I'm at my wit's end

What an emotional rollercoaster day. I am exhausted and don't really feel that we've got any closer to the cause. The next 72 hours is critical. They have taken bits of the thickened bowel wall and sent it to pathology to see what the infection actually is. If they know that they can then treat it with the right medication. They say that her bowel is moving but very slow and this could be due to the infection or there are parts of her bowel where the nerves are dead and it is paralysed. It that's the case then that is the end
I am hoping that it is the infection that is causing the slow movement.
Ruby is a real fighter. After the op they said it would take berween 1-2 hours for her to come round and be up on her feet. She shocked them all - she was on her feet within 30 mins:eek: My girl has real fighting spirit. :D Just this alone is enough to convince people that she wants to live.
When they let us see her, she was very happy to see us and greeted us with a very loud neigh.:D
By the time we left she was drinking and peeing and she even pooped a bit. Not too excited about the poop bit as that is what had already been processed before the op.
Back there tomorrow to spend the day with her. Hope that she will be ok tonight. Vets have been outstanding there. I can't praise them enough. They kept us updated throughout the op even though we were watching:eek:
It wasn't as bad to watch as I expected. Watching Grey's Anatomy and CSI has obviously helped. :rolleyes:
Hoping for no phone calls tonight. No news will be good news!
I'd also like to thank you all for the amazing support. You have helped us more than you know it. Hopefully I'll be able to report some good news soon.
 
Not long been back from visiting Ruby. What a difference a day makes! No phone calls through the night. What a relief. Ruby is one strong mare. Off the drip this morning, already had a short walk out and is allowed tiny bits of hay every now and again. She is ravenous and has had to be muzzled to stop her eating her bed of wood shavings. She has already passed pony sized droppings. They are all amazed at her. She has a very strong character but is so sweet and affectionate with it. She is winning every ones hearts.;)
The biopsies are being processed as an emergency by the pathology lab and should be back either later today or tomorrow. Fingers crossed they give us some information on hownto treat the infection and stop any more colic.
 
Vet just rang from hospital. Ruby is ok. Started to worry! The results are back. Confirmed she has a severe infection in the appendix area and the large bowel. This is the cause of the colic. :)
I am so happy that her bowel is not paralysed in places.
This is treatable. It may take a while though to get it under control so she is not out of the woods yet. They are upping the strength of the anti inflammatories. This has a high risk of causing lamminitis if not managed correctly! No-one has any idea where the infection has come from. They are toying with the idea that she may have developed a very rare gluten allergy. A nutrionist will be consulted tomorrow to see what she can and can't eat. In the meantime I have also suggested they think about natural herbs such as slippery elm bark powder and licquorice as these are also natural anti inflammatories.
Anyone know of any other horses/ponies with a gluten allergy? What do they get fed?
 
I'm sorry I know nothing about gluten problems.

But I am so pleased that the cause of the colic has been found and that it can be dealt with.

Really glad that she's eating and pooing.

As always, VIBES for Ruby. Go on girl you're doing great, keep it up please. Good girl
 
Yes it is. :D:D:D:D
After the nightmare I went through wondering if I was doing the right thing with the operation i am so pleased that some good has come out of it. Now if we can just get the infection under control and her diet right.
I have nothing but praise for the vets at Utrecht. They have been fantastic. I've been kept informed every step of the way. They've listened to all my suggestions and now they are even willing to discuss the use of natural remedies alongside the medication to help her get better. I know their expertise is costing a fortune but the fact they are willing to listen and not dismiss me as an ignoramus means a lot to me.
Like I mentioned before Ruby is not out of the danger zone yet but we now have hope.:D:D
 
So glad things went well today for Ruby, you both so deserve some positive news :) Fingers crossed the infection heals up soon, she sounds a very special horse x
 
Hi I am so happy that a cause has been found and Ruby is on right track now for her treatment we are all willing her to get better she has put up such a fight and I must say she is so lucky to belong to a family who love her so much Well done to those vets also.
 
I have been following your story, it's great that things are looking up now! Hopefully she will make a speedy recovery, with no ongoing problems :)
 
So pleased to see the biospy results were treatable!

No idea on gluten free-is it the same as cereal free? If so over here Allen and Page do a feed for it, so hopefully there is a european equiv!
 
Had a call from the vet this morning. I always hold my breath when they ring wondering if its good news or bad. Good news again today. She's still doing really well. Waiting to hear from the nutritionist and going to see Ruby tonight. This time tomorrow the danger from the op will be over and then we can really concentrate on the infection.
 
Bit of a hiccup yesterday. :( Vet reduced pain meds but obviously too soon as Ruby wouldn't eat and was uninterested. He immediately upped them again and within an hour she was eating and more like herself. They will try again on Monday to reduce them and she how she reacts. She is on so much medication it reads like a chemists stock list.
Had a night off from visiting yesterday as I was exhausted. Really wanted to go to see her but it's no good making myself ill as this won't do her any good.
Are going to see her today and looking forward to it. :)
 
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