When to pts ?

[Welshiex]

Hey everyone, I’m new here and just looking for some reassurance if I’m doing the right thing.
my mare is 15 and I’ve owned her 9 years. She is no longer ridden due to being uncomfortable in the school and tanking off out hacking.
She has copd, arthritis, melanomas which have spread into her mammary glands this year causing a lot of issues and I think a new one in her throat now too. She also has reoccurring uveitis after an corneal ulcer two years ago and it’s flaring up so frequently now and not responding to treatment that I believe it needs removing.
she has had a wonderful summer in a huge paddock full of grass and been spoilt rotten. We are now loosing our feild and having to go back to old small bare paddocks for the winter.
I don’t feel it is fair to put her through the removal of her eye and leave her to have no quality of life through the winter or more, therefore I have arranged to have her pts this weekend while she is happy.
now I am really really doubting my decision. She means so so much to me but I want to make the right choice for her, not for myself and my feelings.
am I doing the right thing?

 

[fankino04]

I honestly don't think you get to the point of booking PTS without knowing deep down that it's the only kind / fair thing you can do. It is normal though to hope you're wrong and that there's another option, it's a horrible situation to be in, sending hugs xx

 

[milliepops]

It sounds like it's the right time to let her slip away before she starts to suffer, that's quite a lot of health issues that you and she are managing.
i'm sorry you're in this position but it's the last kindness we can give to them.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

OP I completely agree with the posts above, you are doing the right thing for your circumstances x

 

[Griffin]

I agree with other posters, you are doing the right thing. I think that agonising over the decision shows how much thought you give to her welfare. I also think it is better to PTS before their quality of life deteriorates too much because it makes the procedure smoother.

Lots of hugs for you and your mare

 

[Welshiex]

Thank you everyone. It helps me feel I’m doing the right thing. The heartache is unbareable as I’m sure some of you know ?

 

[PSD]

It’s the hardest decision to make and totally normal to doubt it. But the fact you’ve made the decisions means you know it’s the right thing to do, I still doubt myself now over a year later. It’s human nature to wonder what if, I feel for you though. It’s the most horrific yet selfless thing we can do for our friends.

 

[Birker2020]

Hey everyone, I’m new here and just looking for some reassurance if I’m doing the right thing.
my mare is 15 and I’ve owned her 9 years. She is no longer ridden due to being uncomfortable in the school and tanking off out hacking.
She has copd, arthritis, melanomas which have spread into her mammary glands this year causing a lot of issues and I think a new one in her throat now too. She also has reoccurring uveitis after an corneal ulcer two years ago and it’s flaring up so frequently now and not responding to treatment that I believe it needs removing.
she has had a wonderful summer in a huge paddock full of grass and been spoilt rotten. We are now loosing our feild and having to go back to old small bare paddocks for the winter.
I don’t feel it is fair to put her through the removal of her eye and leave her to have no quality of life through the winter or more, therefore I have arranged to have her pts this weekend while she is happy.
now I am really really doubting my decision. She means so so much to me but I want to make the right choice for her, not for myself and my feelings.
am I doing the right thing?

The arthritis is easily treated with bute, the COPD a bit trickier but you obviously keep the dust to a minimum.

But the uveitis and the melanomas would signal the end to me.

I was always in the 'try everything' camp but to be honest you're on a hiding to nothing. Sorry to sound blunt. Instead of asking us lot who have never seen your horse, have no idea of what condition its in or what its quality of life is really like why don't you ask those that know it best: fellow liveries and your vet. They are the ones to be guided by.

I spoke to people on here about my horse prior to pts but they wouldn't particuarly have swayed me one way or the other, I would always go by what I see with my eyes, my horses history and vet advice. I knew the instant I clapped eyes on my horse at any given time what mood she was in, whether she felt well or was unhappy. She and I had a special bond, she would look at me in a certain way to try to tell me things. She was always so stoic and the day the vet tried to nerve block her and she resisted hugely for her was the day I really knew. It's 3 months tomorrow since she went and not a day goes by when I don't think of her, but I know with complete and utter certainty that letting her go was the right thing.

I wish you well, but I think you already know which way this is going to go deep down, you are just not ready to accept it quite yet. Look after yourself x

 

[Welshiex]

Thank you berker2020, I have asked people around me and they also agree. I felt maybe I’d get an answer more for my horse than me if I didn’t know who I was asking if that makes sense. As everyone I know knows and loves my horse as I do.
Thank you again

 

[Birker2020]

Thank you berker2020, I have asked people around me and they also agree. I felt maybe I’d get an answer more for my horse than me if I didn’t know who I was asking if that makes sense. As everyone I know knows and loves my horse as I do.
Thank you again

I completely understand. So sorry, you can always PM me if you want to chat about anything or if you want a 'cyber friend'. x

 

[eahotson]

I think you are being very brave.Your horse is lucky to have you.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I cannot and will not say whether you are "making the right decision". At the end of the day there are just the three people involved in this: you, your vet, and your horse. It sounds very much like you have considered all the options and feel that now is the appropriate time to let your horse go.

All I WILL say - having had to make a tough choice about my lovely girl (10yo) within the last six weeks - is that YOU and you alone know your horse and you are the one who has "listened" to them...... yes there will be no doubt people who will pop up either on your yard or on here and say to you "have you tried this" and "have you tried that"; but at the end of the day YOU are the one having to make the decision that you feel is the right one. It is easy to beat yourself up and feel guilty even, but it sounds like you have weighed up the situation and are seeking to make the kindest choice in what is always a sad and difficult situation.

Right now you are having to make a tough choice; I for one would stand with you in the decision you are having to make and would urge you to go with what your heart, deep-down, is saying.

Sending hugs, it is never ever easy. XX

 

[babymare]

Such a hard decision for any loving owner. My mare was 14 and going blind. I was moving out area and, whilst the picture of health to look at, my vet and I decided given her sight and stress from previous abuse the kindest thing was put to sleep than attempt to move her. So damn hard has she really was my soulmate. Still miss her? Oh yes. Regrets? None. OP you are a loving owner which is what any horse would ask for. Be kind to self xx

 

[Abby-Lou]

100% agree PTS

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Iwould pts a horse with all those health problems. I am sorry, it is never an easy decision but it sounds like the right one for your horse.

 

[Carrottom]

You are doing the right thing. It is very sad but is the kindness and bravest decision you make for your horse.

 

[catembi]

FWIW, I finally PTS my golden oldie (she was 40 & I'd had her since 3) because of a corneal ulcer. She also had Cushings, a mechanical unsoundness, struggled to hold weight & was beginning to get doddery, but the corneal ulcer was the final straw. I had one myself once & they really are jolly painful. Hers wasn't really responding to treatment, it was next to impossible to get the eye drops in & I didn't want her to suffer the awful eye pain for any longer.

It is only natural to have 'what ifs' and wonder why it should be TODAY rather than tomorrow or next week or whenever, but it sounds as if you've called it right. I am sorry :-(

 

[meleeka]

I think the best way of deciding if it’s the right thing is to ask yourself, if you don’t do it, what will she be like this time next year? if the answer is that she will be worse than she is now, then now is a good time. What’s the point in putting off the inevitable?

 

[View]

It’s always a hard and terrible decision to make. But as others have said we owe them this final act of kindness.

Having made your decision, be kind to yourself and allow yourself time to grieve. In time the pain becomes less raw, and you will treasure the happy memories.

They always take a piece of our heart when they go.

 

[spotty_pony]

It sounds like you are doing the right thing. Melanomas are quite aggressive and it sadly sounds like hers are spreading quite quickly. It doesn't make it any easier to make the decisin though - I am currently going through the same with my 29 year old mare... do I have her for another winter or not? Had planned to pts end of summer but she is not making my decision easy as she is currently looking really well. I will know when it is time though - I assess her everyday.

 

[MinKo]

You are doing the best thing for her. The last thing you want is to put it off and something major happen. Always better sooner rather than later when there are multiple health problems. I'm very sorry for you both and hope you can take some comfort in knowing it's the right call.

 

[ycbm]

I agree with everyone. I'm sorry you're having to face this but her time has come.

 

[Wishfilly]

It sounds like such a tough situation to be in, and I'm sorry you are going through this. She sounds like she unfortunately has a lot of health issues, and the melanomas sound like unfortunately they are starting to spread quite agressively. I am sure you have a good idea of how she will cope/not cope with the winter, and I think the fact that you have come up with this plan shows you know deep down it is time.

Wishing you all the best.

 

[PeterNatt]

You are being totaly responsible by having your horse put down, which would otherwise suffer a continual decline in her health. This is the kindest and most humane thing that you can do for your beloved horse.

 

[SibeliusMB]

I agree with your decision and with what others have said. I think you are brave and putting her first. Get some good photos of you and her together, treat her to a Best Day Ever with lots of hugs and treats, and send her off on a high note. She is very lucky to have you.