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alpacastoo
Silver Member
 Wales
292 Posts |
 Posted - 22 Jun 2010 : 3:50:59 PM
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Hi, sorry I have not been on for a while. Since the nights got lighter I have been rushing around trying to do far too much, as we all do, but things keep going wrong. I have just lost my little Sheltie Tessa.... it was quite sudden really. She had arthritis, or so we thought, but she wasn't responding to her medication (or supplements etc), anyway her pain seemed to be getting worse and after a couple of weeks and different meds, I took her back to my vet and asked if she could have cancer. I am afraid she did (well at least she had a tumour that turned out to be growing rapidly, it may not have been cancerous, not sure). There was nothing we could do. We took her home on the Saturday and gave her some new stronger meds to keep her comfortable. She was really good that afternoon and the next morning, managed to wag her tail and walk round the garden with me. Later that day (Sunday) she seemed less comfortable, by Monday she wasn't walking at all well. Things deteriorated and she became paralysed in her hind quarters. Her pain was manageable but she was becoming distressed as she couldn't get up. I went home from work at lunchtime on the fateful day and sat with her on my knee all afternoon. She had treats and lots of cuddles and later that day the vet came to pts on my lap. We all cried bucketloads and her son, Bruce is rather lost at the moment. RIP Tessa, you will always be in our hearts.
I was still keeping up with everything else, then my sheep started to lamb (later than I thought)and one ewe decided to give birth to twins in the most inappropriate and dirty plot she could find, then abandoned them in disgust (they are now on the mend but it took some hard work and persistance) and my alpacas started to give birth, earlier than they should and one or two needed a little help (unusual for alpacas)... my senior stud alpaca developed a jaw infection and had to have a tooth out, my persian cat decided to develop an allergy and lost all the fur on his face... he now looks like a gremlin with a pink, hairless and swollen face and blocked up ears.... he is responding to treatment thankfully.
What next you ask?? Well, I have spent this summer training my Part Bred Quarter Horse for western training. She is doing really well and everyone loves her... We took our first ride together last Tuesday night, only 15 or 20 mins with me aboard and Geoff my trainer leading her, as she got used to my weight and responding to the aids whilst being ridden. Brillian, I was so looking forward to progressing. On Sunday, in between emergencies with sheep and alpacas, I noticed she looked a bit stiff. I brought her in Sunday night, she was still a little stiff Monday so I asked the vet to have a look. She has LAMINITIS..... OMG. In over 30 years this is the first time I have come across this terrible condition on a personal front.
I now need to pick your brains if I may. She is about 12 years old (might be 13 this year, good heavens) - she is overweight and I have restricted her grazing to get weight off - so far to no avail. She will now be stabled (rubber mats) with lots of woodshavings to give a soft deep bed. Vet said no haylage just old hay soaked (got to find some now). She has had an anti-inflammatory injection today and he has given me bute for her. He said to see how she goes. I am thinking I should put frog supports on her??? I will change her diet to Dengie Hi Fi Lite (suitable for laminitics) and have bought some Formula 4 Feet.
What next guys......????
I want to nip this in the bud and get her sound.
Should I ask my vet to X-Ray her now (he thought it was in its very early stages and an x-ray wasn't necessary just yet.... but I am worried)
HELP
Thank you all for your kind patience.
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Milotkha
Gold Member
535 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2010 : 4:19:19 PM
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Hello Alpacastoo..
Ooh it does sound like a right roller coaster ride going on at your home lately.... sorry to hear about Tessa... fingers crossed all is well with your other furry friends.
With regards to your horse... hmmm... I would say an x ray is a bit early, as you may be able to treat it without having to go down this route. Your best just completely restricting her diet and keeping an eye on her. I am sorry if this isn't much use  I havent ever had first hand experience myself, but friends who have dealt with it have put their horses on fresh air diets and all is well.
I hope she gets better soon.
Kim |
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Edited by - Milotkha on 22 Jun 2010 4:19:55 PM |
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moatside
Platinum Member
England
3224 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2010 : 4:21:11 PM
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Go out and pick some cleavers (sticky weed) and feed her as much as she can/will eat. Pick and wilt/dry nettles and do the same.
See if you can get some Global Herbs Lamiprone & Rebuilder.
Most of all do not panic. |
www.spanglefish.com/kasanarhythmbeads/ |
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pinkvboots
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3290 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2010 : 4:27:08 PM
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Oh no you have really been through it haven't you With regards to Laminitis my mare had this in 2008 she was 22, not that overweight had been bigger in previous years but then it is not always caused by weight.
I called the vet as soon as I found her that morning I knew it was serious, she told me she had increased pulse in both fronts the off side was stronger. she gave me bute and ACP for one week complete box rest, and told me she would come back in a day or so when she was more comfortable to x ray both feet to see what we were dealing with, neither pedal bone had any rotation but there was a slight sinking in both.
I don't know how lame your horse is but I would think an x ray is crucial at the beginning so you know what your dealing with, although another mare at our yard had very mild Laminitis and they didn't x ray her she just stayed of any grass for about 3 weeks and she was OK.
I would also suggest you soak your hay overnight and feed very little but often I put the hay in 3 haynets with tiny holes so they can only get a small amount at a time.
When you say she was stiff in the field was she just uncomfortable? or visibly lame my mare looked like I had asked he to walk on glass maybe your horse only has a very mild bout I would ask the vet again and find out how severe he thinks it is.
It sounds like you might have caught it in the early stages, I am sorry I cant help much more I looked on various sites for Lami they are really helpful, it is an awful condition I hope she only has a mild case and recovers soon. thinking of you x |
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Loopy Lou and Saahm
Bronze Member
England
123 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2010 : 4:27:45 PM
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I was in a very similar situation a few years ago with my purebred gelding. He would have been about 16/17 years old when he developed laminitis for the first time in his life. It was my own stupid fault  because we had slowed up workwise and the weight went on slowly over a period of time. We think we caught it within an hour of the first signs. My friend had been up the yard an hour before me and he was fine and by the time I got there he was in the typical laminitis pose. Called the vet immediately and he spent a few weeks in on rubber matting and a nice deep bed with just hay little and often (he was not amused!) After a couple of weeks we made a very small pen in a field with very little grass. Then after another few weeks but him on a small very bare paddock. He is now at home and shares with my mini shetland. I restrict his grazing to 2 hours a day of nice grass and the rest of the time on a very bare field with hay to keep him amused. Touch wood, we haven't had any repeats!
I hope she gets better soon and hope things start to get better for you too  |
    
Louise from Norfolk |
Edited by - Loopy Lou and Saahm on 22 Jun 2010 4:30:55 PM |
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alpacastoo
Silver Member
Wales
292 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2010 : 4:44:16 PM
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Thank you everyone.
Pinkvboots - she just seemed to walk slowly with shortened strides. If she stands still for a while she doesn't want to get going again. Vet checked her pulse in all feet, appeared to be the front ones that were most affected. She wasn't showing any signs at all last week, well at least I didn't notice anything. She is overweight and I have been adding bicarb of soda to just a little food (alph a) this week to help her reduce weight. I wonder if that could have caused it? She was stabled a lot this winter owing to mud fever and the very wet and cold winter. I think I will have to build her a sand paddock for this winter so she can live out as much as possible without the risk of mud fever, dust allergies and now laminitis. Hopefully diet will put her right. As soon as I get home from work I will start picking those weeds, Moatside - cleavers? Are they the sticky sort of weeds with little sticky balls on them? |
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Pasha
Platinum Member
England
3622 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2010 : 4:55:09 PM
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Have to dash off and am sure can't add anything.... but Moatside why Cleavers?
I have just brought a bag for Shesky as he wees ALOT I think, although vets don't think so and his legs also get a bit puffy - I thought it was for the Lymphatic system?
I do also pick it for them, but never manage to get much!
Magnesium is meant ot be good for weight watchers and I give both my recovering Lamis (one Cushings, one stress + rye grass) it every day - about £10 for 90 days worth from a Natural online store xxx |
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moatside
Platinum Member
England
3224 Posts |
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Suelin
Platinum Member
England
2514 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2010 : 5:40:31 PM
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| OMG you poor soul!! What a catalogue of disasters. I hope all is mended soon. |
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Pauline
Platinum Member
England
3185 Posts |
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Karon
Gold Member
England
1411 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2010 : 6:39:43 PM
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With mine, I soak the hay for 12 hours (some say 4 hours is enough, it's just convenient for me to soak for 12), change the feed to Happy Hoof, Hi Fi Lite (if she can take alfalfa which she might not be able to) or Top Spec chaff which are supposed to be very good,. Feed a good vit/min supplement or good balancer (Baileys Lo Cal or Top Spec Anti Lam), and add Magnesium Oxide to her feed. It might take a while to shift her weight but soaking the hay will really help.
As she's overweight, it probably is caused just by her weight but if she doesn't improve fairly quickly it would be worth getting at least a blood test for insulin levels, and possibly ACTH.
Obviously keep her off the grass, and perhaps invest in a muzzle when she's sound and can go back outside. Not nice, most of them hate it (and some just work out how to remove it quickly!) but a good investment.
Hope she's OK soon, it sounds like you've caught it early so hopefully you should see big improvements quite quickly. Sorry about the rest of the disasters, too, especially losing your dog. |
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mogwai
Platinum Member
England
2717 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2010 : 7:08:36 PM
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Call Roger Hatch! Mine of information, very very good. Mine also get cleavers and hawthorn (pick the young shoots for her before they get spiney).
Laminitis is horrible, i don't envy you. It sounds like you've had a terrible time just lately. until you're sure what's going on, keep her in and feed her old hay. If you're going to soak it in this heat you need to ensure she's only getting small amounts at a time. If it's left to ferment it could cause far more damage than good.
Ros |
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Montikka
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2653 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2010 : 7:35:26 PM
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Great advice above, I would get xrays, particularly as you have a horse with lami (as opposed to a pony) and the extra weight can make recovery much more difficult due to the pressure on the feet. Opinions are mixed regarding using the frog supports, but rubber matting and shavings are a good start. Try to find old hay and soak overnight. Put the hay inside two haynets to make it difficult to get at and keep your horse 'trickle fed'. You'll then have to soak the night's hay in the day, as Ros says - you can't keep the wet hay for long.
Join a Yahoo group called 'The Metabolic Horse' - this is an excellent source of information and advice.
Very sorry to hear about your dog - RIP Tessa |
   
Louise, Warwickshire |
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artro
Bronze Member
Wales
75 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2010 : 8:07:41 PM
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I also had a mare with Lami, once diagnosed its down to management then!! ..I agree rubber matting and a deep bed of shavings old hay little and often, and also get your farrier involved.im a firm beliver in getting the feet sorted too...he can trim and dress the feet acordingly, box rest is the best way forward ..good luck
rona x |
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saddlebred
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1706 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2010 : 8:11:59 PM
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omg Mandy... I thought I was having a tough time, but you really are going through the mill arent you. I'm thankfully (touch wood!) have very little experience of laminitis - other than the acute kind following confinement so I will leave others to help you.
I just wanted to say - big hugs to you and I am so sorry to hear about Tessa. Debs x |
Based Bewdley Worcs |
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Pasha
Platinum Member
England
3622 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2010 : 09:39:17 AM
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Karon has said everything I was going to say
Little tricks for boredom breakers (if your horse is anything like mine, after a day they are planning the great escape lol): split hay into several haynets and tie in different places around the stable... weave the cleavers/nettles and other herbs you've collected (if you can) into the haynet so it takes them longer to eat them... you can put their balancer (if fed) in a snack ball and let them roll it around... hang up a rock salt lick (Rockies also do a Magnesium one called Laminshield, but mine wouldn't touch it)
Really really hope she gets over this quickly after the nightmare time you've had! Hopefully, this is the end and onwards an upwards from here!
If like me you cannot find many cleavers around (as ponies have already been along and munched them all) and/or you want a recommendation for a good Natural online store, let me know and i will PM you x |
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alpacastoo
Silver Member
Wales
292 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2010 : 10:18:42 AM
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Hi - Pasha - yes please - pm me
Last night I went round the field edges looking for Cleavers. It was very interesting to find that in the fields with the horses and miniatures there were no cleavers (they had eaten them) I could only find them in the fields with the cattle and alpaca! I picked up a bunch and gave them to Whisper, she munched away happily. She enjoyed her deep bed of shavings, ate her Formula 4 Horses with bute in very readily, and reluctantly ate most of her Hi Fi Lite ration. She looked at me as if to say "well, where is the real feed mum" I felt really mean starving her (well, she thinks I am starving her). She was much brighter last night and could move about quite freely. I moved her from her own stable to next door which I had prepared for her with the deep bed. There was no reluctance to come out of the stable. I have had to keep another horse (my old girl who was 33 on 8th june) next door to her as she will just whinny all day if she is on her own. I have now got to think up ways of rotating company for her.
How long do I keep her stabled.... I read it should be 30 days.
If she has a totally bare paddock (I have one the pigs have dug up so there is no vegetation at all) could she go out in that?
Getting hold of old hay is proving difficult.... any ideas anyone??
Does barefoot trimming help? Although not yet as her feet will be too painful I presume. Her feet are trimmed regularly, but perhaps they are the wrong shape for her.
THanks again everyone, luv Jan
I intended to ride barefoot - will this now be possible? |
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Pasha
Platinum Member
England
3622 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2010 : 10:36:00 AM
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Have pm'd you
The accepted standard is 30 days boxrest after they are sound without bute! But like with everything, individual horses require individual management, so I would discuss this with your vet and take their guidance.
Can't advise re barefoot as both mine are shod, but I do know of barefoot horses that have had Lami so I think it's possible |
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Montikka
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2653 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2010 : 10:46:15 AM
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Hi Jan, good to hear she's feeling brighter. Hopefully she has a very mild case, but if she hasn't, the bute could be making her feel better and it would be a mistake to turn her out as you could cause more damage to the laminae. You'll not know how she's feeling foot-wise until she's off painkillers. I'd get the vet to xray so you know what you're dealing with, as if she has slightly dropped pedal bone(s) she should stay on box rest until she no longer needs the bute. This could take months. ACP is quite helpful too.
Finding old hay can be difficult, you could double-soak new hay - it's amazing the colour of the water (full of sugars) you tip out, say after four hours, drain, then put the hay in a fresh bin of water.
Best of luck with her, sometimes a couple of weeks off the grass rights them, but it can take a lot more time and treatment than that.
I really do recommend you join The Metabolic Horse (Yahoo Group), a lady called Jackie Taylor is a guru on metabolic issues and is very happy to chat on the phone.
I have only had one pony with Lami (it was Cushings related and he was quite thin) but have seen many at my last livery yard with the condition. It can sometimes be quite straightforward to treat but not always. I'm sure you know - no sugar! It's quite sad that the diet has to be so restricted, but it is essential.
When she has recovered she should be able to be barefoot if she has good feet.
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Louise, Warwickshire |
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alpacastoo
Silver Member
Wales
292 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2010 : 11:32:13 AM
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| Thanks Montikka - I will look up that group. |
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marionpack
Gold Member
England
1073 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2010 : 11:54:29 AM
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| Sam has only ever had lammy once when he was about 19, it came on within 4 hours and he wasn't over weight, he was bought in in the morning ready for the farrier at lunch time, when I went up and took him out of his stable at lunch time he was very lame, farrier took shoes off and put frog supports on and he had box rest until he went sound (about 10 days), never knew what caused it but apparently stress can, and after what you have been through maybe shes picked up on it, hopefully it will be a one off case, good luck |
Berkshire
   
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Worried!!
