Thanks for advice re feeding bute to elderly horse

[Jemima44]

Thank you all for your sage advice. Dad is using a syringe - easier than the old cow drenching bottle he started with! She has never been in the least bit interested in trying treat-type foods, except for carrots or apples, even thought they might be easiest of all.

Dad shut her in her large field shelter with plenty of bedding as she was very lame, but the combination of her back and hindquarters being very weak, due to extreme old age, and the painful fetlock, meant she became on the second night. She was also not eating Hi-Fi Senior so he thought it best to let her out and I am told she is grazing and is moving halfway up the 3 1/2 acre field.

I think he felt her time had come, but she seems to be improving and he hopes to keep her going a while longer. I will review her situation when I return home for Christmas holidays. She was my teenage event horse whom I have owned for 30 years and I have found the last year a bit difficult as she starts to fail and I am home only 3 months of the year and cannot keep my own eye on her.

 

[catherinep]

Hi,

I lost my old horse on Boxing Day last year - so have some experience of this....

You can get bute ready made up in syringes or mix with a little milk power and veg oil and make it up yourself. Bear in mind that Bute is pretty tough on their digestive systems, esp in older horses.

The weather is coming in now - if she can't move about, she may find it difficult to keep warm....it is the toughest decision but also the kindest, when the time is right.... My grandmother lost 2 of her best friends last year and wished that she clould have helped them as I was able to help my old boy to go with some dignity.

Sorry this is all a bit serious..... my horse was 32 and the vet and the kennelsman were absolutely lovely and treated us both with immense respect and kindness - I had dreaded him going for years and in the end could not have hoped for a more peaceful and dignified end.

Don't leave it till Christmas if she is struggling.....if she isn't going to get better, then have a chat with the vet yourself and take their advice.

Catherine

 

[Jemima44]

Thanks for your comments - will take note of your experience and advice.