appetite. There might be something in it.
 
HE IS EATING!

Not out of the woods by any means, but he is wanting to eat. Not out oft he woods as we still don't know what's wrong. Have shared thread with my vet as lots of good ideas and by their own admission they're a bit stumped!

FINGERS CROSSED. Eating means he has a chance, I hope.
 
MissTyc said:
HE IS EATING!

Not out of the woods by any means, but he is wanting to eat. Not out oft he woods as we still don't know what's wrong. Have shared thread with my vet as lots of good ideas and by their own admission they're a bit stumped!

FINGERS CROSSED. Eating means he has a chance, I hope.
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Thats good news, fingers crossed he continues - and also to improve x
 
Vet just told me he has perked up some more. Incredible!
They're going to rerun bloods now to do comparisons? Also looking at Vitamin E and Selenium. I can't keep up!
 
Wanting to eat is the best news you can ask for! If they want to eat they want to live and they want to fight!

Equine Products make a selenium supplement among many others if he needs more long term.
 
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