Should I give up hope?

[Izzy1]

My little 12 year old pony has cushings and is not responding to treatment. I posted last week and some of the replies were really positive and gave me some hope. However, she is really bad again today. She is desperately lame with really chronic laminitis, is really miserable and has spent at least 5 months of the last 10 in the stable alone and in pain. She has had a chest infection, impaction colic and a horrid skin problem all of which we cleared up but.....We are beginning to wonder whether we should get the vet out again to see whether we are doing the right things as she appears to be suffering and it is pitiful to watch. She has completely lost condition, can't keep weight on and her ears are flat to her head as soon as you approach her. So sad as she is normally such a perky little pony with loads of character and she is very beautiful. When do you know it is time to give up?

 

[jendie]

I think only you know when that time has come. It is when life holds no joy for her, when there is no hope of a better future. When that time arrives then having her PTS is the last act of love you can do.

 

[cptrayes]

I'm sorry for your horrible situation, but it sounds as if it's time to give up, your pony is miserable.

 

[Annie&Amy]

I think your little pony is telling you it's time, it's very hard to make the decision but you have seriously got to think about her quality of life and what future she has. I'm sorry for you I really am but I think it is time to let her go. Speak to your vet and ask them to be honest with you xx

 

[LauraWheeler]

So sorry to read this.

Only you realy know your pony. There have been times when everyone has told me to give up on Lucy (inclu in nov when she was diagnosed with amyloidosis and given a less than 50% chance of survival) I know Lucy is a fighter so i refuse to give up on her. But with other horses i have called it a day sooner rather than later as i knew they wouldn't try and wern't happy.

Sad as it is you must make the best desition for your pony and only you know what that is. Sorry i can't be more help but (((((((((((hugs))))))))))) and i hope you make the right choice for your pony.

 

[Izzy1]

It is so difficult because in theory she should respond to treatment. But for some odd reason she isn't. I would feel better if she looked like there was even a 1% improvement but even on bute twice a day, a miserable diet of happy hoof and soaked hay (although I have to admit I have stopped soaking it now as she is skinny and she needs a bit of nutrition) and a bit of the high fibre hoof kind horsehage (there is only 3% sugar in this compared to 10% in hay)there is absolutely no change. She has been in a stable for 8 weeks now, has imprint shoes on and my 7 year old daughter is heartbroken. She was ill all over the summer, came sound for a few weeks then started again with the lameness. After multiple vets we finally got to the reason for it all and here we are. I keep thinking maybe try a different treatment but am really struggling with keeping her going only for her to be PTS in a few more weeks after yet more pain. I think a big decision needs to be made!! Hideous!

 

[greenlivery]

So sorry to read this, stay strong and do what you think is best for your pony.

 

[Sarah Sum1]

Oh i'm so sorry to read this, it must be very hard and sad for you. It does sound like she is unhappy. Is there really no hope in terms of treatment? You know whats best for your pony, hugs to you.

 

[Annie&Amy]

I lost my mare in 2008 with laminitis, I don't know what caused it but after three months of box rest/imprint shoes etc I made the decision to have her put to sleep, she was unhappy stuck in a stable at the age of 24, away from her mates and the things she loved. I went up one night and the light and spark had gone out of her eyes. It was a bloody hard decision to make but there are so many if, buts and maybe's with laminitis. I knew I'd made the right decision when I put her out before the vets came to put her down, she rolled and scratched and ate and interacted with the horses doing things that any horse should be entitled to do, her death was very peaceful for her and when she was gone my first emotion was relief that the nightmare was over and she was free of pain. I miss her like hell but I know without a shadow of a doubt that I made the right decision.

 

[Izzy1]

There are other drugs besides pergolide that we could try. My vet was surprised there was no improvement 3 weeks ago but said just to keep going - she has now been on treatment for nearly 5 weeks with zero change. She is due a blood test to see if the cushings has come under control because only when this happens will the laminitis improve. My farrier says that if she was a horse there would be no chance in this situation but that ponies can do better as they are lighter and therefore less pressure on their feet. She has had imprints on for just over 2 weeks now. I think that all of this comes on top of an already bad year for her and I don't want her to go on for another few months in pain. She is very young for cushings (only 12) and i wonder if this is a bad thing for her prognosis. I am just depressed about her - and I think I can only talk to the vet and get a real honest opinion now. She is pottering around the yard briefly - pottering is a good description) and she tries to bite the kids if they go near her and as soon as you have mucked out her stable she goes straight back in of her own accord. I put her headcollar on today and walked her in hand for 20 yds but gave up as her right leg gave way under her. She cannot trot - ueually laminitis resolves reasonably quickly once in and on soaked hay and bute for a couple of weeks. We have a pony who has always been laminitic and even at her worst has never been this bad. Oh the joys of horse ownership!!!

 

[Sarah Sum1]

Ahh poor girl. I would speak to your vet and see what he/she says. I really hope things will improve for her. Please let us know how things go. x

 

[Cazza525]

Oh goodness, how hard for you. You must make the right decision for you,your family and ultimately your much loved pet.

I often think its useful to think...'I wouldn't keep my dog like this'.

Just be strong....you'll make the right decision,at the right time....XX

 

[Izzy1]

Thank you all for your sympathy and stories. It is so helpful to hear other peoples experience! So sad to hear the difficult decisions some of you have made. I will get the vet back out next week and make some sort of decision - need to be positive about it whether it is to give up or to try something else as a last resort. Thanks again for the support - it has helped x

 

[LeneHorse]

Is she still lying down in her stable? I knew the time had come with my laminitic cushings mare when she stopped lying down - I think she knew that if she went down she would not get up again. And as someone else said, the spark had gone out of her eyes and she'd lost interest in what was going on around her. She was only 13 so it was a very hard decision but the right one in her case.

 

[Echo Bravo]

Izzy1 get your vet out tomorrow or monday first thing! Why have you let her suffer for so long???

 

[Darkhorse]

You will know when its time to call it a day. I lost my mare last year to colic, she was only 13 and had a foal at foot.

Its a an awful decision to be faced with. Good luck

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

I am so sorry to hear about your pony, it must be so hard for you.
You know her best. But from what you have said it sounds like her quality of life is poor and unless that can be improved then I think PTS is the kindest thing you can do for her. I am so sorry *big hugs* to you

 

[brighteyes]

johnrobert, that sort of 'tone' is not helpful

I'm sure this pony is in very capable, caring and ultimately selfless hands.

Izzy, has the vet upped her dosage of pergolide and have you considered there might be an underlying something else, causing the weight loss?

Having walked the same road as you and letting the most precious thing in my life go the moment I realised she had had enough and was ready, I know exactly how you feel and the terrible dilemma of 'shall I see if she is any better tomorrow...' Our little old lady always pulled through but age was against her and we called time, in consultation with her vet, just over a year ago. Devastated and heartbroken still, 12 months on, I have to say that although I miss her terribly every single day, I was right to let her free from the miserable life she was leading. I did my very best to ensure her days were full of company and fed as much as I dare, fresh and in small meals throughout. On her last day, though, she had buckets of everything she had been denied and grass, grass, grass. My leaving present to her.

What I am saying is, you'll know in your heart of hearts if you should carry on. Look really hard at her and the answer will be there. If it isn't, I don't think it's time. Only you can really tell.

 

[DAN12345]

my boy has lami at the moment and jst been diagnosed with cushings,he`s on pergolide,we av gud days and bad,we also had slight bout of colic,infection in his eye which seems 2 av cleard up. i have been looking at alternative therapy as i am desperate 2 find sumthing that may help/save him,it realy is heartbraking!av u lukd at herbs/supplements,hes havin nettles 4 circulation and mint 2 sooth his belly,bin looking at global herbs,especially laminitis prone supplement and also feedmark do a few,if u e-mail them they are very helpfull!also iv herd about cinnomen 4 circulation,iv even lookd ay aromatherapy!!iv also invested in magnetic bell boots which i got from equi magnets. iv bought a toy ball called destraction aid which has bands around it n u slide carrots under them which he loves,i figured if i cud keep his spirit up it wud encourage him 2 stay brave n strong!but through a this i 2 am faced with possibility of losing my best friend and iv decided and talked it through with my vet that we wil give him so long or depended on how much he will recover i will do the rite thing because i wnt him 2 av a gud quality of life,as hard as the decision maybe, at the moment he isnt ready but am sure he will let me no if iv left it 2 long!! hope that may give u few ideas 2 try! x

 

[Izzy1]

Thank you!! I am trying not to let her suffer! I visit her 3 times a day to spend time with her. I try to find her little safe bits to eat. I put little things in her haynet to make life interesting. I make sure she has equine company in the yard as much as is possible. She has regular pain killers, is on a lovely soft bed and I am in regular contact with the vet. I am also a nurse who looks after dying people so I don't do suffering!!! She is still lying down in her stable - I too think that is a good sign. Although she looks depressed and is a bit (well a lot) bolshy with her flat ears I am hoping that it is still a bit of fight in her. I will talk to the vet again after the weekend. I guess there is scope to change her drugs if the pergolide isn't working or to up the dose. We have had a specialist out to see her also to try and rule out other causes for it all. I have spent thousands on her in the last 8 months. I just want her to have the best chance and would be beside myself if I thought I had bottled out too early but also beside myself if I thought I had let her suffer a moment longer than is necessary. Such a dilemma. She discovered where i keep the haylage and she snuck in there whilst I was mucking out today. Surely that is a little spark there?? I think I will speak to the vet and set a time limit for improvement. I think that is a very sensible idea. Thank you all for your comments and support - I will post again to let you know what happens over the next week or so!

 

[Nic]

I didn't reply to your previous post as our story didn't have a happy ending.

Our welshie was exactly the same cushings, in winter he couldn't go out coz he got laminitus, couldn't stay in coz he coliced.

We struggled on pergolide for a year or so then decided to give him one last summer & call it a day. He was PTS September 06.

We knew as he had more days in pain than not.

Hugs

 

[PeterNatt]

When the vet takes blood ask him to just check that there are no other infections that may be causing the Laminitis. For instance emerging encysted small red worms can cause Laminitis.

 

[Izzy1]

I am sorry to hear the sad end to your story Nic. So sad when you so want them to get better but ultimately I guess we have to do what is right for the animal. I will ask the vet to do the bloods for the other causes you suggested Peter. I have her insured so will just add it all on to the claim!! Anything is worth investigating. Maybe he will double the pergolide for a bit or swap her to periactin. I don't know. I think when we have exhausted those options or if she no longer wants a scratch or doesn't try to bite the kids then I will know! I also have to consider my 7 year old and how it all affects her as she is besotted with her. I have started to prepare her for the worst so it is not too much of a shock if things don't work out. Luckily we have another little pony she can ride in the interim and although he is far from perfect he at least is a distraction (and a challenge).

 

[Crazy Friesian]

Hi Izzy Have you tried the yahoo groups for Cushings and Metabolic horse. They are more than helpful. I am very sure that you have tried everything both you and your vet can think of and it is a desperatly sad situation you are in. Strength and hugs to you.

EquineCushings@yahoogroups.com
TheMetabolicHorse@yahoogroups.com

Jackie is the head honcho at the Metabolic Horse - uk based. She is great.

Strength and hugs to you.