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Post by Casper on Mar 17, 2009 19:47:05 GMT 1
I'm so grateful to you Lorraine for sharing the whole journey with us. You hear so many things but never the whole story, and rarely see x-rays and the like. You are being very selfless and generous in trying to help others whilst having all the worry with Sunny.
(((Hugs)))
xx
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Post by mandal on Mar 17, 2009 19:56:40 GMT 1
I'm so grateful to you Lorraine for sharing the whole journey with us. You hear so many things but never the whole story, and rarely see x-rays and the like. You are being very selfless and generous in trying to help others whilst having all the worry with Sunny. (((Hugs))) xx I wholeheartedly second this.
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Post by Lorraine L on Mar 17, 2009 20:12:59 GMT 1
Thanks so much. I just hope that the eventual outcome is a good one for Sunny. We are going to need lots of continued professional help and support, and good vibes and healing from here please. The odd thing about this ' bad foot ' is the actual image. EVen my vet was puzzled that the outline of the hoof, is not clear or defined ? If you look at the nail, you can quite clearly see the hoof itself but it is almost as if its not there ?! Anyway, you can see the piece almost 'missing' from the hoof wall, which is in fact, the gas pocket / shadow on the earlier ones. The farrier has pointed out two 'good points' ?!?! Yes, apparantly there are some: He has a very clear line around the bottom of the pedal bone itself meaning that its not all disintergrating ( Sp) Secondly, there is plently of toe for the farrier to play with at a later stage. The thick soul that we originaly have is not so good now. If, this situation is caused by a metabolic problem that can be sorted out, we have a chance of repair. There is a possibility that the deep digital tendon is constantly pulling at the pedal bone and making it rotate - in other words, its stuck. This might explain why one foot is progressing well while the other is not. This might also be a case that the whole thing is dropping rather than rotating further. As i said right at the beginning, there are probably more 'if's ' now and it really is mindblowing. Sunny is not needing bute as i speak and is comfortable. We have the blood tests to do tomorrow and then the farrier back next thursday. I think this will be the time where we might actually ' know ' whats going on and what the future holds. Here is the Xray and i will update you when i know more.
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chloe
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Kai's Mum
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Post by chloe on Mar 17, 2009 22:48:52 GMT 1
Oh blimey that last xray is scary! Very strange, I've never seen anything like that before...I really hope the blood tests and farrier visit can shed some light on it.
With regards Dolly's laminitis, she only had it very mildly (1/10ths lame in one hoof). On vet's orders, she stayed in 24/7 for 4 weeks on a wood shavings bedding, had her shoes pulled a week after diagnosis, and was fed hay soaked for 12 hours and her feed with magnesium in twice a day. After 4 1/2 weeks we moved yards and she had to go out 24/7 and as she was sound and could be muzzled/penned off, I bit the bullet and turned her out. Her crest went down within a week or so and her feet started to sound harder when I led her out of the field.
I got her back into ridden work as quickly as possible and she's now managing short periods without the muzzle on overcast days but is muzzled 24 hours a day generally except when I take it off to feed/groom/ride her. Her crest is beautifully soft and she's lost a lot of weight (I can feel her ribs now without pushing).
I wish Sunny's laminitis was as mild as hers and wish you all the best with getting him well again.
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Post by mandal on Mar 18, 2009 9:31:41 GMT 1
(((((((((((huge hugs))))))))))) Lorraine... sending loads of good vibes and strength to you both.x
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Post by nikki on Mar 18, 2009 13:57:17 GMT 1
Oh my goodness Lorraine! Never seen anything like that before. I really hope that you can get to the bottom of it all. Thanks again sharing Sunny's story. Its fascinating reading and illustrates what a dedicated owner you are.
It also sounds as if you have a fantastic support system in your vet and farrier.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2009 14:06:19 GMT 1
I just wanted to add my admiration for your dedication, and to join the others in their support for you and Sunny. XXX
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Post by Lorraine L on Mar 18, 2009 21:10:47 GMT 1
Thank you for sharing your situation with Dolly, Chloe. I hope that many more can contribute so that we can learn from personal situations especially as there seems to be no real 'typical laminitis '. Thank you too for all your supportive messages ladies. I find it easier to prattle on and share whats going on because it makes me question and rethink lots of things. Sunny has been with me for nearly 16 years now and apart from two odd weeks for holidays, i have seen him twice a day, every day. This gives me the confidence to state that i 'know him'. During this sorry situation, i think its fair to say that he has not been reliant on pain killers. The longest period that i considered he needed them was for 10 days. He whinnys to me every day, unless he is in pain and on those days, i intinctively know to check and double check him. I also take the point that he is a very brave chap and puts up with more than some would, bless his heart. When looking back right to the early days of the diagnosis, i can remember thinking " Ok, get into emergency mode and then all i can do is wait " The trouble with waiting is, the assumption that everything is going to plan. It also is actually very unhelpful to know that the vet to some extent will ' leave you to it, because you seem to have a bit of knowledge or seem to know what you are talking about '. Of course, i would never worry about grabbing the phone to ask a question or check if something worried me, but unless you had very regular xrays, would you actually 'know' what was going on with the hoof capsule ? The advise that the laminitis clinic gave me, was to wait for 8 - 12 weeks after the pony became sound before even contemplating turn out. I did that, but of course, Sunny being Sunny decided that this was an opportunity for a complete ' yeehaa ' moment. At this point, you stand thinking " Ok, he is probably damaging himself again, but do i return him to box rest again or hope that he will get over the excitment and i should stick with the turnout " More questions than answers all of the time.... Today, after fasting all night, the vet took 5 files of blood. Hopefully, all of the answers to the blood work including ACTH will be back by Monday. The hay ( both dry and soaked samples ) have gone off to Dodson and Horrell so i shall know more about that too. The farrier is away in Colerado but back to see us on Thursday next week, so what do i do while i wait for these answers ? Perhaps i could get my little bay chappie out and go riding !! What do you think ?! x
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Post by Lorraine L on Mar 18, 2009 21:13:16 GMT 1
PS. Don't worry - It was Sunny who fasted, not my vet !!
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laura
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going for a splash
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Post by laura on Mar 18, 2009 22:24:26 GMT 1
another one to say thanks for sharing all this with us lorraine. I think the main thing that comes out for me at the mo is how wrong things can go even when someone so caring, knowledgable and strict with management of a susceptible horse is on the case. but also that without those regular x rays you would not know just how rotated those feet are ... that right one is quite frightening to look at really . it is such a dilema re turnout isn't is ...... sunny behaves just like any horse let loose after confinement thought doesn,t he ...... they just wanna buck n fart away and dont think that they might regret it later . I know how ours would react to box rest and my own push would be if possible a little turnout pen I suppose, enought to have a good walk around but not to get up any "speed" to get jumping around I suppose. must admit that getting neds out and about is important to me as long as not in pain or getting too hyper ... that's is my thought
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Sam C
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Post by Sam C on Mar 19, 2009 23:26:05 GMT 1
I'm relatively new here and tend to lurk rather than post, but wanted to join others in saying that you're doing a fantastic job with your boy. Your posts are very familiar to me as I sadly lost my mare last april after five years battling unexplained laminitis, some of your description, and the xrays, are scarily similar!
We did the whole blood testing, metformin vitex & pergolide, hay testing & mineral balancing, tried every feed and expensive supplement on the market, had everything from heartbars to barefoot trimmers, massage, reiki, homeopathy.. the list is endless. I was also lucky enough to have an old sand paddock with a few weeds, and like you, spent hours trying to make it as interesting as possible. I took in three other laminitic ponies to create a 'mini herd'. But it all came too late. By the time I started to feel like I had some sort of understanding of the condition and all it's possible causes, and had got a sympathetic vet on board, we were already three years down the line and the damage was too far gone. We carried on trying, just one last thing, no stone left unturned, but in the end had exhausted all possibilities.
What I'm trying to say is that although it probably seems like forever, you've got access to the sort of information and advice you need so much earlier on than me, and that's going to give you a far better chance of success than even just a few years back. If I'd known what I do now, six years ago, I'm absolutely sure my mare would still be here now, and having a great time too, not just existing.
It sounds like you've got a great team around you so make sure you hang on to them! I wish you the best of luck for the future with Sunny and hope you continue to share his story to help others. I'll certainly be checking back for updates.
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Post by Lorraine L on Mar 20, 2009 0:46:55 GMT 1
Hi Sam Thanks so much for posting. I am so sorry that you made this journey with your mare but things didn't work out for her. I am clinging on to the Option one and two which we are currently working on but Option three is still there in front of us, although its not one that i choose to think about yet. My sister and i were chatting today about a little pony who used to be at a riding school locally. It made me wonder how far we have come with lami and its associated problems. This little pony lived to the ripe old age of 41. He had been laminitic for as long as anyone there could remember but he had a very strict routine of working ( taking rides out ) 6 days per week. During the day he would stand between lessons in a stall with hay. He was fed breakfast and tea consisting of: Chaff ( the old original straight plain chopped hay ) with bran and oats !!! He had turnout in a little paddock every night in the grounds of a convent and my sister says he had a 'solid crest'. The farrier would come along every 6 weeks and reshoe him, probably without any consideration of angles or particular requirements. As i say, this little fella worked his whole life but maybe the exercise kept him reasonably well ?
I think one of the really frustrating things with what we face, is the waiting. Its very much like being helpless and you live a life of hope .. hope that things are going the right way. Of course, like you, i try to keep up with different ideas, but without making any radical changes and you have to hope that your choices with the professionals is the right one.
I can clearly remember when Sunny came in lame the last time, i spent most of the night awake thinking " Did i give him any extra chaff today ... did someone come by and give him a carrot ... should i have got him in before he spotted me and started running up and down .... maybe the hay should have had longer to soak " !! Sam, i hope that you continue with your knowledge and time spent helping your mare to put it down in writing. I have learnt so much from the DG, the internet and other people's experiences, good and bad, so thank you and i hope to keep a progress report going.
Laura, i think i have got the answer to Sunny's explosive episodes, if i ever manage to get him out again. I am allowed from today to wander him up to the house and back down again just for circulation purposes. We walk very slowly together, chatting like a couple of old geezers !! At the top of the drive, we do a big turn so as not to make any strains on the limbs, feet etc. and then stroll back. If i can continue to do this and build it up in the future, it might take the ' new found freedom' idea from his brain. If there is a time when he goes out, i shall ensure that someone brings him back in later in the day before i arrive. He only goes ballistic when he sees me so hopefully its an idea which might help ?
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Post by Zuzan on Mar 20, 2009 10:51:49 GMT 1
Another thank-you for posting all this.. great thread... wonder if it should go into The Hall of Fame as it's so full of very useful info.. and moral support..
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gillmcg
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Olympic Poster
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Post by gillmcg on Mar 20, 2009 11:05:10 GMT 1
Have you thought about setting up some kind of track system so he doesn't have that 'wow, I'm free to gallop crazily across this field' feeling (even if it's only 200m square!) when he's able to go out? It really does help to keep them slowly moving along scratching about for wisps of hay and the odd blade of grass. Placing the hay and water as far apart as you can get them helps too. Exercise may well be the missing link which is why the little laminitic pony kept going for so long. When mine have the whole field in the winter they barely move at all even though there's not much grass - except for the odd manic 5 minute acrobatic display! Once the ground dries up and I can put up the track around the perimeter they seem to be pretty much constantly moving albeit slowly. Conc helps exercise Douzy as he pushes him on when he wants to stop to graze. Just a thought Lorraine. How is Sunny Dude today - any more unprovoked attacks on wheelbarrows to report!?
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Post by Lorraine L on Mar 20, 2009 11:32:05 GMT 1
Morning Gill, how are you ?
I will indeed look into the track system as i think it would definately benefit him and his ballistic episodes. Funny, he doesn't make life easy for me as aside from being a very greedy pony, he is also an escape artist. Basically, if there is fresh green grass on the other side, he will zap himself through electric fencing or bash down post and rail if he can.
The more i think about it, the more important exercise will be for him if and when we get there. He obviously has too much time and not enough to engage his brain, so just makes life difficult for me. Its a shame really, because it was only a couple of months ago that i was asking about how i could long line a greedy pony in a field with nice soft grass. Of course, at that time we had been through a period of apparant soundness ( although the xrays would prove quite the opposite ) and i thought it was the beginning of starting off a whole new getting fit schedule. Sunny is fine this morning thank you. He decided to hang out the stable door to watch Lukie while the farrier was trimming him. Of course, being my boys, Luke felt it necessary to cash in on some attention and whilst the farrier had his foot up in the air, he bit me on the side of my knee ... little sh*t. I swear i saw Sunny snigger .... ?
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