Not sure what to do? Pts?

[Connemara24]

Quincy the 26yo horse with ems, was doing really well living out 24/7 with unsoaked hay. But a week ago he started getting pulses and foot sore, so brought him in to a dirt patch with no grass and soaked hay, spoke to vet she said let's re take the ems test in a month, I thought about pts then as having no grass is miserable but he seemed quite happy, and I thought maybe just a change of routine out in the day in at night soaked hay 24/7 would do the job. But then he escaped into the field while I was out riding and ate some unsoaked dry hay, which as he has a dust allergy this set it of, he normally just coughs for a bit and then it goes in 24hrs after having soaked hay. This time he started breathing really heavily, weezing. Got the vet out last night nearly Pts then but decided to give him streiods even with the risk of the laminitis I wanted to know I'd given him a chance. This morning he isn't laminitic at all yet, I have steroid pills to give him for the next few days but I'm so frightened I'm going to come up and he will be laminitic and I don't want that for him but also if this helps and he doesn't get laminitis he could be fine. Breathing already getting better. I just want some advice to see what other people would do? I've never had to make this choice the other two I lost not long about a year ago the choice was out of my hands as they had grass sickness. Thanks

 

[Equi]

There is a chance of lami but it is quite low. Continue with what you’re doing, and just keep observing.

 

[meleeka]

I think you are giving him every chance to recover. If he goes down with laminitis then I’d probably say that’s his time. He can’t go on with his breathing as it is, so you have to do something.

You can’t fix everything and at 26 you are really only putting off the inevitable day.

 

[Connemara24]

I think you are giving him every chance to recover. If he goes down with laminitis then I’d probably say that’s his time. He can’t go on with his breathing as it is, so you have to do something.

You can’t fix everything and at 26 you are really only putting off the inevitable day.

Yes definitely that is what I said last night to the vet. I was not going to let his breathing carry on like this, I was just thinking about pts before so he isn't in pain if he does get it. Thanks

 

[Highmileagecob]

It sounds like you have some fluctuating insulin levels. Is the hay from a different batch? Soaking the hay will help to reduce both insulin levels and coughing, and hopefully, the steroid therapy will level things out. I share your pain - my cob is 28, EMS and COPD. So far he has coped well with retirement and no exercise, but it's a worry isn't it?

 

[Connemara24]

It sounds like you have some fluctuating insulin levels. Is the hay from a different batch? Soaking the hay will help to reduce both insulin levels and coughing, and hopefully, the steroid therapy will level things out. I share your pain - my cob is 28, EMS and COPD. So far he has coped well with retirement and no exercise, but it's a worry isn't it?

Yeah definitely it's all from the same supplier so not sure just get what he brings. They are such a worry yes he is retired aswell.. he was doing really well aswell it's just so frustrating. Thanks for your reply

 

[Highmileagecob]

My lad has shown a marked improvement since I started to add short chop forage and forage replacers to his diet, in addition to his normal haylage rations. His teeth are failing, but he is eating like a starving horse and no wheezing!

 

[meleeka]

Yes definitely that is what I said last night to the vet. I was not going to let his breathing carry on like this, I was just thinking about pts before so he isn't in pain if he does get it. Thanks

If he were mine, and I’m currently dealing with a similar situation, although different illness, I’d do what you’ve done. If he comes down with laminitis then you’ve reached your red line, you can be sure you’ve done all you can. PTS because he might get laminitis is also a valid call, but not one I’d make personally, because I know I’d be forever wondering if it was the right decision.

I’m sure you’ll do the best thing for you both so go with what feels right.

 

[Birker2020]

Just wanted to add good luck x

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Sounds very much like the awful situation I had with my old gal; I say "old" but she was only 10. Had Trigeminal headshaking, sub-clinical laminitis, possibly EMS (we didn't test for that as there was plenty else wrong to be going on with), and probable CPL as well. Managing her was a nightmare. She was obese which was the worry with the lammi; but because of the headshaking she couldn't be exercised - even leading out in hand she couldn't deal with, bless her poor old socks.

She had to be kept off grass and away from her herd during the hot summer 2 years back, and it was a nightmare for her: the stables/yard area was very hot, way too hot, and the whole thing came to a head when she very nearly barrelled into a friend of mine - this friend was very close to the mare and she'd have jumped off a cliff for her. We knew/could see that she was in massive distress, and made "the call" then and there. For the last 24hrs of her life we turned her back out onto the grass with her little herd to enjoy freedom with them, before we had to bring her in to do "the job" later that afternoon. Poor old lass, life was very unfair to her giving her the body she had. She was a sweetheart.

Sometimes you just "know" the time is right. Sounds like you've done your best but at the end of the day you are fighting multiple conditions & issues, and sometimes you just have to let them go.

Wish could be more positive. Am sooh sorry.

 

[Honey08]

I had my heart horse pts at 24 last year. I deliberated whether the life she was living was a happy retirement at grass or whether she was constantly having to have treatment and be on the hard standing turnout. I decided it wasn’t a happy retirement anymore and the decision was made.

 

[Connemara24]

Just wanted to add good luck x

Thank you X

 

[Connemara24]

If he were mine, and I’m currently dealing with a similar situation, although different illness, I’d do what you’ve done. If he comes down with laminitis then you’ve reached your red line, you can be sure you’ve done all you can. PTS because he might get laminitis is also a valid call, but not one I’d make personally, because I know I’d be forever wondering if it was the right decision.

I’m sure you’ll do the best thing for you both so go with what feels right.

Thank you for replying. That really has helped. He is still fine this eve will check again later. See what he is like tomorrow.

 

[Connemara24]

Sounds very much like the awful situation I had with my old gal; I say "old" but she was only 10. Had Trigeminal headshaking, sub-clinical laminitis, possibly EMS (we didn't test for that as there was plenty else wrong to be going on with), and probable CPL as well. Managing her was a nightmare. She was obese which was the worry with the lammi; but because of the headshaking she couldn't be exercised - even leading out in hand she couldn't deal with, bless her poor old socks.

She had to be kept off grass and away from her herd during the hot summer 2 years back, and it was a nightmare for her: the stables/yard area was very hot, way too hot, and the whole thing came to a head when she very nearly barrelled into a friend of mine - this friend was very close to the mare and she'd have jumped off a cliff for her. We knew/could see that she was in massive distress, and made "the call" then and there. For the last 24hrs of her life we turned her back out onto the grass with her little herd to enjoy freedom with them, before we had to bring her in to do "the job" later that afternoon. Poor old lass, life was very unfair to her giving her the body she had. She was a sweetheart.

Sometimes you just "know" the time is right. Sounds like you've done your best but at the end of the day you are fighting multiple conditions & issues, and sometimes you just have to let them go.

Wish could be more positive. Am sooh sorry.

Thank you for taking the time to reply, all the help is greatly appreciated and it really helps.

 

[ycbm]

I would support whatever decision you make, including calling it a day "early" to prevent a future crisis.
.

 

[Snow Falcon]

My old boy got lami at 28. He was PTS on diagnosis. I always said quality of life came first. If you feel that the breathing is improving then fingers crossed for you and him.

I don't judge people for PTS, it's a hard enough call to make anyway and if you are thinking of doing it then you have your reasons.

 

[Goldenstar]

There comes a time when keeping them going becomes too stressful and diffcult for everybody including the horse .
Any one who gives you grief about choosing to PTS is really not worth giving head space to .
I am really sorry you are going through this.

 

[Connemara24]

I would support whatever decision you make, including calling it a day "early" to prevent a future crisis.
.

Thank you

 

[Connemara24]

Thank you everyone
He is still fine this morning showing no signs of laminitis. Breathing is nearly back to normal no more coughing. He did escape out of his no grass patch into some long grass but wasn't in there for minimum 1hr so that worried me a bit. Back to his normal self though!

 

[ihatework]

I had a 20yo horse that many people wouldn’t have pts but I did because the restrictions he would have needed on his lifestyle would have impacted his quality of life.

He had been retired and managed for Cushings for 5 years and when it started progressing to the point he was getting foot abscess and periodically boardering on laminitis, not holding weight as well as he always had and got stiff and snotty when in …. What was the point of prolonging the inevitable?

 

[pistolpete]

I worked for the vets years ago and always remember one excellent vet saying don’t treat the named disease. Treat the animal in front of you. Applies to X-rays too. If animal in front of you has a decent quality of life keep going. You really will know when it’s time. Best of luck x

 

[Connemara24]

I worked for the vets years ago and always remember one excellent vet saying don’t treat the named disease. Treat the animal in front of you. Applies to X-rays too. If animal in front of you has a decent quality of life keep going. You really will know when it’s time. Best of luck x

Thank you

 

[Barton Bounty]

Hopefully, he will improve for you as other have said lami is the red line too for me. I think how I feel with arthritis and wouldnt want him to struggle. Fingers crossed

 

[Connemara24]

Hopefully, he will improve for you as other have said lami is the red line too for me. I think how I feel with arthritis and wouldnt want him to struggle. Fingers crossed

Thank you, laminitis is definitely the red line for me. Luckily arthritis wise he doesn't have it that badly not on any medication just boswellia, never struggles to roll or getting up. Yep fingers crossed he is still all good even though he kept on getting out.