Opinions needed please

[Ljk2016]

So a quick background, my horse is 19 and has been retired for about 6 years now due to both hind suspensories ligaments being damaged, they are completely slack and his fetlocks have dropped very low to the ground. Due to this he now also has bad arthritis in his fetlocks. He also has cushings disease which is controlled by 2 prascend tablets daily. He is also on 2 sachets a day of Danilon for the pain from his hind legs. He has been on this for years now and seemed comfortable enough to be at grass however I am now struggling to get him to eat his medication and he is therefore looking really uncomfortable in the field. I've tried to put the meds in various different feeds and other items such as sandwiches etc but I'm struggling - he's just not interested. Possibly not being helped by the amount of grass in the field but I have no option as if I bring him in he just gets so stressed that he also won't eat anything at all. Winter in fine as the whole heard come in at night so he does eventually settle.
I'm at a loss as to what to do, I can't stand to see him in pain but I just don't know what to do?
I've tried syringing the meds but he won't take it this way either
It just seems sad if his end is going to be because he won't eat the meds!

 

[be positive]

It is a sad situation but he is probably struggling more as time goes on, the meds are not curing the issues just reducing some of the pain and symptoms while he takes them, he is possibly depressed, a known side effect of Prascend, the danilon may be essential for the arthritis but again long term use can have side effects.
I would be seriously considering having him pts not because he won't eat his meds but because he is going to be getting progressively more uncomfortable and while the meds will help they will never make him the horse he was, there is no rush to make a decision but remember it is better a month too soon than a day too late, he will know nothing about it and you are doing the kindest thing you can for your horse, it may be his way of saying he is tired and wants to rest in peace.

Try not to be sad it is never easy to make the call but sadly we have to at some point when we take responsibility for an animal, take care of yourself.

 

[Ljk2016]

It is a sad situation but he is probably struggling more as time goes on, the meds are not curing the issues just reducing some of the pain and symptoms while he takes them, he is possibly depressed, a known side effect of Prascend, the danilon may be essential for the arthritis but again long term use can have side effects.
I would be seriously considering having him pts not because he won't eat his meds but because he is going to be getting progressively more uncomfortable and while the meds will help they will never make him the horse he was, there is no rush to make a decision but remember it is better a month too soon than a day too late, he will know nothing about it and you are doing the kindest thing you can for your horse, it may be his way of saying he is tired and wants to rest in peace.

Try not to be sad it is never easy to make the call but sadly we have to at some point when we take responsibility for an animal, take care of yourself.

Thank you for your reply.
It's such a hard decision to make as sometimes I look at him happily in the field with his buddies and think how can I have him pts when he's happy and content but other times I wonder if I'm missing the signs that he's had enough!

 

[horsecrazy101]

Don't know if it's any help but I know someone who had a very fussy eater and will only eat this new butter vanilla flavoured bute called butagran equi! Otherwise have you tried apple juice in feed?

 

[EQUIDAE]

Have a look at the easy wormer bits (cheapest through their own website) - it's a hollow plastic bit with a halter that allows you to syringe wormer or medicine from the side. They're brilliant!