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Post by aoconnor on Jul 14, 2015 21:51:51 GMT
I am really sad about this horse. He came along as a freebie with my Percheron back in April. He is just a little QH gelding, about 13.3 or 14 hh at the most, and 20 some years old. Skinny little dude. He was in terrible shape when I picked them up, but until he had the ability to move around more and gain a little weight, I didn't know how bad of shape he was really in. Sadly, he is Navicular in both fronts, and is barely able to walk at all without large doses of Bute daily. He has been kicked in the upper hip on his left side and can not fully extend that leg forward so he goose-steps with that one. Between the front two and the back hip, it is painful watching him try to maneuver around. I have tried everything short of a permanent block, but my vet said that is not the solution for this boy and I agree completely. Shoes and pads haven't helped, the but wears off each evening, and I am am the end with him.
I had hoped that with time some of his issues would resolve, but sadly they have only intensified because he is gaining weight as well as moving a lot here...not a good end for this boy but the only thing I can do for him. Anyone else have to do this because of Navicular? It hurts my heart...
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Post by mollymckee on Jul 15, 2015 0:14:43 GMT
I'm so sorry. I hate to make those choices. At least he has had a good home at the end of his life.
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Post by aoconnor on Jul 15, 2015 0:41:28 GMT
It is really hard to make that final, gonna do it day. I spoke to my vet at length yesterday, but I just have to settle it in my mind before I take Ranger down there...Thanks mollymckee...
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Post by Otter on Jul 15, 2015 2:11:19 GMT
It is hard, but it sounds like it is time.
It also sounds like he was in a lot of pain for a long time and you have eased it. I'm sure he'd thank you for that if he could.
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Post by aoconnor on Jul 15, 2015 2:39:43 GMT
Thank you Otter...
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Post by WindyRidge on Jul 15, 2015 10:38:25 GMT
Adding my sympathies. I've only ever had to put 1 horse down in my horsey life so far - he foundered repeatedly and we never could figure out why. He was only 9. I've had horses I enjoy since, but none I bonded to like him. It's so very, very hard to let go sometimes. But I think the kindest, most responsible part of animal ownership is being able to know when we're keeping them going for *us* and not *them*. As hard as it is, I'm sure you're making the right call. And that this poor guy knew some love and kindness at the end of his days is priceless.
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Post by bergere on Jul 15, 2015 12:03:05 GMT
(((Hugs))) never an easy choice.
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Post by aoconnor on Jul 15, 2015 12:05:05 GMT
Thank you WindyRidge. As hard as it is to take him to the vet, it is even harder to watch him struggle every day just to keep up with my yearling filly he adores and follows as much as possible. She and one of my older mares have actually started to walk very slowly to let him keep up, the three of them are a little team. He will be sorely missed by those girls...he is their best pal.
He came with serious issues, we didn't know his outcome, we just hoped we could deal with his issues and get him clear. This will be my first one I put down like this. I did have to have my best boy ever put down a few months before he turned 2 for a serious injury he received, but that was a forced gotta, no choice on that one. It wasn't an actual decision like this is. Sigh...I think tomorrow I will take Ranger down to the vet with a couple of my other guys I have going that way for noggins. At least he won't make that last ride alone and afraid.
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Post by aoconnor on Jul 15, 2015 12:05:15 GMT
(((Hugs))) never an easy choice. Thanks bergere...this is a tough one. |
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Post by bergere on Jul 15, 2015 12:11:21 GMT
I really feel your pain.
Right now, I am dealing with Maggie, she has Cushings, IR and has foundered on all 4. I am doing everything I can for her... even bought tiny boots for her front feet. 3 different kinds of meds from the Vet,
Plus all the liniments I used on her. Special feed...etc...etc..
She still wants her food and still tries. She is my wee heart horse... and have had her a long, long time. She is only 19 years old this summer. Just middle aged for a miniature horse.
Always scared, I will go out in the morning and find her gone.
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Post by aoconnor on Jul 16, 2015 1:07:52 GMT
Coggins not noggins!
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Post by whisperwindkat on Jul 18, 2015 2:04:17 GMT
I just want to say I'm sorry and feel your pain. We had to make the same decision this past fall with my husband's horse. He was 29 years old and just struggled keeping weight on despite a special diet and getting around was difficult because his arthritis was getting worse with each passing year. He was my husband's horse and truly was bonded to him, but all of us cried that day and I still miss him. Blessings and hugs in a tough time, Kat
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Post by aoconnor on Jul 18, 2015 12:16:34 GMT
Thank you Kat, and I'm so sorry about your husbands horse. I haven't had to put one down except for a catastrophic injury that was unsurviveable, but have lost one to old age naturally, and one to a horrible accident when someone left our pasture gate open and our lead gelding (my husbands horse) got on the road and was hit. Those were all devastating, but it wasn't my hand that ended their lives, which is what I am struggling with the very most here.
Thank you for the kind words...I appreciate all of the responses...
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Post by aoconnor on Jul 18, 2015 12:20:48 GMT
I really feel your pain. Right now, I am dealing with Maggie, she has Cushings, IR and has foundered on all 4. I am doing everything I can for her... even bought tiny boots for her front feet. 3 different kinds of meds from the Vet, Plus all the liniments I used on her. Special feed...etc...etc.. She still wants her food and still tries. She is my wee heart horse... and have had her a long, long time. She is only 19 years old this summer. Just middle aged for a miniature horse. Always scared, I will go out in the morning and find her gone. Aw bergere, that is so hard. I lost Rosie this spring to Cushings and age...she died overnight and I hate to say but to be honest, I was so thankful I didn't have to have her put down. She was my little heart horse, such a sweet and kind little mare. I feel for you with Maggie, it is so hard when these guys start aging and shaving the issues that come along with that. We believe this little gelding of mine probably has foundered also at some point in his life, but the classic toe point of Navicular Disease is very evident on both fronts, plus at some point in time he injured his right hip and he has limited movement there as well. So he is fighting several different issues all at once, and he is losing the fight. But his eyes...oh his eyes. The hope, the hurt, the pain, the try...it shows so vividly in his eyes. I almost can't look him in the face knowing what I am going to have to do to him. |
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Post by here to stay on Jul 18, 2015 16:24:56 GMT
I have read this thread several times without replying. I always want to help but can't think of anything useful to say. Just that he is lucky to have someone to make the decision after fully giving it every try but also not being willing to let him suffer on out of an unwillingness to deal with it.
I am sorry as it is a heart wrenching place to be.
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Post by Otter on Jul 18, 2015 18:39:29 GMT
I'm going to be a bit hard core here. Did you hurt him? Did you say "Know what, I'm going to make you old. And then cripple you." No, you didn't. Life did, and life is hard. What you are "going to do to him" is make sure that his death isn't hard. Don't feel guilty about that. If you could wave a magic wand and make him young and healthy again, you would. But you can't and that just sucks and hurts and is the worst feeling in the world. But it's not your fault.Some things we don't have a choice about. I don't remember having a choice about being born. You don't have a choice about your horse dying. An ancient saying is "we are all born owing the gods one death". Here's what you do have a choice about - you can make his death gentle. I have seen a lot of death, far more than a person my age should, and I can tell you that I have only ever seen three gentle deaths that were not assisted by humans. Not people, and not animals. It happens, that someone just slips away. But far too often, it doesn't. But you can make sure that your horse just painlessly passes. I don't want to add to your pain. Truly, I don't. Please believe me when I say that this is so, so much better than letting nature take its course. I have not regretted putting an animal down. I have regretted, deeply and endlessly, letting nature or fate or god or whatever you want to call it have it's way. Now, I've regretted the need to do so, I have pitched a fit about the tragedy and unfairness of age and disease and injury and screamed and cursed and threw things to get the hurt out. But that's not exactly what you're doing, is it? You are feeling guilty that you are going to kill this animal that trusts you and you are wrong. Time and injury are killing him. Not you. You can let time and injury have their cold, cruel, merciless way with him, or, because he trusts you, you can help him in the only way that's left. It will hurt. But don't put guilt on top of it. Read this as many times as you need until your head hammers the knowledge into your heart. Which is not easy, I've had this conversation with myself a lot lately, and you have my total sympathy. I am sorry that you are going through this. |
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Post by aoconnor on Jul 18, 2015 20:44:24 GMT
Otter, thank you. I needed to hear that put in that way. I have dealt with a lot of death as well, sadly, but have only had to actually euthanize one horse and there was no option. I don't believe there is an option with this little guy either, it is just a sad thing that it comes at a time when he is better taken care of and loved than he has been in a long time. But I know all things are for a reason, and I am here to help these situations along to a final end. So I will buck up, repeat what you have said to my self, and take care of him in the way I know I need to..
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Post by Otter on Jul 19, 2015 17:53:27 GMT
I'm glad i could give you a little comfort. You are in my thoughts
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Post by Mari-in-IN on Jul 20, 2015 17:16:42 GMT
aoconnor, I just came across this thread and wanted to let you know how sorry I am in regards to what you are going through... Just reading through all of the responses (and yours, too) really brings tears to my eyes... Just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers... Take Care, Mari
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Post by aoconnor on Jul 20, 2015 20:06:46 GMT
Mari, thank you very much. I still haven't made that call yet to the vet...sigh. I need to do ONE more set of x-rays, just to be positive. I couldn't let him go without one set of films to see at least. Stalling...
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Post by Mari-in-IN on Jul 20, 2015 20:15:51 GMT
Your welcome...
Granted I've never had horses...but...can't blame you for wanting to be absolutely positive in order to ease your mind...
Regards,
Mari
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Post by aoconnor on Jul 20, 2015 22:45:34 GMT
Yep, gotta be certain or it will haunt me. I just put my old kitty down this afternoon, but she was in renal failure...age related...so don't feel too bad about helping her out. She was a good girl for many, many years, and I will miss her pretty self. But she was totally ready, and I knew it. My gelding....ugh. I hate this.
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Post by mollymckee on Jul 20, 2015 23:38:10 GMT
You are the only one that can decide when it's time. If they are not in pain or it can be medicated, and there is a chance I will give them time, as long as they are comfortable.
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Post by aoconnor on Jul 21, 2015 1:15:13 GMT
You are the only one that can decide when it's time. If they are not in pain or it can be medicated, and there is a chance I will give them time, as long as they are comfortable. Thanks mollymckee, I am struggling with this. I don't feel right about it yet, so x-rays will hopefully either put my mind completely at rest, or it will give us a few options to try before we give it up. |
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Post by countrymom22 on Jul 24, 2015 3:16:17 GMT
I'm so sorry you are facing this so soon after losing your cat. All we can do is help them to leave this world when the suffering is too great. That is the final gift we can give them for all that they have given us.
I'll keep you in my prayers, that you can find peace with your decision.
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Post by aoconnor on Jul 24, 2015 12:49:20 GMT
countrymom22, I appreciate the kind words. He has a reprieve for now, the bute is working ok for daily, but long term I know where he is headed. I don't see it happening for a couple more weeks, as soon as a few other things settle down here. Then it will time to make a decision with him.
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Post by aoconnor on Aug 14, 2015 23:08:27 GMT
RIP sweet Ranger. Had to let him go today vet visit was very bad, made the choice to put him down. He is no longer in pain...
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Post by manygoatsnmore on Aug 15, 2015 0:08:20 GMT
I'm so sorry, aoconnor. You know you did the right and loving thing, but it still hurts, doesn't it.  (((Hugs))) |
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Post by Otter on Aug 15, 2015 0:26:52 GMT
My condolences
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Post by mollymckee on Aug 15, 2015 3:53:00 GMT
I'm so sorry.
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(((Hugs)))