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 Maine-iac
Posts: 3334
   
Location: Got Lobsta? | Posted on here about a week ago how horse went off of feed. Had the vet out, everything was good, nothing in blood, no lyme or cushings detected. Still didn't eat so had vet come out again as I spotted a lump under his belly. I made him fully check his teeth, nothing there. Found a heart mumor grade 5, and the bump was an edmina from poor circulation. He's 27 and I just want to make him comfortable. I've had him for 22 years and I'm heartbroken. Within 3 weeks went from bouncing around to this. Anyone experience this and can give advice? I don't want him to starve to death. He started doxy for 10 days "just in case" there is an infection they can't detect. Feeling we are just throwing stuff to see if it sticks. Any help would be appreciated! |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| Prayers for your boy |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| Mainer-racer - 2017-01-19 5:30 AM
Posted on here about a week ago how horse went off of feed. Had the vet out, everything was good, nothing in blood, no lyme or cushings detected. Still didn't eat so had vet come out again as I spotted a lump under his belly. I made him fully check his teeth, nothing there. Found a heart mumor grade 5, and the bump was an edmina from poor circulation. He's 27 and I just want to make him comfortable. I've had him for 22 years and I'm heartbroken. Within 3 weeks went from bouncing around to this. Anyone experience this and can give advice? I don't want him to starve to death. He started doxy for 10 days "just in case" there is an infection they can't detect. Feeling we are just throwing stuff to see if it sticks. Any help would be appreciated!
Either email or go to secondvet.com and tell Dr. She'll what is going on. He has a new herbal supplement for circulation. I have no idea if this would help your boy, but he will. He's really nice and is all about doing what is best for the horse. Prayers for you and your horse. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 555
Location: In the rockies. |
Acupuncture!
The infared camera showed no circulation in my horses back left hindquarters all the way down his hoof. Two acupuncture treatments later full circulation and no more problems. Total cost $450.
We had spent over $3000. on two different vets trying to figure out the problem.
Good Luck!!
Edited by GOBABYGO 2017-01-19 8:31 AM
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | Make him comfortable. He is 27 (and I realize you know that) I would say if you have magnets or BOT to put them on him and help him through. Very sorry that this is the way your new year is going. Our animals mean so much to us but sometimes there is little we can do.  |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 407
| I agree Back on Track blanket would help alot with circulation |
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 Expert
Posts: 5293
| I had a horse who was 29-30 that did same thing. My vet told me that as horses age their circ system really slows down. Because of modern feed and meds etc, horses are living a lot longer than they would have in the wild. Mine eventually couldn't empty his bladder so we tried low dose of lasix every few days. Eventually we put him down the next week. When the vet put him down even, it took a lot longer than normal because of the low circulation. |
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Maine-iac
Posts: 3334
Location: Got Lobsta? | Thank you all for your prayers and advice. Funny never thought of my PHT blanket, great idea. I'll put that on and yes make him as comfortable as I can. I realize 27 is old, but when you also have a 28 year old and a 33 year old, it made me think he wasn't that old. I've had horses for 28 years, this will be the first I've had to put down. I've been lucky. Still makes it hard. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | Prayers and hugs for you! |
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Regular
Posts: 57
| So Sorry, I had a 26 y/o go through this a few years ago, not much can be done. The heart is not strong enough to pull the blood back, and will pool more a more, chest, under belly and the legs. It is basically heart failure. My horse never went off feed but lost weight really fast, she never acted in pain or like she felt that bad, came home form work one day and she was laying down never could get her up. It was a warm sunny January day figured she laid down enjoying the sun and just was to week to get back up she was bright eyed and did not seem in distress but would not even try to get back up. Vet said it could take longer when putting her down but really didn't. He also said it was rare that usually their heart just stops like a case of sudden death. |
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Expert
Posts: 4766
Location: Bandera, TX | I'm really thinking this is the end of his time. My prayers for you as you go thru this transition with him. Cypress essential oil helps with circulation.
When they go off feed it's due to the organs unable to perform their functions any longer. Enjoy all the wonderful memories... |
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Maine-iac
Posts: 3334
Location: Got Lobsta? | Well MAYBE good news. Last night he ate 1/2 pound of grain and I put on his PHT blanket. This morning he actually ate 1 carrot, 1 apple and 1.5 pounds of grain!! Maybe good OR........that bounce back before the end comes. I appreciate everyone's kind words and advice. Means so much to me. I'll keep you updated |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Mainer-racer - 2017-01-19 10:50 AM
Thank you all for your prayers and advice. Funny never thought of my PHT blanket, great idea. I'll put that on and yes make him as comfortable as I can. I realize 27 is old, but when you also have a 28 year old and a 33 year old, it made me think he wasn't that old. I've had horses for 28 years, this will be the first I've had to put down. I've been lucky. Still makes it hard.
Sending prayers for you and your boy. I have a 34 year old, and I know that's OLD but I also know how hard it will be when it comes time to let him go. That I will have to give myself a very stern talking to about not being selfish and doing what's right for Dan. I dread that day, because like you, I've never had to let one go before. . .  |
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | The grade 5/6 murmur is probably significant, and yes, the edema is most likely secondary to right sided heart failure depending on whats causing the heart murmur. Animals will cough with left sided heart failure because fluid backs up into the lungs. But in right sided heart failure, fluid backs up behind the heart, and you can get edema of the legs and or abdomen. Have they considered giving him lasix? In small animal medicine there are quite a few options to treat heart failure. In horses, things are more limited. You may consider getting an opinion at a referral center like a university that has the ability to do an echocardiogram of his heart. It's a special ultrasound that measures the heart chamber sizes, the wall thickness of the heart, and look at the function of the heart valves. That can help you a lot with deciding on prognosis. at TAMU we have a really good equine internist who specializes in cardiology. They will also pull the small animal cardiologist over for referrals as well. Not sure what state you are in or what options you have for referral. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 822
Location: Southwest New Mexico | I'm sorry. Sending prayers your way. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12842
| I had a horse that had this same thing. It progressed fast. The horse spent the night at the vet's then came home the next day. He got bad fast and was in a lot of pain. I drove to another vet and got a shot of romping, already gave him a shot of Banamine. Nothing helped. All I can say is that this NEVER an easy decision but don't let him get to the point where he is in pain. Hard decision but it was the best decision. It doesn't get any easier on the second one. |
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  Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | Biohesper C/K and vitamin E, therapy magnets. age has caught up with the ol boy.
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Checking in to see how things were. . . . |
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Maine-iac
Posts: 3334
Location: Got Lobsta? | Thanks for asking for the update. Well another fluid buildup as formed on his chest right between his front legs. Still doing doxy but added Red Cell as he is anemic. I thought for sure today was going to be the day. But Saturday, Sunday and this morning he ate all his grain and his hay. He seems more energetic but I'm not fooling myself. I'm buying time, he doesn't seem to be in any pain, that would actually make the decision easier. They did suggest I do the ecogram (?) and I said the horse hasn't been in a trailer for 10 years and hates it, I won't do that to him. I asked if it would make an difference and he said in this case no but we would know what is going on. I don't want a time line when I may have to put him down. Denial, yes, but he's not in any pain. ARGH - So thankful for the prayers and advice. He's the horse I bought myself when I got diagnoised with MS. (oh poor as me present) I purchased him from a meat barn and he went on to win 8th in Open poles at the Congress a 1D State NBHA championship and Horse of the Year runner up for AQHA. He is a gift from God, I don't want to let go. |
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 Georgia Peach
Posts: 8338
Location: Georgia |
I had something VERY similar happen to my older gelding last year. Same deal, went off his feed and developed a lump near his sheath area. He has very lethargic and depressed acting. To save you all the long details, over the course of a month we ran every test possible. Cushings, lime, strangles...you name it, we ran that test. The lump got bigger and moved toward his chest area - which the vet said was edema from poor circulation. They didnt detect anything wrong with his heart. They suspected it was some kind of infection upsetting his intestines causing the stomach lining to become inflamed. We spent about $1000 in antibiotics alone, which seemed to help but did not get rid of whatever was causing the swelling. We eventually took him to a university where they ran more extensive tests but still couldnt find a cause for any of it. We threw him out to pasture and hoped for the best. The majority of the swelling went away but even today he still has a few small pocked on his belly. All of this started in Dec 15' and I started back lightly barrel racing him in August 16'. He did awesome and I cant explain how happy I am to still have him in my pasture. My point is of all this is dont give up on him. It could be unrelated to his heart and he might just have some mysterious thing going on like my guy did. Sorry you are going through all this. I know how stressful it can be. |
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Maine-iac
Posts: 3334
Location: Got Lobsta? | Thank you very much for sharing this!! I just am so surprised AND happy he is eating again. Wondering if the antibiodics are working. So happy your guy is back to himself again. :) |
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Georgia Peach
Posts: 8338
Location: Georgia | Mainer-racer - 2017-01-23 9:50 AM Thank you very much for sharing this!! I just am so surprised AND happy he is eating again. Wondering if the antibiodics are working. So happy your guy is back to himself again. :)
Mine was in a bad place for several months and we knew we had to consider the options if he didnt start to show improvement. He is 22 this year and has been with us since he was 5 - so it was very hard to imagine letting him go. I'm sure you are having a tough time but it sounds like your guy has had a great life with you. I pray he bounces back from this and you can enjoy several more years together! |
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Georgia Peach
Posts: 8338
Location: Georgia |
Also just going to share my original thread in case it can help you out in any way.
http://forums.barrelhorseworld.com/forum/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=468453&start=1? |
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 I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| I understand EXACTLY where you are coming from. I fought a nasty sinus infection in my good, 30yr old rodeo mare for over 6 months before she developed another mysterious issue and I had to make the decision to let her go.
I would be doing what you are doing, my best to keep him comfortable and happy. I do suggest that you make sure he is getting pre/probiotics a couple of hours after antibiotics if you are not already. I think you are doing your best to walk that fine line of trying to help him be comfortable and putting him through hoops that really do nothing to help.
Hugs and prayers. |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | rodeoveteran - 2017-01-23 12:11 PM
I understand EXACTLY where you are coming from. I fought a nasty sinus infection in my good, 30yr old rodeo mare for over 6 months before she developed another mysterious issue and I had to make the decision to let her go.
I would be doing what you are doing, my best to keep him comfortable and happy. I do suggest that you make sure he is getting pre/probiotics a couple of hours after antibiotics if you are not already. I think you are doing your best to walk that fine line of trying to help him be comfortable and putting him through hoops that really do nothing to help.
Hugs and prayers.
I think RV said it just right---you're watching for "the sign" but as long as he's comfortable and not in pain, then you rightfully want to keep him with you. And I think that's what the loving owner would do. He couldn't be in a better place than with his momma who loves him and is going to do right by him. God bless you and him. . . . |
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Sad - help with any info on horse with circulatory problem