TUESDAY UPDATE - He's HOME!! -- my horse has been colicking all night

Posted By

Message

Pages: [1] 2 3 4

Kara
Now Zagat Rated!

Member since 3/07

13217 total posts

Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"

TUESDAY UPDATE - He's HOME!! -- my horse has been colicking all night

I know there are only a few horse people on this board, and I don't have time to type up a big explanation -- but suffice it to say that one of my horses has been very, very sick since last night. We were up most of the night with him with only a little improvement.

Vet was there for 2 hours last night and will probably have to come back again in an hour or so. I'm home from work today so I can take care of him.

It's really serious, but he has a really good chance of getting better... He needs all the prayers he can get right now - and I need some major hugs! Chat Icon

UPDATE -- 2/29 at 12 noon.

Vet is on her way out, but not exactly optomistic at this point. I have a pretty strong feeling that he will have to go to the horsey hospital this afternoon. I only hope I can wrap up this afternoon's meeting and get home in time to load him on the trailer and accompany him to the clinic. He's a terribly nervous animal and he is calmer when I'm around. Even the barn owner (a perfectly competent, wonderful horseperson) said she's praying I make it back before he has to go (if he has to go)... She thinks he'll be calmer, too. I don't have a magic touch -- he just knows me better than anyone else.

I hope it doesn't come to that, but I can't keep him in limbo much longer. He will get the medical help he needs. I just can't think about my baby in the horsey hospital without crying... and I'm at work. Chat Icon

UPDATE - 1pm

Spoke to the vet... He's headed to the horse hospital. PLEASE pray for him.

UPDATE - 8pm

He's settled into the hospital and they're taking good care of him. He was panicking and didn't want to get on the trailer at all. Took 3 hours to get him on. He's not usually a big problem to load. 3 hours. Finally, a friend of the barn owner's came and got him on in 5 mins. He was amazing. We were despairing, as he HAD to get to the hospital. I bawled like a baby when he finally got on...

At any rate, they are taking good care of him and I'll be able to see him tomorrow afternoon. He's on IVs and meds, but they are keeping him comfortable and being very nice to him.

And the horsey hospital is more like a special barn with big stalls and round-the-clock care. I promise, he does not have to wear one of those nightgowns that shows his butt.

Thanks for the prayers -- they are really working. And for the hugs -- they are really making me feel better.

UPDATE - Midnight

Vet called at 10:30 pm to say that Phaxxton is stable and basically no change. I will get to see him tomorrow. He's gotten lots of IV fluids and will be watched 24 hours a day while he is there. If there are any problems during the night, they'll call to wake me up. If not, they'll call tomorrow. They are very good with keeping me informed. He is in good hands now!

Update - Saturday AM

Well, no news is good news. There was no "bad news call" overnight, which means he is no worse. Good news! I'll get to see him this afternoon and will get another update then. Chat Icon

Definitely optimistic at this point!

I actually slept last night, too. Thank goodness. I feel much better.

Weekend Update

Yesterday I went to see him and he was very mopey and depressed. He is NOT happy there, but -- of course he isn't. He's sick and in a strange horsepital! It's hard to see him there. He did, however, look healthier. His sides were no longer sucked in and he wasn't exhibiting signs of pain or stress.

Vet called this morning (they are SO GOOD at keeping me updated and informed) and said he's doing great. He's still very mopey and depressed and has some stinky manure (I'm guessing he means stinkier than normal - lol) -- he said that means that something in there is working its way out. That's a good this, means he's getting the impaction out. He said he can come home on Tuesday! Chat Icon

I'm going to see him later this morning for a little while. At least this time I am more prepared for how sad he'll look. Yesterday he wanted nothing to do with me, whereas he's normally extremely attached to me. Oh well. I'd be upset if I didn't understand why mommy took me to that strange place, too!

So, I'm crossing my fingers that he stays on track to come home Tuesday! Chat Icon

Thanks again for all the prayers and good wishes. They are helping a lot!!!

Monday Update:

Pax looks so much better today. He perked up a bit and was more interested in seeing me / interacting with me, etc., etc. I felt so relieved seeing him today because he was much more like the fiesty little guy I know and love so much.

The vet said he's doing much better and can come home tomorrow!! I can't wait to bring him home so he can see his brother and buddy at the barn. They keep looking for him at the barn. I think they miss him.

He's eating better today and allowed to eat more, so I think he's feeling better. Vet was very pleased with his progress. I have to say, I am very impressed with the care he received at this hospital. I'll definitely be sending a thank you card to the entire staff and maybe something like an edible arrangement, too, after he comes home. They have a huge staff who really work so hard and are wonderful to the horses AND the humans.

We'll have to watch him like a hawk for a while, but he'll be home tomorrow!

Tuesday Update -- My Best Bud is HOME and doing well!

He's home! I'm so relieved. He loaded on the trailer like a champ - like usual. No antics like we had Friday when he was sick and scared. At least now the vet hospital staff believes me that he knows how to load like a gentleman! LOL

He's doing well and seems happy to be home. He's exhausted. He reacquainted himself with his brother and his bud, had a few bites to eat, and then nodded off peacefully. Poor guy. I'm sure he didn't get much sleep at the hospital.

He's got a special diet for a few days and then a slow transition back to normal feed and exercise... but he's home and I'm thrilled!

Thanks to EVERYONE for all the good wishes, hugs, and prayers. They worked! I'm extremely grateful for all the support. Chat Icon

Message edited 3/4/2008 4:39:43 PM.

Posted 2/28/08 8:07 AM