We're back from the vets. Gutted.

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Joanne4584

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Today we went to the vets for x-rays to check how Bertie's kissing spine and bone spavin are getting on, and to find out why he is now lame up front. We thought it would be arthritis in his front leg too but after x-rays the vet thinks it is some soft tissue damage. There is a little bit of arthritis but not enough to make him as lame as he is. He is on box rest for two weeks then my vet is coming out to scan his foot to see how it is.

But....

he is basically never going to be sound again. His kissing spine has got a lot worse. Operating isn't an option (he's 18) and the injections now won't work. I wasn't too upset at this point because I was half expecting him to have to be retired soon anyway. I've been so lucky to have been able to ride him for the past 12 months because of the IRAP, tildren and steroid injections.

I did get upset though when the vet said that if it was him, he'd put him on bute, turn him out and give him a year or so, then call it a day. I am gutted. He is my baby. I've had him for 14 years and I can't imagine my life without him. I keep crying when I think about it. :(

When my vet comes back in 2 weeks I'll ask him more questions. I was a bit too shocked today to take much in. I thought Bertie would be with us for a good few years yet. :(
 
The day it hits you that the end is in sight is a shock but you love this horse and you have him a long time so now you set to to manage his retirement so he has a great time .
If he enjoys coming in at night there's no reason to stop him coming in let him tell you how he wants to spend this time.
Horses in this situation are lucky to end their time with their long term owners .
 
Similar happened to me last November. I've actually had putting to sleep booked but didn't go through with it (my horse also has cushings)
I was heartbroken, angry, upset, relieved . Think I went through every emotion!
All in all I kind of decided to bute him and love him til winter and see about pts before the frosts (cushings!) but he's ok and we are closer than ever. He's off the bute and field sound and happy so don't get too upset just yet. Obviously every case is going to differ but hang in there xx
 
Oh No OP I am so sorry. What horrid news for you. No wonder you were in tears. Hopefully though your boy will get to have a longer retirement than the vet is thinking - and at least it seems if he can be comfy on bute for a while yet. Hugs xx
 
My beautiful T/B mare was diagnosed with arthritis in both front legs and also a keratoma was found in one front foot when x rayed I didn't know about the keratoma until the x rays.
She was injected for the arthritis and was put on Bute . She was 19 at that point.
I rode her light hacking and schooling for another 2 years. She then was only sound on Bute if not ridden so she was surgically shod (to accommodate the keratoma) and retired.
She had another lovely 2 years and was able to come off Bute in the summer and enjoy time in the fields with my other horses including her son.
The keratoma began to push the pedal bone down and she became lame with Bute no longer having any effect. So in June
2012 she was pts at home she was 24 and I had had her for 22 years.
Don't despair you still may have her for several years with your horse but I am sure you will know as I did when it is time to call it a day
 
I was told my old mare wouldn't last the winter with her arthritis and ringbone... That was 4 years ago.

She is still going strong, looks years younger than she is, holds weight amazingly and is field sound.

Vets aren't always right.
 
So sorry to hear about your horse, I really do feel for you. I read a wonderful article in a horse mag years ago and its never left me. It was about people playing god and how we do have to make these awful decisions at times and how wonderful it is that we can, as we can end suffering. It went on about how many horses are left too long when we can actually give them a painfree dignified ending and that we as humans find this very hard to come to terms with. It compared the situation to humans and how undignified and painful lots of poor ill peoples endings are.

I think your vet sounds wonderful, hes not saying he needs it done now and time out for your boy may really help things or may not :( but you will know you have given him every chance then.

Im thinking Im going to be in a similar situation soon and its awful. Im fine one minute and quite hard about the fact, then Im so upset and thinking how can I do this to what appears a healthy horse. Ive owned my boy 10 years and he hasnt been easy, hes quirky, spooky and at times can be soul destroying but hes my baby. I am not prepared to put him through more procedures and ops, been there done that and he was miserable. Even syringing the ABS daily down him is upsetting me as I dont want him to end up hating me.

Big hugs, it really is a horrible situation to be in.
 
I'm sorry for you OP, I remember very well hearing similar news. It is a big big shock, I cried and cried and couldn't imagine not having him in my life and having to make that decision, it actually sent me into a panic just thinking about it. Take him home. There is no rush, you don't have to do anything yet. I was able to make that decision when the time was right and you will too. Looking back I am also glad that I had that time to prepare myself as much as anyone can, he had the summer living out being a horse and it was lovely to spend that time relaxing with him, in his final months I was able to give him whatever he wanted and kept him as comfortable as possible for as long as possible. Take him home and love him. It is a horrid situation OP and although it would be lovely if we didn't have to face these situations, in some ways it is a blessing to be able to manage things for the best for both of you.
 
Thank you so much everyone for your kind words. This is the first time I've been in this situation, so it's all new to me. I'm feeling a bit better now that I've let the news sink in a bit.

My vet said he could give him all the injections and treatments due to it being covered by the insurance but he says it's not fair on Bertie. I really do like my vet. Basically I do not want to cause Bertie any more unnecessary pain. People tell me I'll know when the time is right. I don't know if Bertie knows what's going on but he was very quiet this afternoon when I went to sort him out.
 
Joanne4584 said:
Thank you so much everyone for your kind words. This is the first time I've been in this situation, so it's all new to me. I'm feeling a bit better now that I've let the news sink in a bit. My vet said he could give him all the injections and treatments due to it being covered by the insurance but he says it's not fair on Bertie. I really do like my vet. Basically I do not want to cause Bertie any more unnecessary pain. People tell me I'll know when the time is right. I don't know if Bertie knows what's going on but he was very quiet this afternoon when I went to sort him out.
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A vet worth his weight in gold, how lovely to hear he has Bertie's very best interests at heart. Sorry you are going through this op, a very sad situation. Bertie will tell you when it is time - all you can do is listen to him. It sounds as though you have a lot of love for each other, he will need you to be strong for him. Hopefully you can still have time together whilst he is comfortable on pain relief, and you never know what the summer will bring. It may be worth speaking to BHS friends at the end for support/advice. Take care of yourself :)
 
You will know, listen to your horse and don't be swayed by anybody else. I never thought I would be able to cope but I did and you will too. But you don't have to do anything today, and nothing tomorrow so just enjoy every day you have with him.
 
Sorry you've had such a rubbish day. Can I just suggest that any questions you think of between now and the next vets visit is to write them down so you don't forget. There's so much going through your mind that you'll never remember it all. I know when I had a routine vet visit turn bad 18 months ago with my horse, I couldn't think straight because of the upset.
 
I was in a similar situation with my mare back in November. She had kissing spines and had had injections etc but not the surgery with her previous owner. We had sold her 4yrs earlier and she was given to me when ks had been diagnosed, her owner then couldnt cope with it. I tried all the rehab and we had regular physio but she ended up lame in front as well as behind, was drinking a lot of water after being on 2 Danilon a day, was very stressy and seemed to be in obvious pain. Physio said she could do no more for her and it was so sad seeing her not the horse she previously had been, constantly laying down in the field too.

I made the decision to have her pts, one minute I was strong about it, the next crying and very upset. Anyway, I said goodbye to her on Nov 18th and she was no longer in pain. She would have been even more uncomfortable through the cold weather and being stabled more, she lived out last winter and was no better for it. It was very very sad but strangely afterwards I felt relief. I still miss her now and sometimes wonder if I did the right thing. Then, I remember the day when she whinnied to me and had a panic stricken look on her face when the Farrier was trying to shoe her back
hoof. She couldnt stand on 3 legs and was in pain, I will never forget that and therefore am thankful to have given her a dignified end and with me too. At least I know where she ended up and she spent her last day with her field mate, my other horse.

Listen to your Vet and yourself and your horse. You will know when and if it is right.
 
Whatever happens he loves you so much. You've paid loads already and he'll know deep down you've done everything you have. At the end of the day it's Whats best for Bertie, you never know he might make a good recovery, don't worry it'll be okay. I wish him all the best, he'll get through it x
 
Don't rule out a long and happy retirement. My old bat retired at 23 due to a combination of arthritis and field injuries, is now 33 and has been happily retired, (on bute) for 10 years. She lived out full time until she was 30, but now needs to come in at night in the winter and is tricky to keep condition on as her teeth have all but worn away. Although she is clearly an old lady, she is bright eyed and still manages to terrify whoever turns her out in the morning by attempting to canter down the hill to get back to her herd. We get her MOT'd every autumn to assess whether she can do another winter and my vet and yard owner have been pro-active in finding ways to keep her happy and healthy.
 
I am new here and have just read this. I am so sorry and really feel for you. I hope your boy proves the vets wrong xx
 
I'm feeling much better about things today. I'm going to make his retirement as good for him as possible. Today I moved him into a different stable so he is now with the other horses so he can have company. He had a good roll in the school and he even had a little trot with his tail up. I'm going to not think about the end, just concentrate on each day as it comes. I don't want to be sad.

The YO said that as soon as spring comes he can go into the big field with their horses and just roam about as he pleases. I'll be able to go down every day to check on him and give him his bute. I will definitely write questions down to ask my vet Carefreegirl. I was trying too hard not to cry in front of him rather than concentrate on what he was saying lol xx
 
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