I did try a demonstration on the cat, that was almost as dangerous as a panicking 17hh horse! ?
Good news, bad news... Charlie helps
- Thread starter Jane&Ziggy
- Start date
Like @carthorse , I fear that the prognosis for your hot water bottle cover is poor 
Well, today he was up, but so, so lame in the morning, hobbling on both back legs. He still didn't want me to shut him up, though, so I gave him bute in his breakfast and plenty of hay (which he ignored) and a cuddle (which he tolerated).
I agonised all day about whether I should just call the vet, but this afternoon he is more comfortable, walking rather than staggering even though it's clear the leg hurts him a lot. Perhaps he had just got up - it always knocks him for 6. He seems so calm and contented grazing with Charlie, I can't believe how much pain he's putting up with.
I agonised all day about whether I should just call the vet, but this afternoon he is more comfortable, walking rather than staggering even though it's clear the leg hurts him a lot. Perhaps he had just got up - it always knocks him for 6. He seems so calm and contented grazing with Charlie, I can't believe how much pain he's putting up with.
@Jane&Ziggy it is so hard. I'm having doubts with Little Un at the moment so I do appreciate where you're coming from. When did the vet last see him, and were you happy with that vet? I had a different one out to Little Un today and now we have a new plan - which is more what I wanted to begin with - so I'm carrying on trying for now. Would a fresh pair of eyes be useful for you and Mattie? A review of pain relief and where the lameness is, how to manage him for the best quality of life.
Good question @carthorse . The vet I had was one of the best from my practice, and she was kind and very empathetic to him, but she wanted to know what was wrong and how it could be fixed and was talking about x rays, nerve blocks, horsepital, and things which (a) I don't want for Mattie at his time of life and (b) I can't afford. IShe also insisted on box rest, which I understand but which he just can't take. 'm reluctant to recall, TBH.
That's tricky @Jane&Ziggy . My experience is that sometimes you have to be very up front with them and say |I know he can't be fixed and \I don't have the money for a battery of expensive tests, I just want to know how to keep him comfortable and happy. The wanting to run tests and not medicate for anything not supported for a test was one of the main reasons I wanted a different vet, the other was a timescale that was completely unrealistic unless I wanted to end up with a pts. I felt some of the tests she wanted weren't in Little Un's best interests and that's where I draw the line, he's a pony not a walking condition with no feelings.
Could you ask for a different vet, and be very blunt with them before they even set eyes on Mattie? Just because someone is an excellent vet doesn't mean they're right for you and Mattie. It sounds like you need one who is less inclined to need tests to diagnose and more willing to use some sense. And by telling them you know he can't be fixed and all you want is quality of life you take the pressure off them to perform a near miracle.
Could you ask for a different vet, and be very blunt with them before they even set eyes on Mattie? Just because someone is an excellent vet doesn't mean they're right for you and Mattie. It sounds like you need one who is less inclined to need tests to diagnose and more willing to use some sense. And by telling them you know he can't be fixed and all you want is quality of life you take the pressure off them to perform a near miracle.
@Jane&Ziggy did you ever work out where the injury was exactly? With all of Jess myriad of ailments I’ve tried quite a lot of alternative treatments for things because for one reason or another she often can’t have the preferred treatment, for sore swellings I get a DSMO and steroid gel from the vets and it is really very good to use in addition to NSAIDs to get things under control fast, might be worth asking about as additional support while he has time to heal x
@carthorse , @Jessey , thanks so much for your continued help and interest. He is much, much better this morning, strolling about in the rain without a care in the world - no head bob when he walks, no nostril flare, eyes soft not hollow, hind limb moving straight, and he is even following me for scratches and head rubs. I suspect that yesterday he had just struggled to get up before I saw him, it always really hurts.
My equine movement specialist friend / chiropractor has seen video of him and my trimmer watched him walk, and they both think the injury is high up, in his stifle or hip. So do I, for what it's worth. I am thinking about red light treatment to help the healing, and anything else people can suggest! Magnets? Massage?
My equine movement specialist friend / chiropractor has seen video of him and my trimmer watched him walk, and they both think the injury is high up, in his stifle or hip. So do I, for what it's worth. I am thinking about red light treatment to help the healing, and anything else people can suggest! Magnets? Massage?
I think anything you can do to gently stimulate the area is likely to help healing, I’d start with ye olde hot water bottle if there’s stiffness, alternating with ice packs can be beneficial. Those big joints/muscle/ligament area can be slow to heal.
I bought Storm the Equilibrium magnet boots to aid her healing / help with the stiffness of being semi-box rested. I swear they worked - she seemed lots better with regular use of them. I don't know if something like that would work for you - but worth a try.
Here's a link (I know they do other magnets and massage pads so worth a look maybe you can find something that will fit)
www.equilibriumproducts.com
Here's a link (I know they do other magnets and massage pads so worth a look maybe you can find something that will fit)
Horse Massage | Equilibrium Products Limited
Buy Horse Massage products online at Equilibrium Products. Order online today.
www.equilibriumproducts.com
I have their massage mitt, when I fell and tore the core muscles in my pelvis (stabling the hip) all the painkillers they gave me barely scratched the surface, but that mitt helped no end.I bought Storm the Equilibrium magnet boots to aid her healing / help with the stiffness of being semi-box rested. I swear they worked - she seemed lots better with regular use of them. I don't know if something like that would work for you - but worth a try.
Here's a link (I know they do other magnets and massage pads so worth a look maybe you can find something that will fit)
Horse Massage | Equilibrium Products Limited
Buy Horse Massage products online at Equilibrium Products. Order online today.
Thank you Trews, I will have a look!I bought Storm the Equilibrium magnet boots to aid her healing / help with the stiffness of being semi-box rested. I swear they worked - she seemed lots better with regular use of them. I don't know if something like that would work for you - but worth a try.
Here's a link (I know they do other magnets and massage pads so worth a look maybe you can find something that will fit)
Horse Massage | Equilibrium Products Limited
Buy Horse Massage products online at Equilibrium Products. Order online today.
Yesterday I went over to work with Charlie and found Mattie down. I could see him making efforts to get up so, inspired by @Jessey , I grabbed my ropes and headed up towards him.
Although I could get the ropes on him OK, he didn't want to lie still to be rolled. I think he hadn't finished trying for himself, if you see what I mean. So I let the ropes go and let Charlie, who I had been shooshing away, come back up to Mattie.
Charlie stood by his head, licking and nibbling his face and ears. Not biting - he was being gentle - but persistent. I could almost hear him saying, "Come on, mate."
And blow me down, Mattie gave an enormous heave and got up. He had to use the bad leg to push, and he was hopping lame after, but 5 minutes later he was walking again as well as he had been earlier.
I was very grateful to the good Charlie and feel a bit more hopeful about Mattie's recovery. Time will tell of course - doesn't it always?
Although I could get the ropes on him OK, he didn't want to lie still to be rolled. I think he hadn't finished trying for himself, if you see what I mean. So I let the ropes go and let Charlie, who I had been shooshing away, come back up to Mattie.
Charlie stood by his head, licking and nibbling his face and ears. Not biting - he was being gentle - but persistent. I could almost hear him saying, "Come on, mate."
And blow me down, Mattie gave an enormous heave and got up. He had to use the bad leg to push, and he was hopping lame after, but 5 minutes later he was walking again as well as he had been earlier.
I was very grateful to the good Charlie and feel a bit more hopeful about Mattie's recovery. Time will tell of course - doesn't it always?
Charlie did it again today. He nibbled and nipped at Mattie's crest and poll and ears until Mattie sat up, then nibbled at his bum until he got up completely! I wish I had filmed it, it was amazing. Afterwards I thought Charlie would hassle him to play, but he just seemed to say, "Job done," and strolled away to eat.
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