Old horse winter vet check

I think it is really hard for people who haven't had animals to understand that we can make their ending so much more peaceful and kind than anything we allow to happen to humans (I also saw my grandma literally waste away this year). My OH didn't grow up with animals due to his mum's allergies and he really struggles when I have had debates with myself this year over soundness issues and what that means for both horses. I've tried to explain that horses have no real sense of the future and so don't fear death in the same way as humans do - but they do fear pain.

My friend is a vet and she says being able to PTS is a privilege that she is lucky to have to stop an animal suffering.

Its never, ever easy.

BTW - my vet has had discussions with me about the future of both my horses with me in absolute floods of tears but its part of her job and she's pretty pragmatic about it. If you know the vet well and they know your horse then give them a call.
 
OP, your OH is sentimental not compassionate; stop listening to him and listen to your heart and to your vet.

Remember that as an animal owner you have the choice to give them the greatest gift - a good death. I had to watch my Mother decline over more than a year and die in pain, I would have done anything to have been able to make it stop and grant her wish to die.
 
poiuytrewq said:
His reply was that the horse doesn’t understand the option and would rather be alive and stiff than dead.
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Your horse only knows that he is in pain. I was at this stage a few years ago with my elderly pony. Seemed fine but stiff in the field, but had started to lose weight, despite me shovelling it in. He had a mild bout of colic and people still said how well he looked. I booked the vet to come and give me an honest opinion or pts on the spot, just like you're thinking. Three days before the appointment, I found him dead in the stable. He had colicked again from the looks of things (stuff knocked off shelf next door, so I think he'd thrown himself against the dividing wall). If you think it's time, it probably is. You may need some frank words with your OH on this. Be prepared for vet sitting on the fence though, as someone else said.
 
pansymouse said:
OP, your OH is sentimental not compassionate; stop listening to him and listen to your heart and to your vet.

Remember that as an animal owner you have the choice to give them the greatest gift - a good death. I had to watch my Mother decline over more than a year and die in pain, I would have done anything to have been able to make it stop and grant her wish to die.
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Really sorry about your Mum. We watched my MIL essentially starve to death last year, as the decision was taken to withdraw treatment after she could no longer swallow and was unconscious most of the time. I think after something like that euthanasia seems an absolute blessing.
 
I agree it is a real blessing that we can pts our old animals before they suffer. To see humans waste away at the end is horrendous.
my Oldie really struggled in the heat this year. Got bloods done just encase. But all good and he is much happier now and we have not started regular Bute yet. But he has his bad days and he will get worse in the winter. But kept warm and moving I know he is currently ok. But I know in the next few years I may have to make the kindest decision for him.

My friend had lost 2 old ones in the past year, both to colic. It was a horrible way to go and I can’t help but feel they had already started to decline noticeably with age- struggling with weight and arthritis- and perhaps having pts earlier would have provided a more peaceful end. But it’s so hard to say. She is going into winter with a 28 and 30 year old who she loves dearly but I must admit that one of them looks slim despite unlimited grazing all summer and I worry for her.
 
I always remember taking a livery to the vet school for investigations. The owner wasn't there and it transpired the pony had Cushings. The vet phoned the owner who was adamant the pony should be PTS as opposed to going on to Prascend. I was somewhat surprised especially as the vet had been fairly positive about the pony being comfortable and happy on Prascend which echoed my own experiences of it. However, the vet said he really didn't have a problem with the decision because "euthanasia isn't a welfare issue". Those words have stayed with me ever since and as others have said better a week too soon than a day too late.
 
I was there with my Dad when he died from cancer, I wouldn’t have put a much loved pet through it, and wish we could have helped Dad not to suffer at the end.

I mentioned to the OH a couple of months ago that when the vet came today (I knew it would be this week as on holiday) I thought I knew what the outcome will be. He thought I was being dramatic mainly as he doesn’t see him every day so doesn’t know Mac like I do, or know horses in general like I do.

He came with me today when the vet came, and he’s listened to all that was said, and we will be saying goodbye in the next couple of weeks. There are personal reasons that we didn’t say goodbye today, but Mac isn’t suffering, in pain or anything else, is still enjoying life, and the weather is still good and the grass still growing. We will be saying goodbye before that changes.

I feel for everyone in this situation and love to you all. Xx
 
reading all of your posts it is obvious that we are all thinking of the horses and not ourselves.....i was in my early 30's when i had my first horse PTS. the only people who knew were my friends who shared the field with me....i needed to make the decision myself with no one trying to put me off .....i called in to see my parents after the deed had been done and told them then. my mum who had horses in her youth completely understood, my dad who didnt know anything about horses didnt understand....i think it is very hard for non horsey people to understand so your OH is not alone....good luck with whatever you decide....
 
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