soz not contributed for a while, but it has been a really worrying time here again.
to cut a very long story short, we have a 17 year old mare here, who had a nasty fall back in june, and was not expected to live, but despite having broken ribs and damaged lung, has pulled thru and is , well on the road to recovery. but on weds last week , she went down hill again.
she was very poorly, off her food, and worst still off her feet. she just laid down and would not get up.
the vet was called, after i did all the checks myself for colic etc, and she diagnosed peritonitis. she gave her 24 hours to improve, and if she didnt she was to be put down. well she did inprove after painkillers and antibiotics, even tho as he said they will be masking her pain, and the vet was pleased with her progress the next day, and gave her more injections and said the next 24 hours is crucial.
so i had no sleep for 2 nights checking her every few hours. on friday she took a turn for the worse, and the vet was called out again to do the final deed for her, and put her out of pain.
when he came, he was all set with the injections for her, but decided to give her one final examination.
checked her gums, still pale, eyes were bloodshot, heart rate was up, and breathing rapid. he then went on to give her a tap ( draw fluid from her stomach ) when she started to object. she had this done 2 times in the past 2 days and didnt flinch ). when he had to take her temp, she double barrelled him, not once but twice, he had to put a twitch on her to calm her.
well done for her, if she had not shown that spirit, she would have been gone by now, as it was, he decided that she had too much fight in her to let her go........
so now with 24 hour care for the next few days, more penicillen and gentle walks she is back to her old self.
the vet seems to think that she had been fed apples by someone, and they had fermented in her stomach causing the symptoms of colic. peritonitis is equally as dangerous as colic, and can kill a horse in a matter of hours.
so now i am back to my normal routine again, and can get back to posting regular on here.
Kathy
Oh dear Mogs, a worrying time. I'm so pleased the mare is on the mend though, a fighting spirit indeed
Libby
oh my goodness mogs, how worrying, hope things are still improving!
mogs
just got back from checking her, and yes she is still improving, thankfully.
she even called to me and trotted accross the field, ( well i did have a bucket of feed in it for her, so that was prolly what she was running for....fofl ) but a good positive sign.
i thought you might like to se a picture of her. this was taken before her accident.
agapanthus
That's a fantastic result Mogs!!!!
TheGirlsMum
Fantastic and what a lovely lady she is
mogs
yeah she is gorgeous, if somewhat stubborn, but perhaps that has gone in her favour.......too stubborn to give up.
today is her last day for penicillen, so she still not out of the woods yet, just hope nothing returns once the penicillen is out of her system.
another gentle stroll again today from one field to another, change of scenery for her, but she wont be in the large field for a while, as there is a lady who's house backs onto the field, who will insist on feeding the horses....perhaps this was the cause of the trouble.......and holly's diet has to be carefully looked at. only grass for the moment, then hay when the grass has no goodness in it.
Libby
then I would go and tell this lady how close to death Holly was!
Don't be horrid about it just matter of fact as she is obviously ignorant about the seriousness of this!
Maybe say only 2 apples per horse, per day, so she still has the pleasure but limits the amount!
mogs
i have asked her libby, several times.
there was a pony here that was prone to laminitis in the past, so diet had to be restricted......asked this woman if she would do me a big favour and not fed the horses in spring until i said it would be ok again......thinking limited amounts would be ok in the winter......what did she do, not feed them for a week ~!!
so i asked again, but she seems to take no notice......
i suppose the next step is to put an electric fence up so they cannot get to her gate, but knowing her, she would prolly come out of her garden and walk to the fence to fed them........gggggrrrrr.
but i will have another word with her, surely sooner or later it will sink in....or perhaps i should show her the vet bill.???? £430 at the moment....and thats just 3 call outs and examinations, 4 injections, and penicillen. sadly holly is not insured.
sadly holly is not insured.