Bailey
Humps N Horns
The Sky Is The Limit
Posts: 94
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Post by Bailey on Nov 16, 2005 13:33:43 GMT -5
Oh my gosh guys. Today has been one of the scariest ever! My colt (Jaxson) hasnt been himself for a while, but I just passed it off as the temperatures changing and not being used to our grain. Well, I finally made up my mind and had my mom call the vet for them to come out today around 2:30.
I went out to do chores today, and Jax wouldnt eat. I tried hand feeding it to him, and right after that he layed down and wouldn't get up. He was looking at his stomach, and had really bad gas. So the first thing I thought was collic. I went in the house & had mom call the vets back, they made an emergancy visit.
I finally got him up and moving & walked around our pasture for almost 2 hours while I waited for the vet. Talk about cold! But adrenaline had kicked in and I knew I couldnt stop. Jax kept going down after about 1 round around the pasture. One time he almost got tangled up in the barbed-wire fence. And it didnt help that my mare was happy-go-lucky & was running and bucking everywhere.
The vet finally got here, they listened to his heart & stomach. One side of his large intestine is working, the other isnt (or not very well). But because she couldnt really hear what she needed, they dont know for sure whats going on. He either has a twisted gut, or impaction collic. We pumped him full of mineral water, hoping that helps. If not the only other feasable option we have is to put him to sleep.
I'm waiting for my mom to get back with some Metamuseal to put in his water. The fiber will help push whatever is in there out. He's already eating hay. So thats good. I just cant get him to drink any warm water (could be just b/c its warm, I dunno).
We've got another 24-48 hours to see what happens. If he doesnt get any better or we see blood in his stool, we've got to call the vet again & they'll come out and euthanize him.
I sure hope thats not what happens. But life isnt fair. I have enjoyed him since I got him, and hope to have many more years together! Keep us in your prayers!
Bailey
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Post by twinpinesmt on Nov 16, 2005 14:35:18 GMT -5
Im sorry to hear this. Is there a vet hospital near by or a large clinic. The could do a belly tap on him and get a better clue about what is going on and they could do surgery if needed. I wouldnt worry too much about getting him eating, you need to get him drinking. If there is an impaction that will hopefully help losen things up. Surgery is drastic but it is better than the other option.
Tina (been there, done that, had the surgery done on one horse and I hope its the last one)
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Post by HThrash on Nov 16, 2005 14:36:05 GMT -5
Oh goodness...I hope everything turns out okay....Keep us posted!
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Post by BucknSpin on Nov 16, 2005 14:43:33 GMT -5
Bailey - Sorry to hear about what's going on with your horse, but don't give up hope yet!
Being a veteran of MANY colic episodes myself with our barn full of horses, I can tell you that, even though your horse acts like he's dying, most of the time, the colic episode will pass with time and some good medication and he'll be as good as new in a few days!
Besides giving your horse mineral oil, I surely hope that your vet also gave him a shot of Banamine or some other pain reliever, muscle relaxer. This will relax him and allow the colon to pass stuff through easier. From my experience, the lack of gut sounds doesn't necessarily mean there's a blockage or lack of gut motility, so don't be too scared that he's got a blockage. Chances are if he's eating now, he's feeling a little better.
It would be my guess that the reason your horse colicked was a change in your weather. I think that earlier today, you experienced that weather front that is now making it's way through our neck of the woods. This morning, it was almost 70 here, and now it's pouring down rain and temps are dropping, with a low expected of 32 tonight. This'll set off a colic episode faster than anything I know. I even said to my husband this morning that I'll be extra attentive to our horses tonight because of this front moving through - it's a perfect setup for colic.
If his colic doesn't improve, please - before you decide to euthanize him - call another vet for a 2nd opinion before you do anything drastic. Veteranarians aren't perfect and having a 2nd opinion sometimes makes all the difference in the world. Good luck - hope to hear from you in the next couple days and hear that Jax is all better!
- Dana
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Bailey
Humps N Horns
The Sky Is The Limit
Posts: 94
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Post by Bailey on Nov 16, 2005 16:25:42 GMT -5
Yes, they gave him Banamine, and then gave us 2 tubes of paste to keep giving him for the next couple days.
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Post by WI8SecFan on Nov 16, 2005 19:41:36 GMT -5
I am very sorry to hear this. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Please be sure to let us know how everything works out.
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Bailey
Humps N Horns
The Sky Is The Limit
Posts: 94
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Post by Bailey on Nov 16, 2005 20:18:57 GMT -5
We went out to give him some more Banamine & realized he's pooped at least 3 times since we put him in the stall. That takes a huge load off of my shoulders. Of course, he's not out of the woods yet, but its an improvement!
I've talked to my mom, who talked to my dad, and if he doesnt improve, we're going to call a second vet for another opinon.
Bailey
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Post by dairymary on Nov 17, 2005 0:41:49 GMT -5
sorry to hear about your horse, i hope that he is ok. question, what too the vet so long to get out there??? i had a mare and she colic twiced, and both times the vet was out there as quick as possible, the longest i had to wait was about 40 minutes.... the longest that any one at that ranch had to wait was about 2 hours, but it wasnt a life threatening injury... and yes, my mare survived both bouts of colic, and i just sold her cause i didnt have time for her with school and work. i sure hope that your horse recovers form this, colic is never fun to deal with!
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Bailey
Humps N Horns
The Sky Is The Limit
Posts: 94
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Post by Bailey on Nov 17, 2005 11:56:16 GMT -5
Our vet is at least 45 minutes away in good road conditions, but all the roads were nothing but ice. And I believe when we called, they were already on a call & had to complete it first. Oh, and these people arent the best vets in the world either. Lol.
He's doing a ton better. Almost back to normal (acting). I'm going back to school around noon, so mom will have the responsibility of checking on him afterwards. He's drinking again, and very eager to eat. If you're standing close to him you can hear his insides working, and he's pooping without a problem now. We're pretty sure he'll make a full recovery!
Bailey
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Post by HThrash on Nov 17, 2005 12:13:05 GMT -5
It is great to hear he is doing better. Just think when you get back from school he might be tons better!!
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Post by BucknSpin on Nov 17, 2005 12:39:30 GMT -5
Glad to hear Jax is doing much better! Pooping is good! When you have a colicking horse, seeing him poop for the first time is almost as good as getting a present on Christmas morning..........well, sorta! ;D Anyhow, so glad things are almost back to normal!
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Post by dairymary on Nov 17, 2005 13:48:23 GMT -5
good to hear that he is doing a lot better!!!! i can now see what took the vet so long, i was just kinda wondering what the deal was. but i am very glad that he is doing a ton better, hopefully he makes a compleate recovery!
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Post by crazy4bullriders on Nov 17, 2005 18:38:34 GMT -5
Its good to hear your horse is doing better. I know how scary it is to have a sick horse. I hope he gets back to normal soon.
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Bailey
Humps N Horns
The Sky Is The Limit
Posts: 94
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Post by Bailey on Nov 17, 2005 20:27:10 GMT -5
Got home from school, & he's just fine. I'm so happy!!! He's eating constantly, and drinking a TON. We cant keep our tank full, lol. Still giving him Metamucil and the electrolytes to help rehydrate him. Sunday I'm going to tackle cleaning his tail so he'll be able to lift it. I feel so bad! I'll probably wrap it up afterwards to keep it outta the way, and then its a ton easier to clean up!
Bailey
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Mike_LeeFan
Challenger Tour
When I ride, I have to be ready to die that day. That's the way I have to ride, to just be free.-ML
Posts: 234
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Post by Mike_LeeFan on Nov 19, 2005 0:41:16 GMT -5
i'm glad things have gotten better. one of my really good friends had her horse collic and the horse kept collicing finally the horses intestin burst and had to be put to sleep. it was really sad and she was a great horse.
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