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Slave 2 Magic
Gold Member
 England
1023 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 12:34:57 PM
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My friend has a 24 year old pony who suffers with arthritis. He was finding it difficult to move on a morning so this year she has put him out on grass livery. Unfortunately he also suffers from sweet itch and although he is more mobile since being out he is rubbing himself raw. She has tried most sweet itch remedies and he has a sweet itch rug on. She has had this pony since he was 8 months old so it isn't a decision taken lightly. She feels that maybe he would be better PTS. If anyone has any alternative suggestions thay would be most welcome.
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West Yorkshire
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Joto
Gold Member
855 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 12:40:47 PM
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my old pony Emma was with me for 23 of her 25 years. When arthritis set in I had her PTS. Not an easy decision but I believed at the time, and still do believe it to be the best. Always truely heartbreaking but what is best for the animal needs to be done.
Hope this helps. |
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BeckyBoodle
Gold Member
Australia
795 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 12:44:18 PM
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A friend had a similar aged pony whose arthritis was crippling - could hardly move. She let her have one last summer and then ended it before the pony had to face another winter. With the sweet itch however, it doesn't sound like a blessing. Unless there is a swift remedy found for the sweet itch it may be best to look at the innevitable.
However, I am sure your friend will know in her heart when the time is right.
Kindest thoughts.
B |
Edited by - BeckyBoodle on 02 Jun 2009 12:48:08 PM |
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precious
Platinum Member
England
2253 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 12:45:20 PM
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No advice sorry, but think its about quality of life and she is the only one that can tell if her pony is happy or not.
Hard decision to make, thiking of her x |
     
Gemma Thompson
Birmingham West Midlands
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Goldenmane
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4964 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 12:57:15 PM
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| Definately quality of life is important, vets don't even make these decisions for us, we have to. Your friend knows him best, sending her lots of love and to be strong. XX |
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gossy
Platinum Member
England
3639 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 1:14:40 PM
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as has been said, if the Pony still has quality of life then i wouldnt end it, you know when the time is right, there are loads of herbal remedies for Arthritis and sweetitch that can significantly improve these conditions.My pony is 22 this year has sweetitch, has developed a pollen allergy 2 weeks ago, then coliced the other weekend, she is responding well to the treatment and has a quality of life.
The decision can only be yours but please explore other avanues and remedies first! |
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BabsR
Platinum Member
England
2790 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 1:24:42 PM
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Agree with all said.....It is the Pony`s quality of life that is most important. Arthritis makes him suffer more in the Winter...and the Summer comes as no blessing. Clearly if the poor pony is suffering and stressed by the effects of the sweet itch and the vet cannot administer an effective remedy.......feel your friend may well be faced with making the right decision and bring to an end the Pony`s
uncurable irritation and stress.
If your Friend loves and cares for her old boy...do this last kind act of devotion for him
Be strong, our thoughts are with her
Babs
www.SunrayAngloArabianStud.co.uk |
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bexr
Gold Member
England
818 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 3:11:33 PM
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A very hard decision to make. Like others have said quality of life is so important.
My ex had a fell pony that had bad arthritis, and he was going to be pts, then someone got him to try magnetic boots, and they worked wonders for him. He wore them for 8 hours a day, and within weeks was much better.
Also re. sweet itch, try fetching the pony in for the evening when the midges are at their worst, then turn back out again. This might not be possible, but it can help.There is a injection the vet can give them to help against sweet itch.
I wish you friend well with her decision. |
Bex |
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faymouse
Silver Member
United Kingdom
412 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 4:17:48 PM
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When they begin to have more than one problem to cope with PTS is often the kindest route.
I would be inclined to discuss the situation with my vet first.
My sympathy. |
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barbara.gregory
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4531 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 5:34:24 PM
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A very cheap and easy remedy for sweet itch unless it is really bad. I had a horse who rubbed it's mane and tail and I put liquid parrafin with a little tea tree oil mixed in on the areas she rubbed. The midges can't bite through the grease. It will take a while for the bites your horse already has to stop itching but once they have stopped he won't be bitten again. You need to apply it twice a day, morning and evening but it works.
Barbara |
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Di Ellis
Silver Member
United Kingdom
415 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 10:35:49 PM
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| What about Aqueous Cream BP. That is Liquid Paraffin based white soft cream which I use to repair the cracks in my hands during the winter months; I believe I have used it before on a pony that had sweet itch. It is a great skin softener as well. |
D.S. Ellis
Somerset
marbonarabians@yahoo.co.uk |
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Eidirb
Junior Member
31 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 10:52:38 PM
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I have one pony with sweet itch and another with arthritis, so sort of understand this predicament!
What sort of rug does the pony have? Mine is in a boett and it has made a huge difference. Also, electric fencing is great as it leaves nothing to itch on. Nettex do a long lasting fly cream which helps and they do recommend cutting out garlic, as it suppports the immune system and sweet itch is a over-reaction of the immune system, so doesn't need supporting!
It may also be worth looking at what global herbs do, as I believe they have some really good products.
Good luck, whatever your friend decides to do. |
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Mrs Vlacq
Platinum Member
Wales
3776 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 11:23:54 PM
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| always a horrible decision - could she maybe try a different field for him - somewhere windy so fewer midges? we like to give them a good summer of sunshine, grass and warmth, then call it a day - it'd be awful to find him down and unable to get up in winter ... |
    
- V Khazad - V Calacirya & V Sulime - Quarida(L) - V Boogie Knights - V Hamra Tofiq |
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Slave 2 Magic
Gold Member
England
1023 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2009 : 2:56:30 PM
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| Thanks for all your replies. I know my friend is finding it hard as she also lost her mare in November. He has a boett rug on and I know that she has tried most lotions and potions. He had the injection before and if anything it made it worse. I will mention the Global Herbs blends. Would it be worth trying Roger Hatch? |
West Yorkshire
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LYNDILOU
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
13976 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2009 : 3:19:44 PM
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It is a hard one, I had to let Minuette go when her legs became so bad aged 23, but right to the end she still aet her food.
her pasterns had collapsed and I just knew her time had come, your friend will know when it is right I think the pony will let her know |
   
www.dreamfield-arabians.com |
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Pixie
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
6586 Posts |
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