swelling oozing - any suggestions?

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Montyandzoom, I'm a "difficult person" because I took the word of someone I do not know who wrote in plain English, with considerable emphasis, that they could not afford to pay a vet bill? I wish everyone I met was as "difficult" as me.

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It is odd that everyone else took that 'plain english' to mean something different to the way you took it.

I for one am glad that everyone I meet is not as difficult as you otherwise I would have to emigrate.
 
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You seem to think that its an imposition to pay your vet in stages....its a service my vet OFFERS. And if he has no issue with it, then I dont see why you should have either.

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You didn't read my post poppymoo:

"unless your vet offers you those terms up front before any incident has happened" is what I wrote which clearly covers you and your vet.
 
Perhaps M&Z...we live in the real world where disposable cash isn't really that disposable....theres always something that needs paying for.....and just because you dont have the cash to instantly pay a vets bill doesnt mean that it wont get paid within the 28 days or via an arrangement with your vet.

Perhaps 'the difficult one' does have plenty of spare cash and doesnt see think that the rest of us should own horses......
 
Cptrayes you didn't answer my question (although it may not have been obvious it was to you), on what your definition is of being able to pay a vets bill. I'm interested to hear if you operate from the same hymn sheet that you sing from??

And for those that do pay their bills by instalment, that is at the discretion of their vet who has every right to say no, as they do to say yes, and for that privilege I think they usually charge interest.

At the end of the day someone has said they cant afford to pay a vets bill, yet you don't know in what context tyhey meant this. They may have meant they cant afford to pay it now, cant afford to pay it until payday, cant afford to pay it at all, or whatever, I just don't get this whole jumping on someone on a forum because someone has typed four or five words that could be taken any which way. And reading the OP she has clearly already had the vet out in the first place, so its hardly a case of she cant afford to get the vet out at all. I think most of us would be cursing if we had to get a vet out twice in one month, particulary at christmas time, and I for one and well known for saying 'I cant afford' something when I can, I could just do without it....
 
Alsxx...I for one am guilty of saying ''I'm skint, I can't afford it''...when truly it means ''Oh God....that will have to wait until pay day''.

cptrayes...no , you are right I didnt see read your post correctly, for which I apologise.

But I still do feel you were harsh in your initial response....
 
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Those of you who know you would need your vet to take staged payments if something went badly wrong with your horse are simply taking advantage of a vet's obligation not to let an animal suffer. Would you expect to be able to do that to any other business? If your kitchen burned out tonight would you expect to walk into Comet and say - I'll have that cooker but I'll pay you when I can afford it?.

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Actually yes. Comet's credit options are available here:

http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/advice/637/Payment-Finance
 
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Those of you who know you would need your vet to take staged payments if something went badly wrong with your horse are simply taking advantage of a vet's obligation not to let an animal suffer. Would you expect to be able to do that to any other business? If your kitchen burned out tonight would you expect to walk into Comet and say - I'll have that cooker but I'll pay you when I can afford it?.

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Actually yes. Comet's credit options are available here:

http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/advice/637/Payment-Finance

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PMSL
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Perhaps 'the difficult one' does have plenty of spare cash and doesnt see think that the rest of us should own horses......

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Do you guys actually realise what you are arguing? All of you seem to hate me saying that people who cannot afford a vets bill should not keep a horse. In response, you come up with example after example of how you or someone else has found it hard to pay a bill, but found the money. Those people are not the ones that I am talking about.

Let's take the horse that I bought. It was seized by my vet to pay a bill that the owner could not clear, even on spread payment terms. Do you think it is right that that person kept a horse when he could not pay for what it needed, and that having realised that he could not pay he kept the horse until it was sold through a meat market, instead of finding her a decent home before that situation arose? It was only because it was my vet who treated her that I took the risk on buying a horse with a star fracture scar on her cannon bone. It I hadn't been there that day, she'd have been in a case of petfood.

Are you really saying that kind of owner is acceptable? And anyone who cannot pay their vet is potentially in that situation. How the devil I was supposed to know that the OP did not mean what she wrote is beyond me, but the principle applies even if it does not apply to her.
 
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http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/advice/637/Payment-Finance

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PMSL
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Nope, sorry, that's a commitment IN ADVANCE of the purchase, to pay a certain amount a month until it's paid off.

We are talking about services taken from a vet, with the belief by the vet that his bill will be settled in full, who AFTERWARDS is told that the customer cannot afford to pay. Not the same thing at all.


In effect, getting Comet to deliver your cooker and THEN trying to tell them that you aren't prepared to pay at the rate they expected, or telling them that you can't pay at all.

The only reason this happens is because vets have a duty not to let an animal suffer. If your tack gets nicked tonight try getting a new saddle on the basis that you'll pay whatever you feel like you can afford, when you feel you can afford it, and see how far you get. My guess is you'll be riding bareback for a while.

People who cannot really afford it can continue to keep horses because of the goodwill of the vets when those horses get sick. Personally, I don't think that's right for the horse or fair the Vet.
 
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http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/advice/637/Payment-Finance

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PMSL
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Nope, sorry, that's a commitment IN ADVANCE of the purchase, to pay a certain amount a month until it's paid off.

We are talking about services taken from a vet, with the belief by the vet that his bill will be settled in full, who AFTERWARDS is told that the customer cannot afford to pay. Not the same thing at all.


In effect, getting Comet to deliver your cooker and THEN trying to tell them that you aren't prepared to pay at the rate they expected, or telling them that you can't pay at all.

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Well not that I have ever used it, but my vets send out invoices after the event which state that to pay or to arrange payment terms, call them on xxxxx xxxxxx.....they cant be that worried about it or surely they wouldn't send it out in black and white on their bills. You never know, someone may take it the wrong way.
 
You keep refering to your horse that was seized by the vet in payment of the outstanding bill

Do you actually know that persons circumstances? How do you know whether they had suddenly been made redundant several years after buying their horse. MAYBE they could once afford the vets bills without even thinking about it, but through no fault of their own were not able to keep their horse. MAYBE it was an agreement between them and the vets and the horse wasnt "seized"?

Please do not make assumptions about people without knowing full facts
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Millyspaniel- Just wanted to say hope your mare gets sorted- at least there are no flies in sub zero temps to be pestering her oozing swelling. Hopefully antibiotics will sort it!

I bet you didn't expect your post to create such a heated debate! Still it's made some interesting reading.

I think that yet again the use of internet-text based communication has proven difficult in that the tone of voice/ attitude of those writing can easily be misinterpreted, especially by those who might be prone to taking the use of language literally, such as people with autism or aspergers .

Please note, I am certainly not implying that cptrayes has autism, or anything of the like. I work with people that are on the autistic spectrum, as an assistant psychologist and know that they would struggle with forums, owing to their interpretation of the english language being very literal.

We are all vulnerable to stating things that we don't mean literally. The english language is full of metaphors and phrases that would often be down right disturbing if interpreted literally. The fact that none of us are able to interpret each others tone of voice, body language etc just makes it far more easy to misinterpret what is truely meant in our posts.

The english language is complex. I think that we may need to remember this, when posting on any forums.
 
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You keep refering to your horse that was seized by the vet in payment of the outstanding bill

Do you actually know that persons circumstances? How do you know whether they had suddenly been made redundant several years after buying their horse. MAYBE they could once afford the vets bills without even thinking about it, but through no fault of their own were not able to keep their horse. MAYBE it was an agreement between them and the vets and the horse wasnt "seized"?

Please do not make assumptions about people without knowing full facts
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I really didn't think you would want to be any more bored by what I've been writing, but since you ask.

A County Court judgement found in favour of my vet for the non-payment of a bill of several thousand pounds. The County Sherriff seized the horse under warrant from a livery yard owned by friends of mine. The man who owned the horse had been given every opportunity to pay, offered a home for the mare by several people, and failed to take any opportunity to secure her future.

He has never had sufficient income to cover an emergency, he is just the kind of owner I am talking about. But if he had once had the means to keep a horse, then when his circumstances changed, and particularly when he knew that he could not pay that bill, he owed it to his horse to rehome her. He failed to do that and she was lucky not to end up in tins.
 
bl00dy hell! I think what the OP said was taken WAY too literally re not being able to afford another £50 call out fee. I think it was a figure of speech and nothing more, end of.
 
Thats where my horse would have ended up had I not have FOUND the money to get him treated.- - and when I say found the money, I dont mean that I raided my piggy bank

I borrowed, i used credit cards and I paid some off in kind (just kidding about that bit!
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), but the money wasnt just "there" - i wish i had that kind of money floating around

However I still have my boy, he's well fed, he's well looked after, he wants for nothing and he's happy but yes if I need to call the vet out tonight I would certainly be moaning the words "Oh, i cant afford this!", although the vet would still have his bill paid and my horse would still be treated

Life isnt so black and white
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You aren't going to want to hear this, but I feel obliged to write it for the sake of your horse.

If you cannot afford another £50 for a vet visit you really should think twice about whether you should be owning a horse at all.

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There seems to be a lot of vilification of cp, regarding her original post, but she does have a point. She hasn't been nasty just pointed out that if you can't afford £50 then can you really afford a horse ?

If I were genuinely worried that my horse was deteriorating with an already diagnosed problem I don't think I would be quibbling about £50.

I certainly wouldn't be posting on the forum saying I couldn't afford it, I'd phone the vet describe what was now happening and request their opinion. I am not loaded and would have to make choices re what not to have in order to pay the bill, but the vets opinion is what I would seek.

As most of you pointed out they probably didn't mean they couldn't afford it if they had to, but maybe that's what they should have said ! If cp took them at their word why are some of you being so mean in your comments ?
 
OK then cptrayes, how about this.

My horse fractured his pedal bone in January. He wasn't insured, my choice. If he had been insured they would have operated on it, but as it was we just left it to see what happened (after having xrays etc). I probably could have found the money for an operation from somewhere if I'd really had to, but I suppose I couldn't "really afford it". So does this make me a bad owner? Should I not have a horse?
 
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I wouldn't be able to afford a vet bill either. I am a student with no job and a horse. Do I have to get rid of my boy?

Every day I look out of my window and he is in the field warm, healthy and happy with no problems, he is shod, fed and has a more expensive wardrobe than me but because I wouldn't be able to afford a vet bill I shouldn't own him?!

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How incredibly irresponsible! What are you going to pay the vet with when he DOES need one? If you genuinely mean you cannot afford a vet bill, then NO, you should not be keeping a horse!

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and yet again you jump to conclusions, I left out a few critical factors that 1) my parents help me out wherever they can but this isn't often and 2) I get the money from the livery to pay for him oh and 3) I have a hell of a lot of savings if necessary.

Just because I don't work doesn't mean I don't have money.

I think a irresponsible owner is one that doesn't do anything if the horse needs a vet they really shouldn't have horses, just because I can't pay for it straight away doesn't mean I would let my horse suffer.
 
That rather depends on the outcome. I am totally with cptrayes on this one. I think the OP came across as asking for advice on here but would happily call the vet (again) if it was necessary. What worries me is the sheer, breathtaking stupidity of the person who said 'my horse is warm and fed even though I can't afford a vet'. (I paraphrase). So what happens when the horse gets ill or injured? Owning any animal from a goldfish to a horse means providing suitable medical care, and if you can't afford to do that, even at a push, then you shouldn't own an animal. End of.
 
The horse has seen a vet, has had antibiotics, and has said the would may well drain. The wound is draining by the sounds of it, and all you can do is keep it clean. If you have worries, and the horse appears to be in pain, is off its feed then call your vet. The chances are they will ask you what is going on and will advise you over the phone.

If the horse had not seen a vet, and was not on antibiotics then it would be different.

as far as i can see the OP has doen all they can by there horse, and was wondering if the vet would advise over the phone, or weather they would want to come out to check.

It woulld be pointless the vet comeing out just to confirm what they already know. The chances are if the horse seems happy, does not have a temp, and is eating and drinking and the site is draining and kept clean, they would advise to keep an eye on it, and will review on the thursday.

No one wants an unessisary vet visit, and we are not talkign about an injury or illness that has not already been seen by the vet. i dont see this as taking a shortcut in your horses health. I used to be a vet nurse so i am not just saying this.

All i woudl say is if you are concerned, then call the vet, and they will be there to advise you on the phone.

In regards to paying vet bills, most vets will offer a payment plan if the onwer is struggleing to pay huge vet bills, however ussualy this is aggreed to prior to the treatment.

A vet is not obliged to offer treatment, to customers who are bad payers. I knwo a few peopel who cant get a vet to treat there horse unless they pay up front., as they are known bad payers.

I have insurance for my horse becasue i know if anythign happened and the bill run into thousands i would struggle to find the money. I pay for all routeen things myself. I woudl nto have any animal that i coudl not afford to look after properly though and that is just how i am. Many people overstock with animals becasue they have a lot of love to offer, but the reality is that as a reasult the animals tend to be kept at a substandard. It is a gamble then, as the owners know that if the animal was to become ill, they couldl not afford to see them right. You cant rely on the fact that the vet may give you an advance. Many peopel in the current climate are finding them selfs unable to keep there horses to the same standards that they used to. However This dosnt mean in this instance they are bad horse owners, it just means that shoudl the need arise for the horse to need treatment they may find them self in a sticky situation.

 
The reason vets offer staggered payments is not because they are rich or generous but because they would rather get paid in instalments than not at all.

The OP may not have entirely meant what she said but I think CP has got a real point, and in other circumstances I believe many of you would be agreeing with her.

It is completely irresponsible to keep a live animal without planning for all eventualities in advance, and it is no secret that vet bills can be expensive.
 
I can totally sympathise with the OP's expression of her frustration at 'not being able to afford another £50 vet bill' I think we all ask ourselves the question before making the call, 'do I really need to call the vet for this or can I save myself the bill by sorting it myself?' - We wouldn't be good horse owners if we didn't!!

Having had to have a vet out, and get endless amounts of new meds for my horse who has suffered from a relatively minor puncture wound but with horrendous swelling I am dreading getting the bill in January!!

Anyway. OP - a difficult location to work with but all I can think of is polticing or at least trying to hold a hot flannel or similar on it to draw 'oozy stuff' out... others may have more useful sugestions... Hope Ned gets mended soon xx
 
Come on guys its christmas!! whats with all the b*tching?!

Im sure alot of us could do without a vets bill at this time of year and i totally agree that if you can avoid getting the vet/dentistg out then we will but Im pretty sure that theres not one person here who wouldnt give there last penny if there horse really needed somehting! many of us would rather sell the clothes off our backs than let our horses go without!

That doesnt make us bad owners and i know my horse is ALOT better off than alot of other horses who dont get half as much attention and care and fun as mine do but twice as much money thrown at them!

Money isnt everything! please remember that!
 
QR to OP

speak to your vet just to give them an update, they will probably not be surprised and tell you to carry on as you were.

The rest of it, everyones situations are different and I think that everyone would be able to beg, borrow, steal
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- (disclaimer- figure of speech) money for veterinary treatment if they had to.

I have told my horse he can only be ill on a tuesday as that is free call out day
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Come on guys its christmas!! whats with all the b*tching?!

Im sure alot of us could do without a vets bill at this time of year and i totally agree that if you can avoid getting the vet/dentistg out then we will but Im pretty sure that theres not one person here who wouldnt give there last penny if there horse really needed somehting! many of us would rather sell the clothes off our backs than let our horses go without!

That doesnt make us bad owners and i know my horse is ALOT better off than alot of other horses who dont get half as much attention and care and fun as mine do but twice as much money thrown at them!

Money isnt everything! please remember that!

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Well put.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me here

As to everyone else, how dare you judge me, you dont even know me! i put a comment about a vet bill and you think that gives you the right to comment on my financial situation (which you clearly dont know anything about) and imply that i dont look after my horses properly.
I am not going to even bother giving you the satisfaction of explaining myself to you. What a rude and snotty lot you are, so does that mean because am not rolling in money/well paid job/inheritence whatever i shouldnt own a horse??
I thought the forum was about giving help and support, not making people less fortunate than themselves (or so they like to think) feel bad about themselves.
SHAME ON YOU!!!!!
 
Well i can't afford unexpected bills either, I'm a student, does that mean i can't have a horse! I know that if i was really in trouble i could find the money.
Therefore, i say 'i cannot afford' but it doesn't mean that 'i won't afford' theres a big difference!
 
Hey

I haven't read all the posts as I wanted to post this quite quickly so apologies if the advice has been done to death.

Definitely sounds like an abscess. Turbo's had four of these - 2 on his leg, one on his side and one under his chin. If it is don't panic there are comparatively easy to manage. If your able to use a syringe (without the needle) try and sluice it out as much as possible but abscesses are sore do your horse might not let you. Alternatively hose / wash / try and clean around the area as much as possible.

DO NOT do anything which will force dirt into the hole.

Also please don't do the whole sudocream thing as I find some people can do far too often. You want the pus to drain and don't want anything on it which can prevent it doing so.

My vet gave me a aerosol of TETCIN - its bright turquoise and its oxytetracycline which is antibiotic spray and great for bacteria. I've found this to be a godsend. Its doesn't make a ppiisshy noise the way regular sprays do and its not nippy so its really easy to apply.

Good luck. If it is an abscess the are a pain in the backside to deal with but probably won't leave any nasty aide effects
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Come on guys its christmas!! whats with all the b*tching?!

Im sure alot of us could do without a vets bill at this time of year and i totally agree that if you can avoid getting the vet/dentistg out then we will but Im pretty sure that theres not one person here who wouldnt give there last penny if there horse really needed somehting! many of us would rather sell the clothes off our backs than let our horses go without!

That doesnt make us bad owners and i know my horse is ALOT better off than alot of other horses who dont get half as much attention and care and fun as mine do but twice as much money thrown at them!

Money isnt everything! please remember that!

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Well put.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me here

As to everyone else, how dare you judge me, you dont even know me! i put a comment about a vet bill and you think that gives you the right to comment on my financial situation (which you clearly dont know anything about) and imply that i dont look after my horses properly.
I am not going to even bother giving you the satisfaction of explaining myself to you. What a rude and snotty lot you are, so does that mean because am not rolling in money/well paid job/inheritence whatever i shouldnt own a horse??
I thought the forum was about giving help and support, not making people less fortunate than themselves (or so they like to think) feel bad about themselves.
SHAME ON YOU!!!!!

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I think most people were actually supporting you and sticking up for you, I certainly was
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