Would you scope or see how they go?

[OrangeAndLemon]

Deleted.

So sorry Stenners, big hugs

 

[nutjob]

I'm so sorry it's turned out like this, there's so many devastating things that can go wrong with your horse.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

I’m so sorry Stenners. Big hugs.

 

[Stenners]

I'm so sorry it's turned out like this, there's so many devastating things that can go wrong with your horse.

The hardest thing is she doens't look poorly, she looks like she could event tomorrow! Shes only 8, it seems so cruel! I know what I need to do buy the hardest thing is having to come to terms with it

 

[GrassChop]

I'm so sorry to hear this and sorry if it was already suggested but would really watery mash not work or would that still get stuck?

 

[Tiddlypom]

So sorry, Stenners.

 

[SO1]

Unfortunately Fridays scope wasn't such a positive outcome ;(. She's been on a mash and grass diet for a week and after 16 hours of being starved, her stomach still had a lot of food in it (mash should take 45 minutes to go through). The vets told me they could clear it if she spent a few days there but once she's fed again it will just come back. They told me they can do no more for her and will be a matter of time and seeing how she goes. She will never make any more than a light hack at most (we were eventing last year), she won't be allowed hay for the rest of her life, purely a grass and a small mash diet only so she will be high maintence. She is at a high risk of colic and choke daily and also once she get scompact again her stomach could rupture at any time ;(. Absolutely devastating.

I am sorry to hear this. This sounds like what my beautiful Homey had. He was 20 and his situation was worse as when they scoped 5 weeks later after after they cleared his stomach following a week in hospital and being on the same diet as your horse food could be seen in his oesophagus.

They could see nothing wrong with his stomach and he looked amazing for a 20 year old. Vet thought it was nerve damage and food was not being pushed through properly. I had him since he was 5 and had 15 years with him until he developed his condition. My vet advised pts due to the risk of stomach rupture. It broke my heart.

PF another member on here also lost a pony to the same condition.

 

[Dave's Mam]

So sorry.

 

[ihatework]

Sounds like one of the very hardest situations I’m so sorry.
Young visibly healthy horse that has serious underlying issue. Sounds like a time bomb on a short fuse that will turn into a critical and expensive emergency.
I think I’d be inclined to spoil her rotten for a few days and say goodbye while on your terms and remember her not in acute pain. Xxx

 

[Stenners]

I'm so sorry to hear this and sorry if it was already suggested but would really watery mash not work or would that still get stuck?

That is what she's been having, most feeds its like soup.

 

[GrassChop]

That is what she's been having, most feeds its like soup.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

 

[Stenners]

Sounds like one of the very hardest situations I’m so sorry.
Young visibly healthy horse that has serious underlying issue. Sounds like a time bomb on a short fuse that will turn into a critical and expensive emergency.
I think I’d be inclined to spoil her rotten for a few days and say goodbye while on your terms and remember her not in acute pain. Xxx

The vet suggested one final option just as a reassurance thing is to bring her back into work for a month really lightly ride her for 3-4 weeks and get her rescoped, he said the outcome is likely to be the same but miracles can happen he just highly doubts it . I'm in 2 minds if to enjoy a few last rides on her whilst she's still comfortable and to give it a try.

 

[maya2008]

Sounds like one of the very hardest situations I’m so sorry.
Young visibly healthy horse that has serious underlying issue. Sounds like a time bomb on a short fuse that will turn into a critical and expensive emergency.
I think I’d be inclined to spoil her rotten for a few days and say goodbye while on your terms and remember her not in acute pain. Xxx

Exactly this, and I think it’s what you were hinting at OP. So hard to come to terms with though. So horrible a thing to happen to such a young horse.

My only helpful advice would be, that when you make the decision, don’t book it too far in advance. The waiting is absolutely horrible, the very worst part. Afterwards, you miss them like crazy but you know they are not in pain. Before, all there is, is worry and horrible anticipation.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Horrible though it is, I’d swerve trying to have a nice few last days with her and instead book her in for PTS as soon as possible. She won’t know any different, but there is a real risk otherwise of it suddenly becoming an emergency.

It’s so rubbish when it’s a young and apparently well looking horse .

 

[SEL]

The hardest thing is she doens't look poorly, she looks like she could event tomorrow! Shes only 8, it seems so cruel! I know what I need to do buy the hardest thing is having to come to terms with it

The vet suggested one final option just as a reassurance thing is to bring her back into work for a month really lightly ride her for 3-4 weeks and get her rescoped, he said the outcome is likely to be the same but miracles can happen he just highly doubts it . I'm in 2 minds if to enjoy a few last rides on her whilst she's still comfortable and to give it a try.

Does he think the extra movement would help with her gut mobility?

I think you need to give yourself a bit of time to breath. Yes in some ways it's awful to delay any PTS decisions but if your horse isn't currently in pain or suffering then all the stress lies with you and taking time to think through everything might be what you need

 

[Stenners]

Exactly this, and I think it’s what you were hinting at OP. So hard to come to terms with though. So horrible a thing to happen to such a young horse.

My only helpful advice would be, that when you make the decision, don’t book it too far in advance. The waiting is absolutely horrible, the very worst part. Afterwards, you miss them like crazy but you know they are not in pain. Before, all there is, is worry and horrible anticipation.

I had my last horse (she was my realy heart horse) but down 5 years agi after 6 years of fighting lamness and didnt expect for one minute id' be having to make the same decision only a few years later again

 

[Stenners]

Does he think the extra movement would help with her gut mobility?

I think you need to give yourself a bit of time to breath. Yes in some ways it's awful to delay any PTS decisions but if your horse isn't currently in pain or suffering then all the stress lies with you and taking time to think through everything might be what you need

Possibly could even though she's out 24/7 and been galloping around daily, that should of helped too but hasn't. he suggested giving it a go as, as of now, she'd be fine for light hacking and to keep an eye on her behaviour such as not eating, losing weight, not wanting to be ridden etc. Seh didnt really tell me anything was wrong before she she's so stoic so i'm not convinced she'd tell me that clearly

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

So sorry x

 

[Annagain]

I'm so sorry Stenners.

 

[nutjob]

Gentle exercise helped my megaoesophagus horse as it kept his head up and the motion helped to encourage the food downwards. However, if the stomach isn't emptying then surely it's a problem of the sphincter not opening and I don't see how exercise would help this. Since she already had accumulated food after a week on a friendly diet, I wouldn't give her a month. There's too much risk of an emergency and not much hope of a good outcome.

 

[Peglo]

So very sorry stenners.

 

[Melody Grey]

So sorry stenners, really not the news you wanted.

I think I’d let her go. The risk of catastrophe/ emergency sounds huge and the emotional (and financial) toll of having a really high maintenance situation going forward for potentially so long doesn’t seem kind on you.

Take care of yourself and take some time to come to terms with it all. X

 

[SO1]

Gentle exercise helped my megaoesophagus horse as it kept his head up and the motion helped to encourage the food downwards. However, if the stomach isn't emptying then surely it's a problem of the sphincter not opening and I don't see how exercise would help this. Since she already had accumulated food after a week on a friendly diet, I wouldn't give her a month. There's too much risk of an emergency and not much hope of a good outcome.

Homey had 5 weeks on the special diet from scoping and at rescope he had food in his oesophagus during those 5 weeks he had one time he had one mild colic which vet thought was due to wet grass as it went with a dose of buscopan.

I found out on the Tues food was in the oesophagus with the rescope spent a few days with him and PTS on the Friday. It was really hard as he looked amazing and could still be ridden no lameness.

 

[Stenners]

It sounds awful but horses are my life and i'm currently going through a divorce aswell as all of this so i feel like ive been hit by a truck this year already . I would absolutely get another one but I feel guilty even thinking about that whislt i've still got her but they are what keeps me going and if i dont have one not sure how i'll cope! Equally i would never keep her going just for my sake.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Really feel for you Stenner, such a rubbish situation horses can be so stoic it makes it difficult to know. She’s lucky to have an owner like you. X

 

[Stenners]

Really feel for you Stenner, such a rubbish situation horses can be so stoic it makes it difficult to know. She’s lucky to have an owner like you. X

Thank you thats really kind. I need to know i have literally exhausted all options before doing the inevitable.

 

[SO1]

Thank you thats really kind. I need to know i have literally exhausted all options before doing the inevitable.

Your vet is probably best placed to advise you of what is the kindest thing to do in this situation.

What you really want to avoid is getting to the situation where the stomach ruptures so I would suggest if trying the light exercise to see if this works then rescoping a few weeks after even if she is showing no sign of pain so you catch it before it gets to that situation, hopefully it won't and the vet is right and gentle exercise will be enough to keep things moving.

Gastric impactions are rare and they still don't always know what causes them.

My vet sent me a card when I had Homey PTS saying I should be proud that I tried everything to try to get Homey better and I am sure you will do the same.

 

[Stenners]

Your vet is probably best placed to advise you of what is the kindest thing to do in this situation.

What you really want to avoid is getting to the situation where the stomach ruptures so I would suggest if trying the light exercise to see if this works then rescoping a few weeks after even if she is showing no sign of pain so you catch it before it gets to that situation, hopefully it won't and the vet is right and gentle exercise will be enough to keep things moving.

Gastric impactions are rare and they still don't always know what causes them.

My vet sent me a card when I had Homey PTS saying I should be proud that I tried everything to try to get Homey better and I am sure you will do the same.

Absolutely - to be fair the vet was clutching at straws and the light exercise is really a last ditch attempt but given that it's still full twice after being starved doesn't body well and her stomach motility just isn't returning

 

[Goldenstar]

That’s just awful news . My horse also looked fantastic so well
My friend PMed him at the kennels he had two tumours just beyond where they can get a scope in the small intestine.
This stuff is so hard have a huge hug from me .

 

[Snow Falcon]

I'd been having conversations with my vet about Flicka. I'd gone out for a quick ride one evening and she looked uncomfortable afterwards. That was about 3 weeks before she was PTS. She looked so well but on the inside she clearly wasn't. When they go at a young age it's so devasting.

So sorry that it's come at a difficult time in your life too. ((HUGS))