Laminitis with no improvement

[ester]

Also this mare has had this since december and then deteriorated again recently. It is certainly helpful to see success stories but those I know of seem to be more acute as oppossed to getting to be chronic and worsening.

 

[shortstuff99]

Also this mare has had this since december and then deteriorated again recently. It is certainly helpful to see success stories but those I know of seem to be more acute as oppossed to getting to be chronic and worsening.

Yes, on the other side my old pony had EMS although I managed this with diet and poor grazing (not medication). When he got into his 30's he also developed Cushing symptoms and coupled with his EMS it got very difficult to manage the laminitis to the point where he could have no grass at all or it would bring it on.

I then made the decision to put to sleep as I thought it best for him at his age rather then going through long periods of box rest.

I have seen both sides and hope that both these stories help a few people!

 

[holeymoley]

While it’s good to hear other people’s experiences with laminitis, I have gone through a serious case myself with my guy as mentioned above somewhere, I think this case is a bit different. Which is why I’ve stopped referring back to my experience. This little horse has been suffering for a good few months now and unfortunately isn’t any better, to the point of being very close to the bone protruding through. Yes there has been success stories even with the bone having sunk but I think this little soul has been on a very long journey now. I personally don’t think it’s any more helpful to the op to share our own experiences, more so if they’ve recovered.

OP I hope you’re okay, I keep hoping there’s an update x

 

[Nari]

Ycbm I've messaged PSD about my experiences and as such don't feel the need to retell it in full on here. Enough to say he's IR and there had been likely been slow changes over a period of time followed by an acute change where he severely rotated in both fores and also sank - it was a good few years ago now so I don't remember exact percentages but suffice to say he was very nearly through the sole and the worse foot started to bow out on the sole when the shoe was removed. He did nearly 9 months box rest, was regularly x-rayed with the farrier there to trim exactly to x-rays and was shod in a few different types of shoe but always with pads and putty for support. Bute, Sedalin, Metformin and very careful management.

Years later he's a very bright cheerful lad who hacks out with great enthusiasm. Lives out on poor grazing 24/7 in the summer, supplemented with soaked hay as needed, and in the winter is out in the day and stabled at night.

Each case is an individual. Some mild cases never recover, some severe ones do. I also feel that no matter how good the treatment and management if you have a bad case you need a hefty dollop of luck.

 

[View]

Each case is an individual. Some mild cases never recover, some severe ones do. I also feel that no matter how good the treatment and management if you have a bad case you need a hefty dollop of luck.

So, so true.

 

[indie1282]

Just read this whole thread. I'm really sorry PSD but those x rays are horrific.

How are things now?

 

[MiniMilton]

Thinking of you OP. Wishing you strength in the coming days.
Honestly I think your vet is being unfair to you and making this decision far more difficult than it already is.

 

[Equi]

Just checking in psd. I hope you’re well and safe.

 

[indie1282]

Just checking in psd. I hope you’re well and safe.

Me too. I have noticed PSD has commented on other threads so hoping for an update to this one soon.

 

[Equi]

My Main concern was psd own well-being, so I’m glad she’s been seen in other threads.

 

[PSD]

Hi al sorry for the lack of updates - I’ve just had a bit of rough time getting my head around things.

So I won’t bore you with too much detail, but after the x rays I shared last time I had a good talk with the farrier and vet who said that we should increase the metformin dose as they thought this was the reason for her lack of improvement. That was 2 weeks ago. The farrier couldn’t get hold of the imprint shoes at the time of those x rays as they were out of stock so a week later the vet agreed to re-X-ray so the farrier could have an up to date version and be able to trim accordingly, however in this week she had worsened again from 16 degrees to 18. But the vet at the time felt that this was most likely due to the fact she hasn’t been trimmed, so because she was happy enough (weight baring, less lying down etc) I agreed to let them trim and see how that went.

Unfortunately she hadn’t improved, her sole became “spongy” and the vet believed that this was now because the pedal bone was sinking too far and she was at risk of penetrating. After a long chat with the head vet yesterday he and I both agreed that her feet are just too badly damaged now to come back from this, she isn’t improving despite doing absolutely everything we can for her. It’s so sad because she is still bright and happy and even a lot more mobile than she was.

So Tilly will be crossing rainbow bridge at some point this week - I am just waiting for the crematorium to call me back today with their availability to collect her and the vets will work around this.

I’m heartbroken to say the very least. I really thought with the way she seemed, that things inside the feet were improving however they just aren’t.

I want to thank you all for your amazing support, advice and well wishes however this time it just wasn’t meant to be for her. My vet is deeply upset, but he said he fully believes it’s due to the lack of intervention at the beginning - that being said there’s nothing that can change that now. He said we’ve exhausted every option and there is just nothing left to do but I should take peace in the fact that I’ve tried everything and tried so hard to get her back. They have been truly amazing in trying to fight this on her behalf and I am so sad that it has come to this.

 

[vmac66]

So so sorry to hear this. You've have gone above and beyond for your mare and she is so lucky to have you. Think everyone has been hoping for a better outcome.
Sending you hugs. Take care and look after yourself x

 

[Roxylola]

Sorry to see this update. Thoughts are with you it's never an easy decision but you've done all you can now

 

[Nari]

I'm sending you lots of love, and strength and peace for what's to come x

 

[milliepops]

really sorry PSD been reading your thread but not commented before as I had nothing useful to add. I feel so very sad for you but you have done your absolute best. I hope in time it starts to feel less awful and you can remember the good times you have had with your sweet mare.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I'm sorry to hear that you haven't got a better result, you certainly have been let down by the professionals, especially the first vet. I am glad that she still has some sparkle, as that is the best time to let her go. You really wouldn't want to make her wait for release until she had lost that. thinking of you.

 

[ycbm]

Thank you so much for taking the time to update us when you have so much to deal with. I'm so sorry you didn't get a happier outcome to report. You did your absolute best. I'll be thinking of you this week.

.

 

[Yeomans]

So sorry to hear this and thank you for letting us all know. Will be thinking of you in the next couple of days. Look after yourself as well.

 

[OldNag]

I am so sorry, you know we're all thinking of you. You could not have done more for your mare and I hope that thought will help you through this. xx

 

[millikins]

Sad news PSD, I hope you feel some relief at having made the decision, even though it isn't the outcome you have tried so hard for.

 

[Noble]

So sorry to read this, you have done all you could for your mare. Look after yourself.

 

[View]

OP, so sorry to read this. Please take some comfort that you have done everything that you can for your sweet girl. Hugs, and will be thinking of you. It's never easy.

 

[holeymoley]

So sorry to hear this. Wishing you all the strength to get through the rest of the week xx

 

[PSD]

Thank you all for your kind words. It’s hurting that we couldn’t get her right but that is the heartbreak of this horrific disease if it isn’t caught early enough.

She will be meeting my old boy who I lost last year, on Friday morning. I hope she knows how much I’ve tried for her ?

 

[fusspot]

So sorry to read this.When you have let her go, apart from the upset, you will feel a small sense of relief that your beautiful girl is now in no pain.After a time, you will look back and see that you really have been a wonderful owner that can not have done any more to see if you could get her back on her feet.Sometimes it doesn’t matter what you do....it just isn’t meant to be.You have been unbelievably brave through all this.Thinking of you at this tough time.xx

 

[indie1282]

Thank you for the update. I wish you all the best for Friday and am really very sorry that the outcome wasn't better xx

 

[Arzada]

I'm so very sorry PSD. You couldn't have been a better more caring owner. We'll be thinking of you and Tilly on Friday.

 

[PSD]

My lovely yard owner has said if I wish to, give her as much bute as I can and I can let her go in YOs paddock for a few hours tomorrow. I’m sure she will love that and she can spend her last day with us happy and content eating some grass. The vet has said they’d be happy to let her do this too

 

[DabDab]

So sorry PSD. You are a wonderful owner, and she is truly lucky to have you - to be loved and cared for until the end is what all of us hope for. What a cruel condition laminitis is. Thinking of you xx

 

[TPO]

Sorry that a miracle didnt happen for you, you've tried every option and I agree that you are making the best decision.

Thinking of you x