What would you do - please be honest.

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showqa

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The pony is 30 plus, she's a companion, she has Cushings and she's a chronic laminitic which has proven to be more and more difficult to keep under control in the last 6 months. She had another attack last week and the vet put her on super strength painkillers, but as they are now leaving her system I can see that she is again in pain, can't really walk or turn around (pivot) properly. Even on soft and deep snow her walking was difficult for her. But she is still eating and enjoying her feed and hay. She doesn't really interact with the other two the way she used to do and she is a different pony to this time last year. But having said all of that, when she was on the field about 4 weeks ago (before everything turned white) I did actually see her galloping up the field as though she was ten again.

Please, honest and sensible replies only as this is a difficult enough time as it is. Many thanks.
 
Yesterday at my yard a pony very much like this one you describe was pts, I think she was ready to go and it was the right thing to do in that case certainly, but really only you can make that decision for yours. ((hugs)) good luck, these things are never easy.
 
I really do sympathise with you, about a year ago i ummed and ahhed over my boy after another Lammi attack and being diagnosed with Cushings, i think you just need to try and tear your heart away from the situation and think of her quality of life for the future - after such a chronic attack - will she ever fully recover?? Unlikely in my honest opinion. You will know deep down when its time to say goodbye - im afraid its all i can offer you, if i was in that situation again and bearing in mind her age too.. i think i would have PTS.

I really feel your pain in this. And i hope you reach the best solution. x
 
I'm so sorry but only you can know if the time is right. Look into her eyes and she'll tell you if she's in real pain. So sorry you are having to make this choice.
 
Personally i would time it now, give it say a few weeks for improvment. These oldies can really bounce back sometimes but dont leave it so she suffers. You'll know when the time is right and shes ready to go, hugs x
 
If she's suffering and not coping without painkillers then I would PTS. She's had a good life. It's a lot harder to make that decision when they are still eating, isn't it?

Only you know her, and how much she is suffering. Sorry for the difficult choice you have to make. xx
 
Honestly I've never had this to deal with myself, but I know it will come (I have a pony who is sore without regular danilon) and I've always said if they lose what make them 'them' and are in pain without massive amounts of painkillers its got to be the time to call it a day.

In your situation I think I'd be thinking of PTS.

Hugs for you in such a horrible situation.
 
Sounds as though you already know what needs to be done, even though it is so hard to do. Do you think a few moments of fun is worth the long term, high pain levels she has to cope with? Make her time noe special as you can, with as little pain as possible then let her go. If her interest in life is waning, she is ready to move on.
 
Limited time on here today, but my honest response is that I would have the pony put to sleep. If a horse cannot move reasonably properly and easily, then it is unable to live as a horse. It's something I thought I was facing with LL (and may yet be), so I have an understanding of how you feel.

Better a day too early than an hour too late.
 
She had one "good" day among the normal not very good ones. At 30 she is the equivalent to someone over 110 years old so if you stopped today, no-one could say she was being short-changed. Choose to do it now before your hand is forced and be proud that you put her first.
 
We've just made this decision with one of ours - I would ecco others and say PTS. The next few months are vicious weather-wise, with the limited info I have about your situation I'd say the kindest thing to do is PTS, and soon.
Sorry :-(
 
I lost my beautiful T.B to this, he was 22 the laminitis came on suddenly but he had a lot of pain, he was also prone to stress related colic and was starting to show signs of this, vet said his chances were 50/50 of pulling through, i couldn,t put him through it, knowing his quality of life would never be the same, it was the most heartbreaking decision i have ever made but i did it for him and not me, i loved him dearly.
 
Thank you all so much for your honesty and kindness. Yes, I think I do know that really her life has come to an end, I just so hate having to make this decision over a life. But yes, I can see she isn't the same animal as she was and she's only going to get worse. I think it'll have to wait until our roads are better though as the lorry to take her body away just won't get here. Again, thank you all for your kindness and your honesty.
 
if pony is that bad now, I personally would PTS. Rest of the winter to go through yet, it's not fair to put them through it if they are in pain.

I found out my old boy had cushings and decided not to medicate as he was so unhappy in himself, he was 28 with winter ahead of him last year. Looking back i am really glad I made the decision and did the deed in september....xxx I think you know the answer, but it helps having it backed up xxx
 
showqa said:
Thank you all so much for your honesty and kindness. Yes, I think I do know that really her life has come to an end, I just so hate having to make this decision over a life. But yes, I can see she isn't the same animal as she was and she's only going to get worse. I think it'll have to wait until our roads are better though as the lorry to take her body away just won't get here. Again, thank you all for your kindness and your honesty.
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Its horrible but try to pick a nice day for her and keep it as normal as possible with just a couple of extra treats etc.

Its what I did with my old mare and bless her she looked beautiful. I did it before she got really ill. She was only 22. I sometimes think I did it too early but at least I know that she didn't suffer in any way.

Bless you. Being a soppy old tart I am actually shedding a tear for you as its so hard but to say good bye now really is the very best thing you could do for your pony.
 
My friend had her 22 year old pony pts just over a week ago with a bad lami attack. She had various other issues that meant her quality of life was not going to improve long term and we were unable to keep her comfy even short term so the decision was made to let her go. Retrospectively. given the awful weather we are having we are so pleased we did what we did as by now she would have been really struggling to cope. It does sound as if you know what needs to be done but it is such a huge responsibility isnt it? as you say being responsible for a life. Your pony will be grateful that she has a caring, considerate owner who puts her needs before her own. Hoping everything goes as well as is possible for you x
 
Having been in this situation I would NOT pts.

The horse is eating and is generally happy in himself then why PTS?

Have you had xrays done to determine to degree of rotation? Get some remedial farriery done and control the cushings carefully and there is no reason why this pony cannot carry on for a while yet.

I know of a 40 year old with cushings and laminitis, the vets worked wonders and perserved with the pony who is now happy in his field with his companion.

Dont write him off just yet - get the VETS opinion.
 
Personally, as this happend to a 3 year old I had, long story but equally as difficult, ask your vet if he can put her back on the increased dose of painkillers until you are able to do the deed when the weather allows. I feel sure your vet will agree to this.

The reason vets do not like giving increased doses of painkillers is liver damage, but as
your little lady will not be with us for too much longer, it does not really come in to the equation.

The painkillers will give her back her few days of quality and happiness and then you are able to say good bye gracefully.

Best of luck and lots of hugs.
Bryndu
 
This is my worst nightmare but one I will have to face given my horse is now 23 and has Cushings and is prone to laminitis, so I really do sympathise with you.

However If I were you and it was my horse I would seriously consider PTS, she sounds like her quality of life is being compromised although maybe not so severely now but would you want it to get to that stage?

This is proving to be a harsh winter and that will be very tough on her :( She has lived to a wonderful age and she should be allowed to now pass on without pain and with dignity.

I almost say this in my head as some kind of comforting mantra but it really is without doubt always better to PTS a day too early than a day too late.

However its so difficult to say just from reading a post on a forum, she is your horse and you know her best. If you look at her closely enough you will know when its the right time. Have you discussed with your vet? maybe give her another week or so and then reasess but in the meantime make a real fuss of her.

Good luck, I will be thinking of you.

Sadiemay
 
The vet was very reluctant to be positive about her last week. He basically said that after these painkillers had started to leave her system, if the pain returned as bad, then really it was time to consider why she was being kept alive.
 
Honestly i'd have her pts, i'm sorry :/ , in this last two months I've had a horse and a dog pts. It was extreemly hard but very glad we did it because both animals were in pain. The horse was twenty and my mum had, had her since she was two. The vet told us very few horses die in the field. Its your choice and I hope you make a desision that'll benefit the horse. No one can make you do it but only give opinions. I'm very sorry situations like the one your going through is difficult. :(
 
showqa said:
The vet was very reluctant to be positive about her last week. He basically said that after these painkillers had started to leave her system, if the pain returned as bad, then really it was time to consider why she was being kept alive.
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Personally Id find another vet,and make it an equine one. Get another vets opinion and keep pony alive\ for awhile longer.
 
Rather remember her as she is now than in a few months time when she has dropped weight and changed personality due to the pain. As hard as it is we have a responsibility to keep their lives pain free and if meds are no longer working then PTS is the only option :(

I feel for you :(
 
showqa said:
The vet was very reluctant to be positive about her last week. He basically said that after these painkillers had started to leave her system, if the pain returned as bad, then really it was time to consider why she was being kept alive.
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Have you saturated every possible avenue? I assume this a proper equine vet who you trust? If so then If thats his feeling and the horse in obvious signs of pain (which are NOT eating, not showing ANY interest in ANYTHING going on around her) then perhaps its time to let her run around the big green field in the sky where she can eat as much as she likes without pain. xxx

Its a big decision ONLY YOU can make based upon YOUR feelings and perceptions of your mare, not anyone else, certainly not anyone on a forum.

I wish you all the best and i hope that whatever decision you decide you can stay strong. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
In that case I think you know what the right thing to do is, as hard as it is :(

Its all very well a horse still having an appetite and seeming to be happy in itself but if they are in obvious discomfort/pain and the prognosis is bleak then you have to take that as a sign its probably time to call it a day.

The horse has to come first and foremost and a vet will be able to advise from a medical perpsective and use your own judgement also on how well you know your pony as to whether they have had enough.

Afterall they cant tell you they are in pain/discomfort verbally only by visible signs which we have repsonsibility to react accordingly too.

Sadiemay
 
sharon1959 said:
Personally Id find another vet,and make it an equine one. Get another vets opinion and keep pony alive\ for awhile longer.
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Why? Only for it to eventually suffer a more painful time, I have seen many horses been left to long from suffering lamintis and cushings then they get secondary colic where there body is shutting down with organ failure. Its really not a good sight to see when you know 6 months ago the pony wouldn't have suffered.

You know your horse, I would pts as the horse has distanced herself from the others that quite a big sign i think.
 
A difficult decision, at a difficult time. I've been there - 37 year old with cushings and laminitis. It was becoming harder and harder to control, she was very thin to keep the laminitis at bay, and I felt that her quality of life was suffering. She was PTS on a summers day in the field :(
 
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