Mystery Horse Injuries/Illness :( UPDATED: R.I.P.

[MamaDoodle]

That is so rough to have an animal go through something and not be able to just tell you what they did...I have a dog that has eaten things and worried me sick. 

I would still think it could have been a rattlesnake bite or something like that. If I'm not mistaken, venomous bites can cause cellulitis and it can travel fast and cause tissue to begin to rot. But with a snakebite, there should have been swelling...very strange. I will be praying for him and you guys both! 

There is some swelling, but I've run the hose on the leg twice a day for ten to twenty minutes and used Epsom salts a couple of times...it's kept it down really well, thankfully, and the heat as well.

Interesting, I wonder why?  Anyway, is he up to date on vaccines?  I was thinking maybe this is a result of a stroke.  But I have no clue.  Hope you can figure this out.

He is a senior horse, so it's certainly plausible...I wish they would just consider more than their first idea.

At this point, I would just try calling all the vets in your area to see if you can get a different one out to see him. At this point it sounds like an emergency. Also, DEMAND they draw blood. They are working for YOU and they should not turn down a clients request for something, unless it is totally out there. (In this case, not at all)

Its difficult to suggest things without seeing him myself, but the high heart rate would be concerning to me. How is his breathing? It sounds like infection may have set in. For some reason your vet is not being open minded, which can be extremely dangerous in situations like this.

I hope things turn out ok. Definitely keep us updated!

I'll have pictures up tonight after a shift for work...probably 9P my time (central, I believe). His heart rate is down to 56RPM, I was just down there...he seems relaxed, considering his stiffness. His breathing is okay now that he is up.

I'll be searching different vets tonight as well, we live on the mountain base, so it's tough to find a local vet, especially one who does farm animals, surprisingly. :/

 

[MamaDoodle]

My phone isn't working properly on sending the photos to my email to post here, so I'll be on again after work tomorrow to just hook up the SD Card to the laptop instead. :/

Thank you all for the support, Trick is still standing and alert. I just have him some hay and water for the night. It's supposed to frost so covered holes with a light blanket...he might be more northern than me, but I don't think anyone wants cold and wet in open spots like that.

 

[MamaDoodle]

UPDATE

Trick laid down yesterday again and we took a while to get him up, but once up, he sure and walked and seemed okay.

Today, he is down again. We, with the help of a neighbor, rolled him onto a blanket and our another over him. He is unable to get up after an hour of effort, so until a vet returns my calls, we are just keeping him dry, warm, and using electrolyte paste. He is looking up at the other horses and munching on grass a bit at least. His holes are clean and he is pooping fine with no fever or swelling.

Hopefully, he'll be up today after some rest, if not...

 

[chixie]

im sorry. I am praying for him

 

[MamaDoodle]

Trick is still not up this morning...

We rolled him off of his worst side onto a horse blanket, covered him in other blankets, gave him some Bute and feed, and piled hay bales around him to block wind and keep warmth. We pitched a tent a few feet away and stayed with him last night, discouraging the coyote pack from doing more than looking a couple of times.

I am going back now with electrolyte paste and attempting to get him up one more time before we call the vet to put him down.

 

[res]

I am so sorry you are having to make the decision to put Trick down. It does sound like the kindest thing to do at this point if he has been down for 48 hrs....

 

[MamaDoodle]

I am so sorry you are having to make the decision to put Trick down. It does sound like the kindest thing to do at this point if he has been down for 48 hrs....

Yes...we got a friend over and they pushed him from behind while I pulled his head up. We also tried supporting him upright with hay bales, but he just laid down at an odd angle with another groan. He refused food and started bleeding out of the mouth. So I put hay down for his buddy to stand by him until the very gets here at 4. My husband is heartbroken, as this is his first horse and they had just gotten a good bond...

I'll try to post the pictures just for online diagnoses guesses. :/ Kinda late to do a blood test now...

 

[MamaDoodle]

Just buried him...husband is making a cross with his name burned into it. I thought it was nice that he was positioned to have sun rise in front of him and set behind him.

Again, thank you all for the support...any prayers or thoughts with my husband are appreciated, he is having a hard time...

 

[enola]

I have an older arab mare that is becomng impossible to keep weight on. She has been my buddy for a long time. The day is coming much too soon when I will be facing euthanasia for her. She gave me a beautiful filly 7 years ago. We will both be devastated when the time comes.

My condolences to you and your husband.

 

[MamaDoodle]

I have an older arab mare that is becomng impossible to keep weight on. She has been my buddy for a long time. The day is coming much too soon when I will be facing euthanasia for her. She gave me a beautiful filly 7 years ago. We will both be devastated when the time comes.

My condolences to you and your husband.

Thank you, and ours to you - we know the feeling of knowing what is coming too soon.

Your mare sounds like she is well loved and I'm sure she returns the feelings and affection. You and her daughter will be able to take comfort in each other, but until then, take in everything you can.