Stressed

[ridefast]

Well, lots of good advice re RSPCA and Prince. As for your mare, magnesium oxide is good for laminitics and you could also try a tablespoon of salt in her feed (make sure it is simple table salt with no caking agent) has helped my laminitic pony when he has been footy just to bring down pulses and heat

 

[babymare]

Oh jess . you poor thing to go through this. we have all sat and applauded you. we have seen prince go from a lost cause to a horse with a twinkle in his eye slowly building the weight but with life in that dead eye . now this. come on forum lets just stick behind her. Giving all info is hard by typing all the "they said i said". On wednesday you have someone with you? Someone able to listen with good ears and talk on your behalf ? Good. You trust your vet and vet saw prince before he came to you ? As someone as said put together all info you can think of(rspca note left,write down dates of conversations with rspca bhs vets everything even screen shots of here anything and everything photos before and after. ) methodically in a file. Get thinking girl. This is pure ***** whats happening but use these days to put together a portfolio for want of better words before you got prince and after. battle plan sweetheart keep strong . you have given prince a second chance and his eyes ears and face speaks volumes come on girl rather than worry(easy to say) use that energy get prepared to say to the rspca "This is prince . NOW ! Big hugs x x x

 

[TandD]

If you can afford it it may be a good idea to get a second, completely independent opinion of your horses condition and increase in condition.

However it must be a vet that has no idea about the on going case......just give previous medical history and get the vets opinion. This will then give you an idea of what you should do and the report can be given to the RSPCA.

Good luck!

 

[AmyMay]

No Moomin, you've simply repeated what advice has previously been given - with your own little spin.

So I'll ask you again to back off op. You have nothing of value to add to the discussion. Except to cause intentional upset.

 

[Moomin1]

No Moomin, you've simply repeated what advice has previously been given - with your own little spin.

So I'll ask you again to back off op. You have nothing of value to add to the discussion. Except to cause intentional upset.

Oh get a grip. Not sure who you actually think you are?

 

[AmyMay]

Not sure who you actually think you are?

Simply someone trying to support the op.

 

[lula]

Oh get a grip. Not sure who you actually think you are?

Isnt she Amymay?

Whether you mean to or not Moomin, you do posess what my dear old mum would call 'not a very good bedside manner'

 

[MileAMinute]

So I'll ask you again to back off op. You have nothing of value to add to the discussion. Except to cause intentional upset.

Mooms, you best do what she says and back off. I mean, you shouldn't offer advice, or even comment, it is a public forum after all!

Ridiculous.

 

[doriangrey]

The last bit sounded harsh, what i mean is its hard to pass over every scrap of information when im trying to process it all myself. vet is coming, to check him over for my sake, and because the rspca have ordered me to get a vet out within 10-14 days. I feel that by not getting the vet out it looks like im hiding something, its also good to check up on princes liver damage and heart condition.

The vet will be coming on wednesday and a HHO member will be coming with a clear and realistic mind to handle the vet check with me

Ah, I didn't realise he had liver damage and a heart condition. Does he require meds? The main thing is you've done wonders for him, I do hope things work out for you because you deserve it and so does Prince.

 

[JinglebellJessi & MistletoeMagic]

The liver damage was discovered in the previous vet check that his last owner did. I mentioned it in a previous thread as well as the heart condition, i cant remember what its called, something to do with the ventricles not working properly, commonly seen in racehorses. The vet said an operation to correct the heart is undertaken but we obviously wouldnt consider that for prince for many reasons. We need to check up on these things incase princes weight gain, or amount of food hes eating is affecting either. This is my idea, not the vet or rspcas, i imagine these conditions may change but i dont know.

Oh and no meds, they werent mentioned, just the treatment for the heart condition, but she did not suggest it for prince.

 

[jrp204]

Follow on from earlier conversation with AHO
Me
It was on the same livery yard as her horse. I think the vet has seen it, instructed by her. Does she have to allow a RSPCA appointed vet to see it?
Today

5:53pm
Animal health officer
no, they will have no power to onto the land (except a foot path), only the police and us have powers of entry for welfare. If her own vet is now working for the RSPCA there would be a conflict of interest.
it looks like old posts, the august ones refer to the rspca.

I had linked the blog to him. Hope this clarifies things.

 

[digitalangel]

atrial fibrillation ( i have it haha ) and it wont affect his weight. jess get another vet to see him this one has conflict of interest!

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Mooms, you best do what she says and back off. I mean, you shouldn't offer advice, or even comment, it is a public forum after all!

Ridiculous.

Coz this is sooooo helpful...........................NOT

 

[MileAMinute]

Coz this is sooooo helpful...........................NOT

And that ^^ is?

 

[piebaldsparkle]

jess get another vet to see him this one has conflict of interest!

^^This

No way I would being paying for the services of a vet who is also representing the RSPCA.

 

[Queenbee]

Op so sorry, I have just read this, it's absolutely shocking. The heart condition may well. Have been triggered by his low weight, as a horse looses weight the viscosity of the blood increases and it makes it harder work for the heart to pump it around, underweight horses often develop heart murmurs, that said, it shouldn't be a factor if its not too severe. Prince to me, looks like a normal recovery case, a way to go but sure and certain improvement.

On the one hand I agree that using your current vet could present a conflict, however on the other hand I would still have her come and assess prince as she has seen him before and monitored his progress. I would also be straight on the phone to another veteranairy practice and getting another vet out for a second opinion, providing them with photos, measurements etcetera. To my mind, if a horse is seen to be making an improvement if only a small one, then that is indication that he is worth fighting for.

I would not agree to the RSPCA coming on my property, I would also make it clear in writing that the vet is allowed on the property as your vet, and not in the capacity of representative/assessor of the RSPCA. I would acess all threads relating to prince in addition to your blog, save them to computer and print them. If the RSPCA indicate that they wish for the animal to be destroyed, I would be fighting this, ensuring that they take the matter to court to which you will provide all the evidence you have. There is no way (sorry moomin) that I would take the assessment of one vet and the word of the RSPCA on the fate of any horse. Just remember, as someone has already said carrot and spud were in a far worse state and the RSPCA and their vet assessed them and thought the best course of action was to leave them in the field with no action taken! Get yourself a good equine vet for a second opinion, and get yourself armed incase you need to battle them and know that there are people on here who can and will help you fight for prince if it comes to it. I'm not saying that the RSPCA aren't right, they may be, but most of the time where horses are involved they aren't, I don't care if your vet is a blood relative, top of her field and you have used her all your life, do not just take one specialists opinion and allow them to rule on his fate.

 

[maccachic]

Im new to this story so correct me if I have it wrong, but the RSPCA were not concerned with the owner who let this horse get into this condition, but now it has been taken on by someone else who has improved his condition RSPCA are all of a sudden interested and dictating terms?

Seems to me a complaint needs to be laid higher up the chain in regards to the treatment of this horse by this organisation.

 

[Sven]

I've been thinking whilst mucking out this morning and if this were me and based on what I know (which I know can't possibly be everything) I would have the vet visit tell her that going forward that I would be using another vet for Prince as I was concerned she was conflicted and did not want to compromise her. I would say that I have taken on board her advice and after consideration and a review of my situation and with the support I have, I have DECIDED to keep Prince going for at least another six months till the spring, and then review again. OF COURSE if there was any deterioration in his condition I would do the necessary.

I would the write to the RSPCA tell them all of the above, and include the story of my association with him. Tell them that in future if they want to see Prince they need to give me written notice and arrange a convenient time. I would include the fact that as he has achieved 100% weight gain (not sure on this but give a percentage) I wish to continue his rehabilitation. I would also state that all future communication must be in writing to ensure no misunderstandings. I would also add the BHS involvement.


You have to make a case sweetie.

I see no point in getting into a spat with them, you must show them that you are a grown up, you have support, and that you won't be bullied. Getting into a fight now will not help your case, so keep calm and carry on !

 

[Jaycee]

There is an interesting news feature on www.news.rspca.org.uk regarding a mare and foal reunited with owner after being stolen 6 years ago, it states that the ponies were malnurished and weak (one of them could hardly stand) and that it took 6 MONTHS before they were anywhere near back to their correct weight.

Clearly the officer who deemed that Prince should be back upto weight in a month had no idea what they were talking about!
Incidentally I had a horse that was 250kg underweight when I took her on loan, (long story as to why she was in that condition) she certainly took longer than a month, if I remember rightly it was closer to a year before she was her target weight!

 

[SonnysHumanSlave]

Im only in Ipswich so really really close, if you want I can pm you my number and if you want some back up/witnesses when they come, I can come and assist you. Only like 5 mins away.

 

[Bigbenji]

Please let us know how things go today. So many of us are rooting for Prince.
Hopefully you have someone with you to offer support.

 

[_GG_]

Please let us know how things go today. So many of us are rooting for Prince.
Hopefully you have someone with you to offer support.

Well remembered...

Jess, good luck today, I hope your HHO friend can be a great support to you today. Do let us know how you get on as Bigbenji says and also, another one saying you have lots of people thinking of you and Prince

 

[Adopter]

Been thinking about you and Prince all week, sending positive vibes for today.

 

[JinglebellJessi & MistletoeMagic]

Its tomorrow now, hho lady couldnt make today and i would be useless alone. I will update when everything is done, it still a mystery, could be bloods taken and they may take a while to come back. I just dont know, but right now hes cosy, his usual grumpy self and eating. Im currently atop kyra about to trot some spirals and straights trying to feel for anything odd, shes been sound on trot ups all week but i havent ridden her in so long everything feels different, vet said if shes still lame shes check tomorrow. How long would it take a recovered laminitic to come back into work?

 

[babymare]

Well keep us updated jess.another sneaking on at work for update x x

 

[AmyMay]

Good luck today!

 

[teacups]

Bit late in the day, but is there any chance the visit could be video'd? It would provide a completely independent record, and you could also play it back to check what the vet said.

Apart from that, good luck!

 

[southerncomfort]

Good luck Jess! Thinking of you today.

 

[Dollysox]

And another good luck for you today. Will be keeping everything crossed for you.

 

[dianchi]

Good Luck! Fingers x!