Vent: got a quote in for keratoma surgery and I can’t afford it

khalswitz

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Agree looks amazing, can I ask what you have been dressing it with?
Yeah of course. Vet has had me wash it with iodine solution, then pack the hole with iodine soaked swabs (hence the keratin is black).

I’ve then been wrapping it in a knitted conforming bandage, then vet wrap and then duct tape. I also bought a very large poultice boot (only £25) which I’ve been putting on over the top, and the vet was quite impressed with that - but she has finally trashed it after six weeks!

I’ve been changing the bandage twice a week, and we reckon she has maybe 2-4 more bandage changes now at a max. Vet will see it next week to confirm!

We’ve gone through way less bandaging material than I expected. After my last horse had a horrific injury and five months box rest, I know what to expect from endless bandaging materials… but this hasn’t really been too bad.

Paid up the final bill at the end of the month as well, and the surgery, bandaging materials, farrier, extra hay and straw, toys for the box, a couple of vet call outs for bandage changes initially, and her initial X-rays all together came in at about ⅔ what the referral quote was I was given and much more like what I was expecting!
 
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khalswitz

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So… Mary is out in the field!

She has gotten the all clear for turnout and for four weeks of walk work - going to start long reining as she’s lost top line, before getting on. She is a little lame in the field but the farrier said he took a lot of hoof off and that banging in nails may have upset it a little, so waiting to see if that dies down before doing anything.

She’s of course immediately come into season and has turned into a nightmare to handle because she doesn’t want to be taken away from her friends, but she was like this when she first arrived as well so I know we’ll get there eventually if I persevere.

So eight weeks box rest was the end up, and I guess we see how the rest of the recovery goes from here!
 

khalswitz

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Last update on Mary. She’s been out since early Oct, and she was a bit lame after being turned out so was on Bute for seven weeks. At her last shoeing she got normal shoes on with no pads as the white line has regrown completely, she’s sound now the pads etc are all out, and after Xmas I will be hopping back on!

So five months from op to being essentially back to normal. The foot still has a reasonable bit of defect to grow out but it will be gone by spring. So good news all round :)

Here is her foot in mid Nov before her last shoeing - I haven’t actually taken a more recent one! But it’s probably an inch further down and smaller hole now.

IMG_4763.jpeg
 

khalswitz

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No, thank you all for being so supportive. It felt like the end of the world when this was all happening and the forum really helped me get a plan in place, and honestly it really hasn’t been as bad as I thought.

Mary and I have also really, really bonded on the ground during this time. She now asks to be scratched in certain spots and will mutual groom me, and I’ve done clicker training with her and taught her to go to a target, to stand still and to come to me when called. She calls to me every time she sees me which is very sweet. She really is a lovely character and is very settled now so I’m looking forward to getting going riding her now.
 
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