What would you do?

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Daphnelia

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I have a horse with hock and back pain, who has developed anxiety and some strange behavioural traits in the last few months. He doesn't seem to recognise me or my farrier any more. He snorts when taken out of his field and is jumpy and anxious. He jumps every so often, not seeming to be aware of my space and of stepping on me. He has always been a very calm, and careful horse. I put him on bute to see if there was any difference to his behaviour (having tried lots of calmers, changes of feed, no feed) and he became much calmer and happier. Still unsound and showing signs of back pain when palpated though. Took him off the bute and he went back the way he had been before. My question is, as he's still unsound and has a sore back on bute, should I be considering pts? I thought that for him to be displaying such a change in temperament, he must be in quite considerable and consistant pain. Vets say theyre not sure. All thoughts appreciated. Sorry if its jumbled but I'm really upset atm
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Sorry to here that.
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From your post it doesn't sound like he's that happy. Is he old? is it something that will get worse?

I would consider having him PTS, unless you think he will be happy on bute for a bit longer. You may only be buying time though.

Big hung from me for you and your pony.
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Could you contact an accupuncturist (sp) it worked wonders for my girl when she had a bad neck, which affected her behaviour. She was not in the state that your lad is, but it my be worth a try.
So sorry about the problems you are having. I do think if he is becoming so distressed that if you can't manage his pain then sadly he is reaching the end
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I'm afraid he is not old, no. Only 10
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Thats why its so hard. I can see a kind of resemblance of his old character now he's on a high dose of devils claw. He's still anxious, but his back's less sore I think, and he lets me hug him and fuss him.

ETA and thanks for hugs x
 
I would first be asking the vet to test to rule out any other causes for the behaviour change. I sounds most likely to be the pain, but liver problems etc can cause this kind of behaviour.

As he's still actually walking and ABLE to jump about I cannot imagine his pain is to the extent that it's causing this 'non recognition' (sometimes extreme pain can be nulled by the mind actually 'phasing' itself out, almost like on another planet, but this is when in serious pain, my son did it when he was facing amputation).

If tests rule out any other problems, and provided everything in the horses life has been as normal (ie no owner changes, no yard changes, no bulling in the field ) I would be thinking of putting him out of his pain.

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Just realised how far gone he sounds.. to clarify I am obsessive with quizzing people on how they think he is doing, whether he is suffering etc etc. Its only in the last week that farrier has said yes, he's not right. Well, he said 'he's gone' and really, without his painkillers, he has.
 
I don't know if this is what you mean by phasing out, but something else he does is standing stock still with his eyes glazed, ears pricked. Nothing can rouse him until he snaps out of it by himself. Usually lasts about 5 - 10 secs. Never used to do it.
 
Can the vets refer him for a full diagnostic examination such as xrays and scintigraphy to see if there are any sites of injury?
 
I'm with AmyMay, get his eyes checked. It's worth looking for other possible causes. I'd probably also get a blood test to make sure he's well otherwise.

If all else is fine, and there's no other possible cause for his behaviour, then I would probably consider buting him for a couple more weeks to let him enjoy some of the summer and the nice grass, then letting him go.
 
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I don't know if this is what you mean by phasing out, but something else he does is standing stock still with his eyes glazed, ears pricked. Nothing can rouse him until he snaps out of it by himself. Usually lasts about 5 - 10 secs. Never used to do it.

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Tumour/Aneurysm??
 
Can horses suffer fits? Maybe he is suffering from "Petit Mal" I think these are small fits suffered by epileptics where they loose focus for a short while & almost go into a trance. I don't know if horses can get this, but it would be very frightening for both horse & handler if they suffer from it. Sorry, may be totally wrong, but big hugs anyway, very sad in a young horse
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Horses can suffer narcolepsy...and brain tumours....and aneurysms. The difficulty for you is making the right decision on incomplete evidence; you need to actually have a diagnosis and prognosis in order to make a reasonable decision for his future.
Your vets should be able to tell you what is wrong with him - I don't know is not good enough - 'I don't know, but I'll find out' is much more acceptable! If your vet isn't a horse specialist, perhaps see if you can have him referred to another practice.
If money is an issue (isn't it always
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) then you could contact your nearest vet school...explain your horse has these mystery symptoms, explain that your vet can't provide a diagnosis, and ask if they'd like to investigate him for you, as a project....making it clear that you have little or no funds to pay for treatment. They can only say no....and you're no worse off. And I have known vet schools to be sympathetic to such approaches, if the case is unusual. It would be good if you could get your current vet on side to help persuade them.
I just don't feel you can make a decision without further knowledge....so can't say - yes, PTS, or not...
Hope this helps.
S
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Totally agree with Shilasdair, if the vet 'doesn't know', he should be giving you options to eliminate causes, not just telling you he doesn't know, try another vet maybe, speak to insurers and check what he's covered for, then have it done, tests don't take that long, not like the nhs!

Surely it's worth finding out what it is?? if it's something where PTS is only real option, you won't have wasted money, insurers will have paid, and you will beat yourself up about it less in the future once you have said goodbye and if he can be fixed by giving him some thing to adjust a chemical imbalance or similar, again ins pays and you get to keep your boy without him being in pain. There are so many things it could be.
 
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Can horses suffer fits? Maybe he is suffering from "Petit Mal" I think these are small fits suffered by epileptics where they loose focus for a short while & almost go into a trance. I don't know if horses can get this, but it would be very frightening for both horse & handler if they suffer from it. Sorry, may be totally wrong, but big hugs anyway, very sad in a young horse
xx

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yes they can
(((((((hugs)))))))) make the dession(sp) that you think is right
 
I'd definitely do as much digging as possible as Shilasdair suggested to get as many facts as you can before you decide whether to PTS or not. There is definitely something sinister there - just a case of finding out what!
 
As someone else has mentioned, I'd be concerned that there isn't a lot more going on here such as a tumour or something similar affecting his eyesight, or even the "back pain" being some kind of damage to spinal nerves/column. Sadly, either diagnosis doesn't sound very good, though.
 
I would def get your vets or a specialist vets to do some tests - particularly an x-ray and scan of the back and hocks and blood tests. I knew a horse last year that had many of the symptoms you are describing and after a long battle for a diagnosis the owner had him PTS as they found he had spinal arthritis and spavins, he was only 5. He was somewhat improved by high doses of danillon but the vet could not recommend this as a long term option.
 
Thanks all for your suggestions. I have wondered about whether he is experiencing fits, and also eyesight problems, so it is reassuring to have these concerns seconded. His eyesight was vet checked and given the all clear about a month ago, the behaviour having started about 2 months previous to that. I've booked him in for further tests next week, and hopefully we will get to the bottom of this. Vet isn't too hopeful, but even if it is the worst outcome, thats not a decision I can make myself - I need someone to tell me that categorically its the right thing to do. PTS is too final to do on 'maybes'
S thanks for that suggestion, must confess I hadn't thought of that, certainly an option worth investigating.
 
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