Should I put my mare out of her misery??

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I just don't know what to do. My mare got attacked on May 25th and was taken to Liphook with a fractured jaw. It was an open fracture and she wasn't operated on for 36 hours. It was fixed with screws and wire and she was sent home a week later and the surgeon said the prognosis was good. For the last 3 weeks she's been eating bran mashes and been on 3 different types of antibiotics. Two weeks ago around the wound area loads of puss started pouring out. I've been cleaning it 3 times a day and injecting her daily with antibiotics, hosing her mouth etc. Anyway, she had an x-ray on Monday of this week, and it showed that the wire has snapped and there is infection around one of the screws. She now has to go back to Liphook for another operation in 2 weeks to remove all the metal work. The surgeon said to me today that we need to keep the infection at bay for the next 2 weeks but it won't clear up until the metal work is out. I spoke to my friend today who works at a hospital, and she said post operative infections are a nightmare to get rid of, and she also felt that at 6 weeks the fracture wouldn't be that stable anyway. I'm worried that Liphook are being over positive because they can see more money coming, the next op will be £1500 and I'm already well over my £5000 insurance money. I just don't know whether or not to call it a day. She's a 17 year old cob of a lifetime and my daughters are heartbroken but I can't see her improving, and don't know who to believe. I don't want her living a life of pain, xrays and antiibiotics. My other friend, who was there on the night it happened, said to me tonight that if it was her horse she would of had it put to sleep that night. What would you do?
 
How awful for you, your poor horse sounds as if she's suffered a lot. Have you had your own vet out to her since she got out of hospital - what does he/she think? If you think the surgeons are advising you based on how much money they'll get maybe you should get the opinion of an independent vet.
Hope it is a good outcome for you.
 
Oh my goodness, that sounds horrific, poor love.
I don't know the answer, only you can make the decision. You are the one who sees how much pain she is in, or perhaps discomfort, how she is dealing with the situation etc.
I would have a frank discussion with my vet and see what he thinks.
Very difficult decision to make, all I would say, whatever you decide, make sure it is for the horse rather than for you and your family. I am sure you will do that anyway.

I really hope this has a good outcome for you and you lovely mare, I assume it is her in your siggy. She looks lovely.
 
I believe in giving an animal every chance to recover as long as they are not being put through pain and suffering unecessarily.
I would speak to the vet at Liphook and ask him to honestly tell you what her chances are. 17 is not that old and if she has a chance of making a full recovery, if you can stand the costs, then give her that chance. If not, well you have a decision to make.
 
Consider a second opinion if you're worried. In humans, jaws heal remarkably well as the blood supply is so good, . My feeling would be to get metalwork out and see. Difficult call not envious of you. Make sure you tell the vets that it is no longer an insurance job!!!
 
Oh dear, what an awful position to be in. Your poor mare.

For me, I'd probably have the metal work removed, if the vet thinks there is a strong possibility it will work. This is assuming the mare can be kept relatively pain free in the interim.

I would be forever thinking, if only .......
if I didn't have the metal work out.

I was in similar circumstances with a pony of mine. We tried one last thing on the Friday to try and make him turn the corner. When the vet came on the Monday, he said we could try it again. I knew in my heart of hearts that his time was up
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I'm sure you know your horse well enough to know if the sparkle has gone from her eyes.

(((Hugs))) for you and horse.
 
I will get a 2nd opinion tomorrow. She's coping really well with the mashes I'm giving her but I just don't want to put her through a 2nd operation under ga and then not be able to get rid of an infection. Also I'm worried that if the infection is around the screw it could have gone into the bone. I just feel so helpless, I know I have to make the decision myself but I'm at a T junction and just don't know which way to go. I'd never get another horse like her, but equally I don't want her to suffer if she has to be put to sleep 6 months down the line.
 
Oh that sounds painful.

Its true, once metalwork around a fracture is infected, the only way to get rid of the infection is to take out the metalwork and high dose antibiotics.

At 6 weeks, the fracture will be almost healed, but not consolidated (strong and stable).

As others have said, have a frank discussion with your vet and take things from there.

I have my fingers crossed for you.
 
I would say that if you lose metal work, then fairly long course of antibiotics, so long as she is able to feed, isn't running a temperature, and isn't dropping weight then she's not suffering
 
She hasn't lost any weight, in fact she's looking well. Her face is swollen and her jaw is mucky but from a distance you wouldn't know she was poorly. She goes out four 4 hours a day on a bare paddock and manages to graze. The sparkle hasn't gone from her eyes, she's so affectionate to us, which makes visiting her even more upseting with these thoughts going through my head. I need to find out the prognosis from someone not financially involved. If infections are really hard to deal with in humans post-op, they must be a nightmare in horses who don't live in a sterile environment. My friend, a physiotherapist, felt the prognosis was poor.
 
What an awful situation. I think that Liphook would tell you that enough is enough if the surgeon really thought that was the position.

Hugs and vibes. Can't even begin to think what you must be going through.
 
First of all (((((hugs)))))
It is a very difficult decision to make and one ultimately that only you can make. Everyone can give you advice and opinions on what to do or what they would do.
Personally I would take into account her age, what she has given you and your family over the years since you've had her and then weigh up putting her through more surgery. Ask the surgeons what the odds are on the surgery working or not? By the sounds of it your mare owes you nothing and however hard it may be for you and your daughters I'm sure you'll make the decision that is best for her. It's hard but the least we can do for the love, happiness, affection and loyalty they give us in return.
Had to make the decision to PTS Higgs when he had grass sickness and it was one of the most difficult decisions I've ever had to make, however I made the decision to have him PTS before he could suffer as that was the last thing I wanted. Sorry for my ramblings
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If she's still got her sparkle & seems happy in herself then, if you can afford it, I'd give it a try. Horses seem to be able to cope with a lot more than humans, having spent a week & a half in the vet hospital with mine I've been amazed at some of the things I've seen horses get over (& how quickly).
 
I can't comment on your case in particular but having worked at Liphook for 5 years, if the surgeon thought the prognosis was hopeless then they would tell you, they definitely would not operate just for the money. I hope this helps from someone who has seen it from the other side.
 
I am not familiar with the sort of problem you are having, but Liphook saved my horse's life and I felt were totally honest. My mare, at 25 , had a third of her gut removed and the vets were nothing but totally upfront and honest. The prognosis was very poor and they checked several times that I really did want to go ahead with the op - definitely worth it, 8 years down the line she's still going strong. I really didn't get the impression they were money grabbing. Good luck, I hope it works out for you.
 
If she is a cob of a lifetime she will be hard to replace so I would go with the vets advice if you can afford it. Get the metal work out and go from there. I think we often worry too much about pain in a horse. We live with pain when we are injured. I think horses can too if it is short term and getting easier. If the sparkle had gone from her eye I would say call it a day but whilst she is still fighting then I would fight too.
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There is a risk with GA but without it she will have constant infections from the metalwork. It isnt an easy decision but Liphook is a good place. I would make it clear to them that she has gone beyond her insurance though. Lots of vets will offer payment by instalment in these scenarios.

If you have her PTS against the advice of the vet, the insurance may not pay for loss of the horse so another thing to consider. It may be financially more viable to have the op. I know it doesnt really come down to finances but if you dont get paid for her loss and then have to replace her it will cost a lot more. If however she has to be PTS on vets instructions due to the infection you may get a payment and be able to replace her. I know that sounds really callous but I am just trying to point out that financially you could be worse off so dont let finances affect your decision if possible.

Good luck with whatever you decide. It is your horse and you know her best.
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Personally i think she has a fighting chance and from what you say she is worth fighting for!
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My friend had a young mare (3YO) that also broke her jaw in a freak accident in the field. She had done a somerault after jumping the fence. She had several months of hell as a tooth root was cracked and she got an infection in the socket which exuded pus and serum for weeks. There was fear that it may all spread to the bone, and TBH I am not sure whether it did or not.
Eventually, However after very high doses of anti-biotics, she made a full recovery.
She still had some adult teeth erupting so for a time it was very much touch and go.

I would definitely get a second opinion, but if she still looks well and has that sparkle still I would not give up on her yet. 17 is not particularly old and if she is generally healthy she may have a good few years left in her if she can overcome this.
Liphook are very good.

((Big Hugs)) and best wishes for you both.
 
Thank you all so much for your comments and advice. Its really appreciated. I think Liphook did a great job with her, its just where to go from here.
 
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