Worried sick about my horse.....

AdorableAlice said:
Very sadly an infected joint can be life ending if not dealt with quickly. The surgery required is very expensive.

With the greatest of respect, having read what you have been through with this horse, it may be the closure you need.

Not what you want to hear I know, and I wish you the very best.
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This.

Personally I would have it put down asap if you can't afford to keep it in suitable condition. It is not a safe horse in general and you'd be hard pushed to find someone who wants him with vet bills added. Also please insure your other horses or accept the same, if you cannot afford to keep it in good health then let him go.

Don't drag it out for him because you don't want another bill.

Pan
 
From your later post I would ring the vet asap before it gets to an emergency call out situation (although this would after hours now with my vet) because you certainly don't want to leave it to Monday. If the joint does need to be flushed and you just can't afford it and there is no one to help you financially, then the decision is taken out of your hands (very sadly). It is something none of us wish for our horses.
 
AdorableAlice said:
and if you can't bring yourself to comment in a more caring and supportative manner why bother ? It is very evident the OP is in turmoil, there is absolutely no need to be so blunt.

Your words are correct but could have been put so very differently. It saddens me greatly when such comments are made.

I gave the same advice in a totally different manner, I am not an educated person but I do not struggle with tact or understanding peoples emotions. Please give the OP the respect she deserves for posting her concerns and admitting her shortcomings.
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If you read the comment in a harsh tone and spit out the words quickly then it seems like an uncalled for approach. If you read exactly the same words in a soft tone with a sympathetic twist then the advice would be taken I presume? How are you able to determine whether the poster cares or not? The fact that she is taking her time to offer advice (usually blo*dy good advice) then she obviously cares.
 
I'm not site what is do offensive about my respons AA.

OP is in a sad and difficult situation. She has a horse she can neither afford, loan nor sell.

To me the logical (and actually kindest) thing to do would be to have it put down.

Been exactly where she is, and so feel more than qualified to respond as I did.

At the very least if you can't afford the most basic veterinary care, I'm not sure what the alternative is.

And no OP you have done nothing wrong, other than be broke. Which many cam sympathise with
 
Oh heck what an awful situation to be in. I feel so sorry for you, OP. PTS by the vet is very expensive, and even the hunt may be too expensive for you, I don't know. Sadly, it sounds very dire to me. If the cut is over the joint then always call the vet out, even if the wound is tiny. It does sound as though he probably needs the joint flushed out, though I fear due to the delay, even that would come too late. In your situation, if the vet suggests flushing the joint, then I would PTS. So sorry.
 
amymay said:
If you can't afford to keep or treat, call the hunt to destroy.
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This.

Sorry OP. It is not a good situation to be in but there has to be a line drawn before something goes drastically wrong welfare wise for your horse or financially for yourself.
 
Moomin1 said:
This.

Sorry OP. It is not a good situation to be in but there has to be a line drawn before something goes drastically wrong welfare wise for your horse or financially for yourself.
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I have to agree with this I'm afraid, no bad feeling on your part, you have done your best for him, rehoming etc, time to call it a day before it breaks you, financially and emotionally.
 
amymay said:
I'm not site what is do offensive about my respons AA.

OP is in a sad and difficult situation. She has a horse she can neither afford, loan nor sell.

To me the logical (and actually kindest) thing to do would be to have it put down.

Been exactly where she is, and so feel more than qualified to respond as I did.

At the very least if you can't afford the most basic veterinary care, I'm not sure what the alternative is.

And no OP you have done nothing wrong, other than be broke. Which many cam sympathise with
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This too.

Can you afford a call out fee to get a vet's opinion? It may make you feel better on what you may have to decide.
 
I have nothing more to add to this thread but I just want to say I really really feel for you op. I would probably do the same given the circumstances :( We all love our horses and would do anything for them
Maybe you can discuss a payment plan with the vet? This may help take the immediate pressure of you xxx
 
Sorry to hear about your difficult situation.
Am I right in thinking he fell when being ridden by your loaner? If she has rider only insurance would that cover the vets bill as she was riding at the time? Not sure about this but perhaps someone else on here may know a little more about this.
Hope you manage to sort things out.xxxx
 
Sounds to me like you have done your level best and stood by this horse for a long time where many others would have given up and sold him on.

Maybe not getting the vet on this occasion wasn't such a good idea but who else on here hasn't taken that chance, in all honesty, having genuinely believed the nature of the condition wasn't so serious?

The sad thing is in this case, it might be that you miscalculated. Many have had potentially worse incidents and got away with it - hands up for doing that, too.

I'm sure you won't neglect him and hope things turn out for the best, but I can't help thinking fate has stepped in and is making a decision for you. Infected joints need heavy treatment 'yesterday'. Whatever, I'm not going to judge you on this one.

Good luck - and really, don't beat yourself up.
 
brighteyes said:
Maybe not getting the vet on this occasion wasn't such a good idea but who else on here hasn't taken that chance, in all honesty, having genuinely believed the nature of the condition wasn't so serious?

The sad thing is in this case, it might be that you miscalculated. Many have had potentially worse incidents and got away with it - hands up for doing that, too.
.
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The one time I hesitated in calling the Vet I ended up losing my very best friend. Despite the fact that the symptoms he presented were exactly the same as all the other times (chronic issue). He could have been saved and I could have had many more years with him. My biggest regret. Ever.
 
I would suggest that you speak to your vet, explain that horse is not insured and see what they suggest.

Five weeks after I bought my first jorse, he suffered a puncture wound to his foot. A small piece of wood punctured his frog. I let myself be guided by my YO and set about poulticing his foot. After 3 days it became apparent that infection had set in and I called the vet. Intravenous ab's didn't touch it and I was advised that the joint may be infected. As the horse wasn't insured, my options were to continue with the ab's and hope, have xrays to determine if the joint was infected or pts as the cost of flushing the joint was far more than the horse was worth. I opted for the xrays as I wanted to be sure where we stood and thankfully the joint was fine. It took 28 days of intramuscular ab's, which my husband injected, and a further week of powdered ones before he came good. The total bill came to just over 500 pounds and they let me pay it off in installments.

I would get the vets opinion before you make any decision.
 
So sorry to hear about your situation. FWIW I don't think you have done bad by this horse at all, I would not call the vet for a simple wound unless I was particularly concerned for some reason so don't beat yourslef up about that.

I think most wounds do get worse before they get better, but if in doubt give the vet a call and tell them what's happening. They will either reassure you it's normal or you can begin to discuss concerns.

TBH wound flushing needs to be done quickly - within 24 hours of infection to have much chance of success. But your vet can discuss this with you.

If this is the end for your horse then I am sorry for you both, but please don't be too hard on yourself. Finances will always be a factor for everybody, it's just we all have different budgets.
 
OP I don't think its unethical to PTS due to finances. Look at it this way, by having this horse PTS you safeguard the future of your other horse, by freeing up some money that will no longer be spent on his livery feed etc. It's a tough choice, but how will you feel if you manage to save this horse then next week your other one is injured and has to be PTS because this time you really have run out of money?

FWIW in your situation I'd have done the same as you, knowing the potential consequences and I'd be upset now just as you are.

You said you already planned that if anything happened he'd have to be PTS. I think letting your heart rule your head now would be a mistake.
 
Personally OP I would see ow he goes. Did the vet specifically say to keep him in? You said it was/is visibly infected - did the vet agree? After 3 days then yep, I would expect a horse to be pretty lame, especially if it is the joint as, after all it has to bend which is going to be blooming painful. Yes, sure it could mean it's very serious and you may have to consider joint flushing or even have to make the decision to have the horse PTS but perosnally I prefer to give the horse the benefit of doubt to be honest and a little more time than 3 or so days to show improvement.

I know some people on here do seem to be very 'trigger happy' it when it comes to any horse being injured and possibly costing a little money for a short space of time but personally I am not one of the "get the hunt in to destroy it" brigade and I feel quite sorry for any horse who ends up with that type of person - christ, I dread to think which horses of ours we've had over the last 25+ years they'd have had shot!!!

I have seen numerous injuries in my own horses - small wounds, largish wounds, unexplained lameness etc. However, it is only since coming in this website I have started to get a bit more paranoid about the slightest blloming cut - for no reason when it has come down to it!

I would say, go with your gut feeling. Can you see any improvement? Is it getting a lot worse? Would the horse be better out than in so can move the joint and thus keep it loosened up and work the fluid out?

Speak to your vet, ask their opinion - their job is to give you impartial advice. Don't just take advice off people on a forum who haven't seen the horse or it's injury.

I hope all goes well for you :)
 
Ladyt25 time is something the OP doesn't have, they've already put themselves in debt to pay for treatment horse has already had. They will be in further debt just to PTS. Perhaps you see nothing wrong with that. I would have to disagree.
 
I know some people on here do seem to be very 'trigger happy' it when it comes to any horse being injured and possibly costing a little money for a short space of time but personally I am not one of the "get the hunt in to destroy it" brigade and I feel quite sorry for any horse who ends up with that type of person - christ, I dread to think which horses of ours we've had over the last 25+ years they'd have had shot!!!
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Not at all, but OP's horse has an infected wound over a joint and the OP has little/no money.
 
The way I see it, you have three reasonable options.

1 Borrow the money, treat the horse, pay it back over a long period of time.

2 PTS now.

3. If the horse can be maintained comfortably for a few days you could wait and see which way things go on their own. This is only a fair option to the horse if you can give enough pain relief that you aren't just basically leaving him to suffer in case he gets better (which tbh sounds like it isn't the likely outcome). He won't care if he might get better, he only knows that he's in pain now and that needs dealing with, either by pain relief, treatment or destruction.
 
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Feel your pain - emotional and financial

I found this article useful when I was reading about joint infections recently but I really hope your horse's joint is not involved

http://www.clydevetgroup.co.uk/equine/newsletters/jul07.htm

Find out what you are dealing with, speak to and discuss your situation with your vet and consider your options and then discuss with your significant others

Best of luck, healing vibes and hugs
 
Faracat said:
Not at all, but OP's horse has an infected wound over a joint and the OP has little/no money.
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That is true but how infected noone here actually knows. Has it actually penetrated the joint or is it just infection over the top layers and the stiffness is causing the lameness? I think the veta is the only one who can decide.

I am by no means rich and do not like getting in to debt but, to be honest money's just money and as far as I can see where there's a will there's a way. Guess it depends what support you've got around you as well and what you're prepared to do. I've borrowed from parents, banks, loans, put things on visa cards etc previously. It gets paid back eventually as I work full time and I switch round debts when and if I have them to the cheapest option to pay back. It can actually be done.

Depends entirely on the individual I guess. You can generally agree monthly payments with most vets for treatment as well so it doesn't hit your wallet so hard.
 
ladyt25 said:
Depends entirely on the individual I guess. You can generally agree monthly payments with most vets for treatment as well so it doesn't hit your wallet so hard.
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Absolutely it does. I have one here whom I love with all my heart but if tomorrow comes and she does something to which I face another vets bill of over a grand or even over half of that then she will be put to sleep. She is a beautiful field companion but knowing what her future will be anyway I won't hesitate to let her go. In this financial climate (and my own) I owe it to my other two, and her, to let her go.

OP, good luck with it all, whatever happens rest assured that you have done more than a lot of people would have done for this boy and do not feel guilty about his injury, we have all been there and made a decision not to phone a vet out thinking the situation would resolve itself.
 
I'm one on here who NEVER would advise anyone to PTS a horse, but you've done a lot for this horse and if the joint is infected, even after flushing, there is no guarantee the horse will come right and it could be a lot of money which could end up with the same result that the horse has to be PTS.
If I were you, I would get the vet out once more - to confirm or deny your fears. If it is confirmed, then I wouldn't let him suffer in pain any more and I would have to consider PTS.
I wish you the best in whatever decision you have to make.
 
I'm sorry to hear this. Unfortunately, Many are facing this decision at the moment, such is the state of the country. People are losing business and jobs left right and centre - Very few people in are financially secure in this country right now. Only the mega rich really.

You have a few options and a lot of thinking to do. Your vet will most likely work out a payment plan - My colt had an impaction and being the end of the month i had absolutely no money - My vet had never even met me but treated my horse and set up a direct debit for the amount for my payday (A few days after the incident). They are usually decent people and wouldn't want to leave an animal suffering.

However, I think you need to find out the chances of the treatment setting him right - Are you likely to get yourself into debt for a horse that will likely need to be PTS in a few months anyway?

I do hope things work out what ever you decide.
 
I'm sorry but I fail to see why people have horses when they can't afford the basics to keep them?

If the OP can't find the funds and he appears to be such a lost cause, then the fairest thing for him would be to PTS right now. This however will not be cheap as the OP will have to pay for the vet and for the animals disposal as I'm guessing(correct me if I'm wrong) that the hunt wouldn't want to take him as he's being medicated up to this point.

Personally, based on common sense I have one horse who has everything that she needs in money terms, time and dedication and that's why I don't have several that wouldn't have these things.
 
Elsbells said:
I'm sorry but I fail to see why people have horses when they can't afford the basics to keep them?

If the OP can't find the funds and he appears to be such a lost cause, then the fairest thing for him would be to PTS right now. This however will not be cheap as the OP will have to pay for the vet and for the animals disposal as I'm guessing(correct me if I'm wrong) that the hunt wouldn't want to take him as he's being medicated up to this point.

Personally, based on common sense I have one horse who has everything that she needs in money terms, time and dedication and that's why I don't have several that wouldn't have these things.
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And what would you do if your situation changed tomorrow? Do you know your horse would sell if you had to? It's not hard to understand how someone ends up in OPs situation.
 
Don't have any useful advice to add op. But just to say don't feel you owe it to him to go into debt you can't afford. It's very easy to say where there's a will there's a way, but when you are truly skint its not always that simple.
 
Elsbells said:
I'm sorry but I fail to see why people have horses when they can't afford the basics to keep them?

If the OP can't find the funds and he appears to be such a lost cause, then the fairest thing for him would be to PTS right now. This however will not be cheap as the OP will have to pay for the vet and for the animals disposal as I'm guessing(correct me if I'm wrong) that the hunt wouldn't want to take him as he's being medicated up to this point.

Personally, based on common sense I have one horse who has everything that she needs in money terms, time and dedication and that's why I don't have several that wouldn't have these things.
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So what would you do if your circumstances dramatically changed within a week?

There is no clear answer especially if you have a particularly difficult horse/field ornament/long term sick or injured animal.

No one is a fortune teller! Good on you for having just one though so that you could leave a comment like that, praise be you!!
 
I do agree with the fact people shouldn't take horses on if they can't afford or come up with some arrangement should they become ill. I am by NO means well off but I do have her insured and would do anything and everything to raise funds to help her if she needed it. If I couldn't, then I took the decision when I bought her that pts would be my decision if I couldn't rehome.
 
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