Posted 2007-08-02 10:54 AM (#64906) Subject: Yet again
Veteran
Posts: 235 Location: Keymar,Maryland
For the second time in about a year we have had to euthanize one of our own. My wifes current ride. This has been an extremely hard decision, not one easily made. He was 11 and we had him for 6 years. Always a bit jumpy, he became much worse over the last few months. In ealy June he bucked her off on a camping trip cracking 2 of her ribs. And just 2 weeks ago he blew up at another camp trip, requiring a vet call.He broke his tail and injured his back when he flipped over. Fortunatly no one hurt but he coliced and did not pass manure for over 7 hours. I honestly expected us to euthanize him the next morning but he pulled thru.His blowups and jumpiness were getting worse, with closer frequency and it was just a matter of time before someone got seriously hurt. Regardless of all the possibilities ( EEE, EPM, West Nile, etc., wife works for equine vet), the end result would likely be the same.He had also started cribbing out of the blue.Very frustrating as he could be good as gold and carry her over some very difficult trails. It became too unpredictable. He had obvious mental changes.He was becoming weak behind and looking a little neurologic. Vet suspects he had a tumor due to history and evaluation right before we decided to put him down.We weighed alot of options but with us liking to ride and camp we were not comfortable putting him out to pasture under someone else's care while gone ( their safety).Not going to sell him as he was dangerous ( I reiterate, this was not a training issue), and not getting sold for slaughter ( however I'll state for the record we have no problem with slaughter, we just don't do that to ours). Treatment would have required serious money ( though if we thought a good outcome was possible we would have done it), but the financial end only figured very lightly into it.In the end we decided he had 6 excellent years with us,saw come country , and we would not stand for not knowing his outcome or to have him degenerate more and suffer. So with heavy hearts and many tears we said goodbye.Sigh, Rich.
Posted 2007-08-02 1:22 PM (#64916 - in reply to #64906) Subject: RE: Yet again
Elite Veteran
Posts: 648 Location: Coconut Creek, FL
I'm so sorry and know how you feel. Last Fri I had to put my wonderful cat of 16+ years to sleep due to kidney failure. She followed me around the house like a dog and I was closer to her than any animal in my life. The house is empty without her presence.
Animals become such a strong important part of our lives, they depend on us for their care, give us unconditional love, and knowing when it's time to say goodbye is part of that responsibility. As hard as it was, you made the right decision, doesn't make it any easier and they say time will ease the pain..... it will be a long time coming for me. take care
Posted 2007-08-02 3:53 PM (#64934 - in reply to #64906) Subject: RE: Yet again
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 490 Location: CA
So sorry to hear that. I've had to put down my beloved pets in the past and it's always a tear jerker. As much as I know it's the right thing and the right time, I still cry buckets. You've got lots of company. If there's a horsey heaven, he's there now.
Posted 2007-08-03 7:09 AM (#64993 - in reply to #64906) Subject: RE: Yet again
Veteran
Posts: 282 Location: southcentral pennsylvania
I commend you for doing the right thing. You are a true horseman, rather than someone who owns horses. Over the last 40+ years I have held 8 of my equine friends as they have left this life. My philosophy is that I bring them to my farm, and help them through life, as they in turn, help me through mine. My last gift to them is to be with them when it is time to go. Sometimes that time arrives prematurely, sometimes it is the ravages of old age. It is always HARD! I also know what it is to lose two in a close time frame. One winter I lost 2 old friends within 6 weeks! Be kind to yourself......grief is the hardest work you will ever do.
Posted 2007-08-03 3:09 PM (#65040 - in reply to #64906) Subject: RE: Yet again
Veteran
Posts: 235 Location: Keymar,Maryland
Thank you for all the kind reply's. No we did not post mortem. Deep down we probably would have liked to have known but the situation was so sickening to us we just needed it to be over. We almost called it off up to the last minute but when our vet observed him he pointed out a few things we had not seen and it really drove home that this was the right thing. Sometimes you look at things too much and begin to question yourself about what you are seeing, it's difficult to keep from interjecting human emotions and an outside party can level things out.We never felt he was " quite right" as he had an unusually short ( even by horse standards) attention span. Almost like ADD or something.Generally he liked to go out and would come to the gate when he saw the trailer being hooked up and always jumped right in. Some days would carry her over some very hard trails without an incident and then others on a leisurely wide grassy path would totally lose it for no apparent reason while I sat on my horse who did not bat an eye.It was definitely progressing though. The last two times when he blew it was apparent he saw or heard nothing just complete melt down, and went into shock afterward that took a considerable amount of effort to get him stabilized. She got him as a green broke 5 year old, started from scratch on ground work and progressed up. Despite the rocky progression, just figured he was a little spooky and high energy for several years as incidents were not close together and usually mild. He just had to be ridden in a forward manner with an alert rider. Despite all this they had a relationship. Then in the last 3 months he went down quick, kinda like multiple personalities and began to show physical changes as well.Our vet is pretty convinced he had a slow growing or dormant tumor that " took off" as he got older.Several signs pointed to EPM but it is not known to wax and wane.All in all we are on the conservative side. No skimping on vaccinations, dental,farrier,wormer, teeth, etc. and do the usual investigations at any odd sign but once you are at the point they need to be hospitalized, MRI's etc. where do you really end up in the long run and how does this equate to the horses quality of life ?.Tough calls to make. I recently read maybe here somewhere about when to make the call and the best thing I read was better a day early than a day late. Thanks again, Rich.
Posted 2007-08-03 6:27 PM (#65066 - in reply to #64906) Subject: RE: Yet again
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781 Location: La Cygne, KS
So very sorry about your loss. You are to be commended on doing the right thing and not passing the problem on to someone else. That is true honor. Not to mention the most humane action for your beloved horse. Take comfort in knowing that you and your wife will meet him again across the rainbow bridge.
Posted 2007-08-03 9:18 PM (#65074 - in reply to #64906) Subject: RE: Yet again
Regular
Posts: 93 Location: Cherokee, Ia
I feel for you. Lost 3 of my horses during a blizzard, highway and semi accident 4 yrs ago. Still have nightmares. Then 2 months later, my stud died,I was sure it was colic ( vet made a HUGE error). You did the right thing, even tho' I know how you felt. Thank god for people like you who would rather put the horse down and end his suffering, rather than pawn him off on some unsuspecting rider, just for the money. I am so glad to hear that your wife was not hurt. At least you tried with him, and gave him a good home for a few years. Pat yourself on the back for trying....and being a decent horse lover!! Better luck with a new ride! Too bad we cant' keep them forever, but guess heaven needs horses too!!
Posted 2007-08-05 10:01 PM (#65213 - in reply to #64906) Subject: RE: Yet again
Veteran
Posts: 207 Location: Illinois
I'm so sorry for your loss, I remember the last one you posted.
With that, I'm just in shock. I went through a nearly identical situation 2 years ago. My gelding was my best friend, had been for 16 years. Lets just say we knew each other. I could tell when he was sick long before any symptoms, I just knew him. 2 years ago he started acting "off". I told my husband that I thought his eyes changed size (I know, sounds kooky). About a month after I noticed changes, we had blood drawn to rule out stuff. The reports came back to confirm my suspicions. He had leptospirosis. It had taken his sight (nearly all) in 3 short months. Then he started just getting mean. He'd charge the fence if anyone besides me came back to the corral. He wouldn't quit mounting my son's mare. He kicked the tar out of my 2 colts, so we separated him from everyone. He went wild without the mare,and jumped the fence for her (tearing up his back legs). Finally, my vet commented to me "you and Mike need to talk". It hit me like a brick. I knew what he meant by that, but didn't want to believe it. My vet said, how would you feel if he killed your son or you? As a responsible person, I couldn't knowingly keep him around. Selling was OUT of the question, I couldn't betray him or harm someone else. Euthansia was my only option. It was a tough day to say the least. He was quiet, like a little old man. Sadly, I led him onto the hillside and he died quietly in my arms.
I'm not trying to take over your thread, just be assured that your not alone. If he was injured or mamed I could have justified it, even though in my heart I knew it had to be done. His quality of life was gone, and in reality he already was too.
I still cry and think of him often. He was truly one of a kind.
Sorry for your loss, hard decisions we have to make, but they are best. People and our safety must come first, it's a heavy price.
Yet again
