My boy is being put to sleep

Lexie81

Lexie81

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I posted before about the vet soming to see my pony today. He is 18, and was on loan as a companion until last week when he came home to my yard where i have my other 2 horses.
Vet is the same vet who has been treating him for years - I have had him 17 1/2 years. She said that the swelling in his hind legs is due to severe dermatitis, which has become infected - never encountered this before. She said this would be easily treated, however he has cushings, which my vet has now said is very severe. She also said that neurologically (sp) he is not right. He cannot walk a circle without stumbling and holds his head to one side. she said she is convinced he has a brain tumour. She said she would be able to give me some drugs to get him through the winter, but that she feels that he would not manage to go on much beyond this, and that he is not very comfortable, and her advice is to have him put to sleep as soon as we can. he also has bad arthritis in both hind legs.
So there we go. I am really sad, obviously. He has been turned out in my yard owners specially reserved for winter field, and my vet said he can be spoilt rotten all weekend. I know this is the right thing for him, but having had him so long it is bloody hard!!! It is making me reconsider my other horses, who i also love dearly.....do i want to go through all this again in a few years???? it really does make you doubt if you can do it again, when you love your horses so much.

sorry for waffling.......
 
It sounds as if your boy has had all the love he could wish for, and what else can we do??? Stuff him with carrots, lush grass and sugar lumps...

And remember they have to have much shorter lives than us because otherwise the loss would be truly unbearable, so they protect us by leaving us after a limited period......

It sounds like the vet is right, either a tumour or even a fracture in the neck (but the former in this case).

Good luck for whats to come and best wishes for you both. Remember he knows nothing about it, so dont be sad for him.
 
I am so sorry to read this, how sad for your old horse, but it is the kindest thing you could do.
That's the awful thing about keeping animals is losing them, i still haven't fully got over losing my 18yr old cat back in march, it was horrible.
Just remind yourself that you are doing what is best, its a hard and brave decision *big hugs*
 
Aaaww Sweetie!! So sorry you're having to make this horrible decision, it does sound like you're doing the best thing for him though.

(((((((HUGS)))))))
 
Huge hugs im so sorry to hear this, it must be a heartbreaking decision but your doing what any loving owner would and putting your boy first
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Have only had my first and only horse Gem 3 years now, shes only 10 but id never sell her, and i dread the day i have to make a decision like this
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Nat xx
 
Had to make sad decision in may with my dog.You cant keep them if suffering.I still miss him everyday but its really the kindest thing you can do.Spoil him rotten for few days you have privilige of spending quality time with him.
 
Thank you. Rightly or Wrongly i am going to give him tonnes of mints, carrots and apples when i have to finally say bye to him on sunday night. He is a very special pony, taught me to so much and i will never ever have a pony like him again. I love my mares loads but it's not the same.
 
Oh god I am so so sorry to hear this, just look at it...you have given him the best ever life for all those years and you must always try and remember all the good times you have both had.

It isn't very easy at all I did it only in August after having my boy for 10years, the biggest and hardest decision ever to be made in a lifetime...he will thank you for it i'm sure...you really have to be brave for him, spoil him rotten up until the day he goes to sleep...

As for youru other horses, yes it is hard and a fact of life unfortunately, but they also give you the warmth and comfort at times like these, without my mare around I would've cracked up...she has been a rock to me she has felt the pain of losing her partner in crime.

This is all bringing memories back now...and not a day will pass that I dont think about him...as i'm sure you will, please give yourself time to grieve also this is very important, I learnt this...

I wish I could say something that would make you feel better...but words wouldn't be able to do such a thing!!
Just be brave and there for him when he needs you the most...

Thinking of you all.....warmest wishes
xxxxxxxx
sending lots of hugs too
 
I will do.......I'm dreading saying bye though, it's going to be awful. My husband is going to have to drive me home and put me to bed i think!
I would like to be there when he is PTS, but i know i won't be able to do it, My bestfriend/YO is going to be there. he has known her since day 1 so he won't be afraid. I still can't believe that this is happening.
 
Think with your brain hun, its what he deserves and what you as an owner can do for him now. You can react with your heart once you have done the right thing.

Keep it happy and reward yourself with what you have both done together, you will always have your memories.

I have no idea what you are going through but the above is the best I can offer.

Stength and bravery to you x
 
He is a lucky boy to have been loved all his life. Hard though it is you can at least ensure he is PTS at home with lots of love and dignity. Wish you all the best over the next few days.

I also wondered if I could continue to have animals after my dog was PTS, but my horses have kept me going and I don't regret it for a minute.
 
This is really hard but you know it is the right decision
Part of Cushings is the failure of skin conditions to heal satisfactorily--you sort one place and the infection pops out somewhere else.
Hugs to both of you and dont let it cloud your relationship with your mares--that will never be the same but it will be special in its own way given time
 
[ QUOTE ]
spoil him rotten, then let him go, it's his time.
it is very very hard, but it's the least we can do for them at the end, in return for all the good times.
*HUGS*

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds the right thing to do
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oh my god you have made me cry now...(sorry) after you saying your boy is called Merlin too....what a wonderful name!

I honestly didnt think I could be there, but I did with my husband also, It was my last thank you to him, held him in my arms whilst injection being given saying thank you , loved him and everything, but seeing him free from all the pain also gave me reasurrance that I did do the right thing, I promised him I would be there and not to let him suffer and thats what I did.

Be very proud of yourself, I wish I could be there to lend you a shoulder to cry on....please please be strong for him and you, you are doing the right thing by him believe me, it's never easy.

Thinking of you xxx
 
((((((Hugs))))))) i can't imagin how you must be feeling i can't even think about my mare leaving me i swear i think shes going to live for ever.

Thoughts are with you x
 
Big hugs to you - he knows nothing about this and you're doing the very best thing for him. He won't be in any pain. I know what you mean about rethinking things - it never gets any easier, nor should it - but he's had a brilliant life with you and so will your others.

Good luck - spoil him like crazy.
 
Thanks Kezz, sorry to make you cry
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I named him Merlin when i got him, as a 6 month old foal off the new forest. He was a huge surprise present from my parents for my 10th birthday -my first pony. It is indeed a very special name only given to very special ponies !xx
 
Oh you poor thing, I have not had to do it 'yet. but nealry lost my boy this year and swore I would never have another as it was breaking my heart.

You are sooo brave, like you I will not be able to be there at the end and will ask a much trusted friend who he knows to be there, when that day comes.

((((((((( HUG)))))))))) he is clealry much loved, try not to shed too many tears of sadness this weekened, but enjoy him and keep on loving him, if you believe in such things he will have fun at 'rainbow bridge'
 
Oh I'm so sorry for you
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It's got to be the worst part about horse (or any animal) owning
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We have our hearts broken as soon as we sign on the dotted line and buy one - we have to either sell them or lose them - it's inevitable
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Personally, I think that you're doing the right thing by your old boy - it's not an easy decision to make but it's the kindest in the long run - you know this deep down
((((HUGS))))
Kate xx
 
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