BuzzyBea
Well-Known Member
So many of you took the time to wish Magic well during our recent stressful times when we weren't sure that he would make it or that we would ever find a solution to his colic. Thought you might appreciate an update.
He had surgery last Thursday (15th Jan.) Inside he gives the impression of a healthy horse, except for some thickening to the colon and the small intestine so biopsies were taken. Results showed Inflammatory Bowel Disease. He receovered well at Rossdales and was allowed to come home on Wednesday, just 6 days after surgery.
You can probably imagine that we were terrified to have him home, especially as the plan was to let him recover from the op and then start steroids on 29.1. Effectively we brought him home with nothing having changed except surgery and a diagnosis. No treatment had started. True to form after 5 minutes back in his stable he started to scrape and look 'down.' Phoned the vet who suggested walking and bute and to call our vet if no better. Fortunatly he got no worse and the next morning the Rossdale's vet called to suggest that we start the steroids early so has been taking them since Thursday morning.
So far so good and I can honestly say that he is starting to look like the old Magic. Bright, alert and happy. It's early days but I allowed myself to be a bit hopeful of recovery yesterday.
He will be on a different diet although we are making changes slowly. We will for certain have to reduce the suggested amounts though as he is stuffed with the huge quantity (and he's a pig!!), so much so that he isn't eating his hay.
Our intital stage is box rest for 6 weeks with small periods of in hand grazing and walking. Luckily he is a very chilled out boy and is happy to stay in alone for a few hours a day until the other three come back and join him.
Therefore so far so good...long may it continue!!
He had surgery last Thursday (15th Jan.) Inside he gives the impression of a healthy horse, except for some thickening to the colon and the small intestine so biopsies were taken. Results showed Inflammatory Bowel Disease. He receovered well at Rossdales and was allowed to come home on Wednesday, just 6 days after surgery.
You can probably imagine that we were terrified to have him home, especially as the plan was to let him recover from the op and then start steroids on 29.1. Effectively we brought him home with nothing having changed except surgery and a diagnosis. No treatment had started. True to form after 5 minutes back in his stable he started to scrape and look 'down.' Phoned the vet who suggested walking and bute and to call our vet if no better. Fortunatly he got no worse and the next morning the Rossdale's vet called to suggest that we start the steroids early so has been taking them since Thursday morning.
So far so good and I can honestly say that he is starting to look like the old Magic. Bright, alert and happy. It's early days but I allowed myself to be a bit hopeful of recovery yesterday.
He will be on a different diet although we are making changes slowly. We will for certain have to reduce the suggested amounts though as he is stuffed with the huge quantity (and he's a pig!!), so much so that he isn't eating his hay.
Our intital stage is box rest for 6 weeks with small periods of in hand grazing and walking. Luckily he is a very chilled out boy and is happy to stay in alone for a few hours a day until the other three come back and join him.
Therefore so far so good...long may it continue!!