Vet phobia- heart problem and teeth rasping... *headache*

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throughtheforest

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I own a 11hh welsh pony who was diagnosed as a youngster as having heart disease and a grade 4 heart murmur. We have owned him for 14 years now and he definitely suffers from an increased heart rate at rest through the warmer months. He's a very tough little fighter after being rescued as a young colt and just motors on.
As a field ornament he is still moving about and has a kick and a buck too but unfortunately he has a complete phobia of vets, needles and worming which means even routine treatment such as teeth rasping is hard to carry out without sedation.
We have gone years without any problems at all, he is sound in every other aspect healthwise apart from copd, but now it is becoming clear that he needs his teeth looking at. The last time he was sedated he didn't come around very well and to be honest I don't think he would come round at all from another one, so how are we going to get around this sedation issue to sort his teeth out? I'm thinking calmers (the instant dose in a syringe kind) maybe valerian and lots of work on bridling etc? Or is this the end now, obviously we are concerned about the summer and he will have adequate shade in a very open (breezy) field with tlc during the hottest hours (water poured over him)
I did post this last year on another site and virtually everyone suggested pts and he managed extremely well.
Anyone have anything to share and any ideas at all?
 
Have you talked to your Vet about the sedative that goes under the tongue? If he's bad with wormers, you might struggle to get it in the right place though (just in the mouth isn't good enough)
 
Not heard of that one Faracat. Worming him is certainly more do-able than injecting him but we still have the rearing etc. I will mention it to them though, thanks.
 
Don't want to get into the EDT vs vets debate but many EDTs seem to be able to handle horses really well without sedation, even those that have been a nightmare with a vet and needed sedation. If he was mine it was something I would atleast consider.
 
sueonmull said:
Don't want to get into the EDT vs vets debate but many EDTs seem to be able to handle horses really well without sedation, even those that have been a nightmare with a vet and needed sedation. If he was mine it was something I would atleast consider.
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I would second this. I have seem some vets really manhandle horses as opposed to the calm and thoughtful handling of the EDT.
 
I had a vet, EDT and needle phobic old pony (40yo) on loan from a rescue sanctuary. He had been ill treated as a younger pony and had a number of behavioural quirks.

He was struggling to eat grass - constantly quidding and also suffering minor colics. He could eat mashed D&H 16+ cubes to keep just enough weight on, but of course he wanted to graze as well.

In discussion with the rescue and the vet, we went ahead with the iv sedation and the dental specialist vet rasped his remaining teeth successfully (i think that he had only had about 5 or 6 left!). He came round ok and carried on for another two or three years before we eventually had to have him pts.

It really was kill or cure with him. We knew that he might not come round from the sedation but we had to try it.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do with yours.
 
I have a vet phobic horse and to be able to get a vet anywhere near him I have to sedate him with the domosedan gel, then a vet can sedate, sounds like your horse would be fine with just the gel if proper sedation knocks him out. It's not easy having a vet phobic horse I hope you can find a solution for your horse.
 
I third considering an assessment (treatment)with a BAEDT in consultation with your vet. Doing a bit at a time can also help but if the horse is phobic of vets using a (qualified) non vet may be a big factor in helping the horse cope calmly. A one hit, quick all in one go session with sedation may not be wise with heart and phobic conditions, a longer term plan may need to be devised.
 
I also have a very vet phobic pony and know how stressful it can be. I tried the dormesedan gel and it was just good enough to get the edge off him to let the vet have a quick check of his teeth. Its supposed to work in 30 mins but it took nearer 50 mins with mine because he was fighting it all the way. If you can, ask the vet to send it to you for you to administer before the vet arrives so he is still calm when he has it. We did this the second time with much better success. Vet stayed hidden in the car until we were sure he was dropping off!

You need to put it very accurately into the mouth below the tongue. Its difficult to do that if they are already jumping around with the vet there. Mine is pretty good with me so it was defintely easier to do it before the vet arrived.
 
WandaMare said:
I also have a very vet phobic pony and know how stressful it can be. I tried the dormesedan gel and it was just good enough to get the edge off him to let the vet have a quick check of his teeth. Its supposed to work in 30 mins but it took nearer 50 mins with mine because he was fighting it all the way. If you can, ask the vet to send it to you for you to administer before the vet arrives so he is still calm when he has it. We did this the second time with much better success. Vet stayed hidden in the car until we were sure he was dropping off!

You need to put it very accurately into the mouth below the tongue. Its difficult to do that if they are already jumping around with the vet there. Mine is pretty good with me so it was defintely easier to do it before the vet arrived.
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Absolutely right I should have put that too, always do it before the vet arrives and try and do it on an empty stomach for best effects.
 
Wow Tiddlypom, sounds like a really tough cookie that you had there, he went on over 40 too, that's amazing!
Thanks everyone, it's not just vets unfortunately (but I've certainly known some heavy handed ones too), he's such a sensitive type and loses trust in me after I worm him, after the rearing and god knows what else he does! He did get better for a few years but seems to be getting worse again, I don't blame him though they must taste disgusting.
The way to go has to be to partly sedate before the vet arrives, then give the vet the nod to come in to top up with an injection, like a few have suggested, also had a recommendation of getting hold of some of a type of sedative to give him in sugar lumps which would be absolutely ideal!
Just wanted to say I have a horrible feeling that his heart will have deteriorated. He did a bit of a good trot (4 laps on both reins) in the roundpen on Tuesday just gone and I can always tell if he has over-exerted himself because he develops a cough for a day or so afterwards, however this is possibly the worst cough i have heard from him and it doesn't seem to be getting better this time/ recovery has slowed. This could also be connected to his copd too but as he is living out and nothing has changed It's difficult to say for sure. I know he's not right this time, there have been many times where he has caused some concern as to how well he is coping but this time something isn't right.
I will be speaking to my Vet tomorrow and fingers crossed this all works out well. He's a beloved family pet and after being so fantastic at teaching my youngsters to behave whilst being led out and being a gem for my son to handle, we have to give him every best possible chance to live a full and happy life as is possible.

Thanks again, all your opinions and life experiences have been very helpful and comforting too :)
 
You can get wormers which are tablet form like a treat. If your vet very good with horses, not scared of them, if yes then he could just take his time and give a sedalin under the tongue
 
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