Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

I am so sorry you are going through this. Other then breaking a leg, colic is my biggest fear for my horses. When it comes to your situation there is no right or wrong answer as both options are bleak. It sounds like it is either surgery or euthanasia. I will give you a little insight on how my thought process would go in a situation like this. First off is age, a young horse is going to have a chance to recover easier then a older horse. If I had to due to their age, I would not put Louis or Russ through colic surgery. Dirt is young and only 5, it would be a option for him. Another consideration is cost. As you now know, colic surgery is not cheap. Added to that there will also be pain management and antibiotics during the recovery. It sounds like you can afford it if you chose in your situation. I'm sure everyone though has a point though where no matter how much we love our animals there is a point where you have to say "if the cost reaches or goes over a x amount of money I won't do it." It sounds harsh, but, we have a emergency fund put back for the horses. If it exceeds that, especially by a good amount, no matter how much we love them our family could struggle. Add to that, besides my family at home there would be 2 other healthy horses who are still going to need basic care and food. Frankly speaking saying all that, if colic turned into a surgical case I would probably opt for euthanasia for all 3 of mine. Another factor I personally have to consider is that none of my local vets have the facilities to offer surgery. I'm looking at a 3 hour trailer ride to Rood and Riddle in Lexington.

That’s very insightful and thank you for your patient opinion. You have no idea how much I appreciate your input. The Colorado veterinarian (I wont name) said he wouldn’t be able to come to California for one horse patient, and that his practice is quite full of patients who have his attention already. (I did plead with him for his assistance) now I’m texting back to my veterinarian about the situation. I have NOT decided yet what I will do. And Chaco’s comfort is very much a factor in my decision. This is hard for me!

 

[featherhead007]

I am so sorry you are going through this. Other then breaking a leg, colic is my biggest fear for my horses. When it comes to your situation there is no right or wrong answer as both options are bleak. It sounds like it is either surgery or euthanasia. I will give you a little insight on how my thought process would go in a situation like this. First off is age, a young horse is going to have a chance to recover easier then a older horse. If I had to due to their age, I would not put Louis or Russ through colic surgery. Dirt is young and only 5, it would be a option for him. Another consideration is cost. As you now know, colic surgery is not cheap. Added to that there will also be pain management and antibiotics during the recovery. It sounds like you can afford it if you chose in your situation. I'm sure everyone though has a point though where no matter how much we love our animals there is a point where you have to say "if the cost reaches or goes over a x amount of money I won't do it." It sounds harsh, but, we have a emergency fund put back for the horses. If it exceeds that, especially by a good amount, no matter how much we love them our family could struggle. Add to that, besides my family at home there would be 2 other healthy horses who are still going to need basic care and food. Frankly speaking saying all that, if colic turned into a surgical case I would probably opt for euthanasia for all 3 of mine. Another factor I personally have to consider is that none of my local vets have the facilities to offer surgery. I'm looking at a 3 hour trailer ride to Rood and Riddle in Lexington.

That’s very insightful and thank you for your patient opinion. You have no idea how much I appreciate your input. The Colorado veterinarian (I wont name) said he wouldn’t be able to come to California for one horse patient, and that his practice is quite full of patients who have his attention already. (I did plead with him for his assistance) now I’m texting back to my veterinarian about the situation. I have NOT decided yet what I will do. And Chaco’s comfort is very much a factor in my decision. This is hard for me!

 

[featherhead007]

Yep you are soooo correct! Which is why last year we told my cousin no to any of her flock. But her setup is IMHO not the best, and a couple of her hens got frost bite combs.

Anyways have a bit of time to worry about her chickies. She needs to just sell those 2 duck hens.

Why can’t some people, just listen to reason?!

 

[featherhead007]

We have two local lakes just full of discarded pet ducks! (Just saying.)

Yep you are soooo correct! Which is why last year we told my cousin no to any of her flock. But her setup is IMHO not the best, and a couple of her hens got frost bite combs.

Anyways have a bit of time to worry about her chickies. She needs to just sell those 2 duck hens.

 

[Ponypoor]

There’s a hospital in Colorado with a much more experienced staff, but Chaco can’t make the trip all that way there. I’m offering to bring the surgeon from there to help Chaco here. I’m waiting on his reply.
What a mess this is!

Ok, Alex I would never tell you what to do but… colic surgery is very tough on horses, and even if she survives, the likelihood of scar tissue in the surgery area is very high and likely end in her getting further colic.

A very famous show jumper Big Ben had 2 colic surgeries the third time he could not be saved. But the owners had enormous amt of funds to ensure this horse had all the top notch care. And most importantly he was very lucky his colic surgery was successful- most aren’t.

My veterinarian’s mare had colic they took her to the top equine hospital here in the country and they could not save her, he spent thousands to just put her on the table open her up and the Vets to decide she was not able to survive.

My horse that died from colic I decided not to even send her to Guelph, it was way too expensive (around $12,000 at that time just to open her up with no guarantees), and I knew that she would likely have many remaining issues - not have a very happy life - if she did survive. I had my Vet euthanize her -

From my experience and all my friends experience with colic, if surgery is the only option and there are no guarantees I would humanely euthanize. Sometimes being a good fur baby parent means making sad, heart wrenching decisions for their well being.

BUT as I started with, this is your decision to make, I am not there and don’t know your horse or vet, whatever decision you make you know I (and everyone here) will stand by your decision and support you.

It takes nerves of steel to have pets and children…

 

[Ponypoor]

We have two local lakes just full of discarded pet ducks! (Just saying.)

Well nothing like that here - too cold in winter and the authorities here make sure no domestic fowl run amok.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

That’s very insightful and thank you for your patient opinion. You have no idea how much I appreciate your input. The Colorado veterinarian (I wont name) said he wouldn’t be able to come to California for one horse patient, and that his practice is quite full of patients who have his attention already. (I did plead with him for his assistance) now I’m texting back to my veterinarian about the situation. I have NOT decided yet what I will do. And Chaco’s comfort is very much a factor in my decision. This is hard for me!

Again, I am soo sorry you are going through this. Whatever your decision and the outcome please also remember this. Colic is cruel and indiscriminate. Young, old, breed or even value of the horse it does not matter when it hits. If you follow the horse racing industry you will find several a year are lost to this horrible condition. These are horses with whose owners money is not a option, they are minutes away from the best possible care and experienced vets. You can throw everything at them in efforts to save them and it all be in vain.

 

[featherhead007]

Authorities here

Well nothing like that here - too cold in winter and the authorities here make sure no domestic fowl run amok.

really don’t do much caring for those lakes and parks. Mostly volunteers take care of them.

 

[Ponypoor]

They are, but...they are soooo funny and have such character...it sort of makes up for it!

The issue is that I am not set up for ducks, I only have the small hen house and I don’t think they will nest in the bottom nest boxes at night.

And then getting water everywhere as I am told they need water to eat - ??

 

[featherhead007]

Again, I am soo sorry you are going through this. Whatever your decision and the outcome please also remember this. Colic is cruel and indiscriminate. Young, old, breed or even value of the horse it does not matter when it hits. If you follow the horse racing industry you will find several a year are lost to this horrible condition. These are horses with whose owners money is not a option, they are minutes away from the best possible care and experienced vets. You can throw everything at them in efforts to save them and it all be in vain.

You and PonyPoor have been such a great friend to me through this. I will advise you on my next move.