Leo Walker
Well-Known Member
So tragically after all the dieting and obsessive care, when I finally got Frankie to the right weight and in decent work he came down with laminitis a month later. He was fine the day before, rock crunching, and then he was crippled and swaying. I called the vet, had bute and sedalin and put him on a deep shavings bed. He got better quite quickly, xrays were done that showed no rotation although there may have been some tiny sinking, the vet couldnt be certain and wasnt concerned. I was told absolutely no trimming or shoeing to be done as it could set him back and no pads needed as he had the shavings bed
A week later and he went dog lame on the front. The vets kept coming, looking at him, hoof testing him and just saying carry on as we were. I lost it yesterday, after 3 and a bit weeks of this, and insisted further xrays were done, they tried to book them for a weeks time and after some discussion they came today. Hes got sinking and rotation in the foot he is dog lame on. They still dont seem too concerned but now he has to be trimmed according to the xrays. Still no pads or any treatment other than bute twice a day.
He was booked to have metabolic tests 3 weeks ago but they were cancelled as apparently if he is in pain they will skew the results. I asked for him to have Metformin as clearly hes metabolic, I've always treated him as metabolic and this just confirms it, so I'm happy to treat him without the tests. I was told no. They wont do a cushings test either as hes only 6yrs old. I do understand the reasoning behind this, but I really think it needs doing.
They are now saying that I need to just give it time and recovery could be months. I am concerned that there is no recovery happening and it feels like we are losing him, just very gradually, but that its going to end the same way. I'm also very concerned about his prognosis long term.
These are good vets usually and come recommended by a lot of people. I've used them previously and been very happy. But not so much now! I feel I should have been more proactive, but when 2 different highly qualified vets say the same thing despite pressing then you have to believe them.
There are also issues at the yard, he hasnt had his morning bute 2 days in a row due to his feed being eaten by other animals, I found this out by accident! Things happen and I get that and its not a huge issue if I'd known and could have sorted him out another feed with his bute. All my feed got eaten as well last night, so hes had his bute tonight in chopped straw which I'm very dubious he will eat although he was picking at it when I left him. When pressed they offered me other feed but he cant eat nuts or mix etc. I'll sort new feed out for him tomorrow as soon as somewhere is open. Hes also been fed haylage by someone and I found an empty feed bucket in his stable with the remnants of feed in it. I'm assuming an oversight/accident rather than malice. I'm also concerned that the grass at the current yard doesnt suit and has contributed. I really do like this yard but given what a tight rope I'm currently on, its REALLY not working for us The vets have said he cant move till hes totally sound in walk, but the way its going he may never be totally sound again.
My OH who is non horsey but helps me an awful lot, sat me down tonight and told me to move him NOW as in bed the box up, pad his feet and take him tomorrow morning. He thinks hes going to end up PTS at the current yard whereas if I move him there is a chance he will recover, and if he doesnt then I have lost nothing as he isnt recovering as things stand. The potential new yard has other lammi ponies and has rehabbed 2 with rotation much worse than his. Theres a small team of staff so less chance of mix ups/accidents. They also have post and railed lammi paddocks for if/when he does recover. The whole set up is much better, terrifyingly expensive but if thats what it takes then so be it!
The other plus is i could change vets with no issue whereas at the current yard the vets are their vets and I dont think it would go down well as they are out several times a week to their horses. Not sure how much of an issue that would really be though.
The other option is to PTS. I really, really dont think I can do that though. Hes very bright and happy in himself and looks a million dollars. He loves box rest, he likes being in and having lots of attention. I know he must be hurting but hes a tough little guy, when he came down with it he was incredibly distressed and he really isnt at the minute. But I am aware that hes very young and if he comes right he has a long time in front of him where he will almost certainly have to live grass free and be micromanaged, and realistically one way or another the lammi/metabolic issues will get him in the end. But I dont think I can do that right now when hes happy mentally if not physically
I feel horribly guilty for not going with my gut instinct and letting it get to this stage, but when every vet you see says the same thing despite you asking over and over you start to doubt yourself. When I saw the xrays below I nearly had a heart attack as it confirmed what I was thinking all along
I'm going round in circles with this. Would you risk it and move him? If not what would you do? I've had lots of good advice from people on Facebook (you know who you are and I'm very grateful to you all!) I'm not disregarding it, I'm just making myself ill with worry and I need to make a decision and a plan going forwards
A week later and he went dog lame on the front. The vets kept coming, looking at him, hoof testing him and just saying carry on as we were. I lost it yesterday, after 3 and a bit weeks of this, and insisted further xrays were done, they tried to book them for a weeks time and after some discussion they came today. Hes got sinking and rotation in the foot he is dog lame on. They still dont seem too concerned but now he has to be trimmed according to the xrays. Still no pads or any treatment other than bute twice a day.
He was booked to have metabolic tests 3 weeks ago but they were cancelled as apparently if he is in pain they will skew the results. I asked for him to have Metformin as clearly hes metabolic, I've always treated him as metabolic and this just confirms it, so I'm happy to treat him without the tests. I was told no. They wont do a cushings test either as hes only 6yrs old. I do understand the reasoning behind this, but I really think it needs doing.
They are now saying that I need to just give it time and recovery could be months. I am concerned that there is no recovery happening and it feels like we are losing him, just very gradually, but that its going to end the same way. I'm also very concerned about his prognosis long term.
These are good vets usually and come recommended by a lot of people. I've used them previously and been very happy. But not so much now! I feel I should have been more proactive, but when 2 different highly qualified vets say the same thing despite pressing then you have to believe them.
There are also issues at the yard, he hasnt had his morning bute 2 days in a row due to his feed being eaten by other animals, I found this out by accident! Things happen and I get that and its not a huge issue if I'd known and could have sorted him out another feed with his bute. All my feed got eaten as well last night, so hes had his bute tonight in chopped straw which I'm very dubious he will eat although he was picking at it when I left him. When pressed they offered me other feed but he cant eat nuts or mix etc. I'll sort new feed out for him tomorrow as soon as somewhere is open. Hes also been fed haylage by someone and I found an empty feed bucket in his stable with the remnants of feed in it. I'm assuming an oversight/accident rather than malice. I'm also concerned that the grass at the current yard doesnt suit and has contributed. I really do like this yard but given what a tight rope I'm currently on, its REALLY not working for us The vets have said he cant move till hes totally sound in walk, but the way its going he may never be totally sound again.
My OH who is non horsey but helps me an awful lot, sat me down tonight and told me to move him NOW as in bed the box up, pad his feet and take him tomorrow morning. He thinks hes going to end up PTS at the current yard whereas if I move him there is a chance he will recover, and if he doesnt then I have lost nothing as he isnt recovering as things stand. The potential new yard has other lammi ponies and has rehabbed 2 with rotation much worse than his. Theres a small team of staff so less chance of mix ups/accidents. They also have post and railed lammi paddocks for if/when he does recover. The whole set up is much better, terrifyingly expensive but if thats what it takes then so be it!
The other plus is i could change vets with no issue whereas at the current yard the vets are their vets and I dont think it would go down well as they are out several times a week to their horses. Not sure how much of an issue that would really be though.
The other option is to PTS. I really, really dont think I can do that though. Hes very bright and happy in himself and looks a million dollars. He loves box rest, he likes being in and having lots of attention. I know he must be hurting but hes a tough little guy, when he came down with it he was incredibly distressed and he really isnt at the minute. But I am aware that hes very young and if he comes right he has a long time in front of him where he will almost certainly have to live grass free and be micromanaged, and realistically one way or another the lammi/metabolic issues will get him in the end. But I dont think I can do that right now when hes happy mentally if not physically
I feel horribly guilty for not going with my gut instinct and letting it get to this stage, but when every vet you see says the same thing despite you asking over and over you start to doubt yourself. When I saw the xrays below I nearly had a heart attack as it confirmed what I was thinking all along
I'm going round in circles with this. Would you risk it and move him? If not what would you do? I've had lots of good advice from people on Facebook (you know who you are and I'm very grateful to you all!) I'm not disregarding it, I'm just making myself ill with worry and I need to make a decision and a plan going forwards