TwyfordM
Well-Known Member
Perhaps your vet can give you some sedative - for you.
I think I need them more than her at this point, but I’ll have to settle for a very alcoholic drink ?
The lami episode I was dreading ...
- Thread starter TwyfordM
- Start date
I think I need them more than her at this point, but I’ll have to settle for a very alcoholic drink ?
Pearlsacarolsinger
Up in the clouds
I'm glad that she is obviously feeling so much better!
TwyfordM
Well-Known Member
Not sure if wishful thinking but fat pads seem to have shrunk practically overnight too? ?
TwyfordM
Well-Known Member
Just heard from the vet, confirmed EMS too ??
Apparently insulin levels should be around 5 and hers are 56. She thinks they could be out of whack because her ACTH was high so we are going to wait until after blood tests next week to see if the pergolide paste dose needs to be increased or not before deciding which route to go down. May be able to bring it down with diet alone but if not she’ll have a course of levothyroxine to see if we can get it under control then manage with diet alone.
Not the news I wanted
Apparently insulin levels should be around 5 and hers are 56. She thinks they could be out of whack because her ACTH was high so we are going to wait until after blood tests next week to see if the pergolide paste dose needs to be increased or not before deciding which route to go down. May be able to bring it down with diet alone but if not she’ll have a course of levothyroxine to see if we can get it under control then manage with diet alone.
Not the news I wanted
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
Sorry about the news, but glad you are getting some answers.
.
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TwyfordM
Well-Known Member
Just got a copy of X-rays, haven’t had time to study in massive detail yet/compare to older ones. But vet reckons toe and heels back should bring everything into alignment, apart from the sinking obviously. Thankfully she’s always had nice tough little feet so fingers crossed ??
scats
Well-Known Member
I’m joining you. Polly walked in a bit slowly but seemed fine, so deep bed and soaked hay (always has soaked hay)etc. 8 hours later she was holding one foot up and very sore. Vet been and diagnosed lami, worse in left fore. No reaction to hoof testers, no heat, but mild pulse in the left. Very, very sore.
X-rays showed nothing too concerning, thankfully. No sinking, 6degrees rotation on bad foot and 4 on other, but given how sore she is, vet was very relieved and prognosis is good.
Seems to be EMS related. She is always muzzled overnight on a grazed down field and has hay that is soaked for 12 hours. Feed is just a token of chaff for supplement.
She’s already very annoyed at being in. Vet back in 2 weeks.
X-rays showed nothing too concerning, thankfully. No sinking, 6degrees rotation on bad foot and 4 on other, but given how sore she is, vet was very relieved and prognosis is good.
Seems to be EMS related. She is always muzzled overnight on a grazed down field and has hay that is soaked for 12 hours. Feed is just a token of chaff for supplement.
She’s already very annoyed at being in. Vet back in 2 weeks.
TwyfordM
Well-Known Member
Ah not good
So frustrating isn’t it, you can be doing everything right and still not get anywhere. Madam is looking pretty good in stable but holding off walking her outside to check until next weeks vet visit. Also trying to remember she’s on more bute now so may just be masking it, who knows. Fingers crossed for the pair of them
ILuvCowparsely
Well-Known Member
jeeze i get a warning against this reply just because i made a typo i meant to say styrofoam pads with * DUCK TAPE, *and made a typo in my haste to spell out a rude word. Better go sit in the corner, obviously not allowed to make typos
SEL
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure what units your vet is giving the insulin results in but usually sub 20 is ok. 56 still EMS but the little welshie on our yard was over 300 in her lami episode so I'd say 56 isn't awful.Just heard from the vet, confirmed EMS too ??
Apparently insulin levels should be around 5 and hers are 56. She thinks they could be out of whack because her ACTH was high so we are going to wait until after blood tests next week to see if the pergolide paste dose needs to be increased or not before deciding which route to go down. May be able to bring it down with diet alone but if not she’ll have a course of levothyroxine to see if we can get it under control then manage with diet alone.
Not the news I wanted
Levothyroxine is hideously expensive. I've just had one diagnosed with a thyroid issue and the cost for 6 weeks is £500. Maybe a pony will need less but I'm debating which organ to sell. I hope you can sort with diet!
TwyfordM
Well-Known Member
Yeah vet said should be around 5 but anything under 20 and they’re not worried. Not horrendously high so we are waiting to retest Cushings levels next week to see if pergolide dose is enough. If Cushings is under control now but insulin is still high going to try it, vet quoted £200 ish for a months supply as she’s only small.
Had to take her out the stable last night as she had a meltdown over purple spray bottle on the door and started freaking out while I was trying to skip out. Fine on a straight line but still a bit sore turning. But again... that’s on bute so who knows.
scats
Well-Known Member
We’ve been having a nightmare with Polly as she is a chronic box walker. She is annihilating her deep bed morning and night to the point that she is standing on the rubber matting and there are no whole poos to pick up as the whole thing is just a mulch of bed that’s been pushed to the banks. She’s screaming and getting herself in a frenzy and I’m turning up to one bounding pulse, presumably from the box walking. It’s never felt like that before, even on grass.
The vet gave us permission to turn her out in the manège for half an hour morning and evening with Millie next door, as she was getting in such a state. Pulse calms after her time out. She’s walking completely sound and on turns but is still on danilon, but she comes back in and the box walking starts again, plus screaming and sweating. I have had a chat with my mum and made an executive decision that we are going to have to manage this slightly differently, given Polly’s slightly odd nature, so she is going to be out in a pen overnight. Box resting is just not the way to go for her.
The vet gave us permission to turn her out in the manège for half an hour morning and evening with Millie next door, as she was getting in such a state. Pulse calms after her time out. She’s walking completely sound and on turns but is still on danilon, but she comes back in and the box walking starts again, plus screaming and sweating. I have had a chat with my mum and made an executive decision that we are going to have to manage this slightly differently, given Polly’s slightly odd nature, so she is going to be out in a pen overnight. Box resting is just not the way to go for her.
TwyfordM
Well-Known Member
Ooh not good at all, I think sometimes it’s more sensible to work with what works for the individual horse , rather than the traditional box rest. Thankfully mystis been there and got the t shirt with box rest by now. As a youngster she only coped if I kept my other mare in too, but now even alone she’s not fussed thankfully.
I have a feeling it’s the pergolide causing the odd behaviour + upping the bute so she’s not being as careful.
I did have to get her out and tie her up outside last night to avoid getting accidentally smooshed ??
But she walked out sound in a straight line, still a bit sore turning but that’s on a full sachet of bute a day for a 200kg pony ?Vet doesn’t want her off the bed at the mo but said worst case scenario just don’t walk her further then tie ring closest and limit the time she’s out.
She’s got cold feet/no pulses now though so I’m hoping we are in a slightly better position than a week ago ??
TwyfordM
Well-Known Member
According to weight via measurements rather than weigh tape she’s gone from 217kgs to 215kgs in a week so going the right direction finally ?
scats
Well-Known Member
That’s super news!
We can’t get a weight tape near Polly She is so tucked up through stress but her crest is still far bigger than I’d like.
Headed down now to see what state my bed is in. It was deep and thick this morning when I left. I’ll take a picture of the destruction this evening.
We can’t get a weight tape near Polly
She is so tucked up through stress but her crest is still far bigger than I’d like. Headed down now to see what state my bed is in. It was deep and thick this morning when I left. I’ll take a picture of the destruction this evening.
Shilasdair
Patting her thylacine
jeeze i get a warning against this reply just because i made a typo i meant to say styrofoam pads with * DUCK TAPE, *and made a typo in my haste to spell out a rude word. Better go sit in the corner, obviously not allowed to make typos
So tempted to report this post - you shouldn't be taping innocent ducks.
TwyfordM
Well-Known Member
That’s super news!
We can’t get a weight tape near Polly
Headed down now to see what state my bed is in. It was deep and thick this morning when I left. I’ll take a picture of the destruction this evening.
I think she gave up with the dramatics because of the heat ?
Good luck ??
TwyfordM
Well-Known Member
Had our first trim to start getting toes and heels back today, was good as gold for farrier. I’m lucky he really took his time when I first started using him getting her to trust him, so we don’t get the same drama the vets do! Has very much paid off now ? vet tomorrow, we just have to hope she doesn’t kill one of us when she clocks the needle ???
?? Finally levels heading in the right direction
Jeni the dragon
Well-Known Member
Keeping my fingers crossed for everyone struggling at the moment!
scats
Well-Known Member
She’s looking good! Polly is in a pen overnight as we just couldn’t keep her box rested. The amount of stress she has caused me this week!
TwyfordM
Well-Known Member
It’s honestly soooo stressful isn’t it. I feel like those fat pads are finally shifting which hopefully will make all the difference ?? I’m really holding my breath with the whole trimming situation, I know she’s only going to get fully better if it’s sorted, but feels so wrong to trim while she’s sore.
She was so good despite everything though so hopefully wasn’t too uncomfortable
scats
Well-Known Member
Polly has lost a lot of weight off her belly, which wasn’t particularly big to begin with (ribs easily felt), but crest is just not shifting. It’s so disheartening as I know it’s the crest that is causing us the issues.
Everytime I am due down to the yard I have a feeling of dread incase she’s taken a turn for the worse. We’ve already made our minds up that if she was to get significantly worse, we will call it a day. She has many other issues- PSD, hock arthritis and SI joint disease. We have always said she has a home for life, regardless of whether she has to fully retire, but we aren’t prepared to put her through anything really stressful. Fortunately our vet is on board with it. He knows her and how unusual she is, so we are trying to manage this in a ‘Polly friendly’ way.
TwyfordM
Well-Known Member
Totally understand, she’s 17 so not horrendously old but she’s has issues in the past with liver etc so the amount of bute it’s taking to keep her comfy is worrying. Plus she managed to have a rotational fall in the field trying to jump a 5 bar gate (she’s 12hh ??
) and fractured a few vertebrae which have surprisingly healed up nicely and the neurological unsoundness is all but gone. But I’m aware both issues will probably catch up with her in the end. Not to mention the metabolic side is likely to get more difficult to manage. If she wasn’t so full of life and determined to keep going I’d be making the call now. But she’s honestly such a little fighter. Surprises me every time
scats
Well-Known Member
Totally understand, she’s 17 so not horrendously old but she’s has issues in the past with liver etc so the amount of bute it’s taking to keep her comfy is worrying. Plus she managed to have a rotational fall in the field trying to jump a 5 bar gate (she’s 12hh ??
It’s such a fine balance isn’t it? So glad your pony is doing well. I blame myself for Polly, I took my eye off the ball a couple of summers ago and the crest appeared. It was when Diva was ill that summer and I was so pre-occupied with her that I just didn’t watch Polly’s weight enough. I feel eternally guilty for that and I feel that it’s finally caught up with us, but I will do everything I can to get her through this. She looked fantastic tonight, with a spring in her step. Trying not to get my hopes up too much though.
TwyfordM
Well-Known Member
Don’t beat yourself up about it. I’m in exactly the same boat. She was looking so well/no signs of Cushings levels going up so I unfortunately relaxed too much and the grass shooting up massively caught me out ??
I’ve been thinking the same as you but also I know it probably wasn’t an IF she got another case of laminitis it was WHEN. You just don’t know what’s going on metabolically without regular testing, which just isn’t feasible until you reach the points where meds are needed.Thankfully acted quickly and she was in and feet iced/full lami diet from the onset of the teeniest bit of soreness. Think that may have saved us from a worse outcome but who knows ?
Could have made no difference at all!I’ve been going over and over in my head, do I call it now? Has she been through enough already? Is it fair to carry on? Is it sensible financially to throw lots of money (as she’s obviously not covered for this) at a situation that may well not improve (I mean it’s clearly not but I can’t justify putting her to sleep because of that even though sensible part of my brain is thinking it!)
I honestly feel like it’s a knife edge, could slip off at any given moment if she suddenly takes a turn for the worst/other issues crop up etc
I’ve also seen other people fight and fight to save their horses because they can’t bare the thought of loosing them when from an outside perspective it is hopeless/questionable quality of life. I don’t want to be that person either ??
I do however have the option of restricted turnout etc and a YO that’s understanding of my situation which makes at least trying to reach that point a possibility.
There’s not a single easy answer to any of it.
Annoyingly just missed a call from the Vet with results so now have to wait for them to call tomorrow ??
brighteyes
Pooh-Bah
I decided I wasn't going to medicate for PPID but when it came down to it I couldn't risk laminitis so I did. I'm glad I did and am now hoping the pink pill keeps it at bay because I don't think I could put either of them through the 'laminitis fight'. You don't know until you are there, though.
TwyfordM
Well-Known Member
Walked out pretty well tonight ??
Seems comfortable after trim which I’m taking as a good sign, bute dropped down tonight to half a sachet. Weight is falling off her now too. Let’s hope she’s still happy tomorrow because we flew out that stable tonight prancing and trying to pinch everyone’s feed ???
Seems comfortable after trim which I’m taking as a good sign, bute dropped down tonight to half a sachet. Weight is falling off her now too. Let’s hope she’s still happy tomorrow because we flew out that stable tonight prancing and trying to pinch everyone’s feed ??
?
scats
Well-Known Member
Walked out pretty well tonight ??
Seems comfortable after trim which I’m taking as a good sign, bute dropped down tonight to half a sachet. Weight is falling off her now too. Let’s hope she’s still happy tomorrow because we flew out that stable tonight prancing and trying to pinch everyone’s feed ??
Excellent news! We’re down to half Danilon now too. Weight loss on Polly looking very noticeable on her body, but crest isn’t budging.
Lucky Snowball
Well-Known Member
Really feel for those of you struggling at the moment and wishing you good vibes and luck.
TwyfordM
Well-Known Member
Finally some good news .....
ACTH results back and she’s now at 32. So pretty much within the normal range ? that’s just with 1ml of the Bova paste too so won’t cost me a fortune moving forwards and no side effects as far as I can tell so far!
Insulin they didn’t test yet we think it’s too soon, so no idea if that’s going to be an issue yet but as she’s finally making some progress towards soundness/dropping down bute with her still looking ok and no heat/pulses for a while .. so everything crossed diet alone is doing it ??
Not quite out of the woods but there’s finally a light at the end of the tunnel
Comfortable enough to fidget about as usual while I got her out to check how she was doing
ACTH results back and she’s now at 32. So pretty much within the normal range ? that’s just with 1ml of the Bova paste too so won’t cost me a fortune moving forwards and no side effects as far as I can tell so far!
Insulin they didn’t test yet we think it’s too soon, so no idea if that’s going to be an issue yet but as she’s finally making some progress towards soundness/dropping down bute with her still looking ok and no heat/pulses for a while .. so everything crossed diet alone is doing it ??
Not quite out of the woods but there’s finally a light at the end of the tunnel
Comfortable enough to fidget about as usual while I got her out to check how she was doing