Not Choke--Update Post #15

[Whoanellie]

Jingles Needed!

Two days ago when I went out to feed I threw a flake of hay out to two horses that were turned out in the arena. Buck (http://www.tierrescue.org/Freedom.htm)went over to the flake and began eating while I grabbed another flake to throw in. The other horse in the arena charged up to Buck to take possession of the first flake. Since Buck had his back turned, the charge kind of startled him and he swallowed a mouthful of hay real quick. Choke!

Once I noticed that Buck seemed to have a blockage I quickly haltered him and began to massage his neck/throat to see if the blockage would move. No luck. I adminstered 10 cc’s of Banamine and placed him in the roundpen with only water. I asked him to keep his head down and mucous began to run out of his nose/mouth. A very small amount of hay came out when he coughed. That only happened once. He stands at the water trough mouthing the water, but not drinking. It looks like he is trying to rinse out his mouth or something.

Vet was out, ran a tube down his throat but there didn’t seem to be any blockage. Tube went all the way to his stomach without resistance. I checked on Buck when I came home from work at midnight last night. He is all sucked up (dehydrated) and continues to mouth the water in the trough.

Vet think there might have been neurological damage, but isn’t sure. He is on his way out to see if we can pump some water into him.

Has anyone had an experience like this?

Buck was originally named Freedom by the folks who contributed to his rescue from the feedlot. We began calling him Buck because he would buck his way across the arena when he was turned out. He has been a good companion to many of the TIER residents and was Jake’s (http://www.tierrescue.org/Jake.htm)best friend. We lost Jake earlier this year. He was named Freedom because he came to us on July 4, 2001.

Vet bills are going through the roof and donations are very low. We are down to a week’s worth of feed left and need to order more ASAP, but again, funds are in short supply. If it comes down to having to euthanize this dear boy, we just don’t have the funds for both the vet and the body removal.

We are hoping that once Buck gets hydrated that perhaps it will help him to turn the corner and get better. Any help would be very much appreciated.

[kmsf]

Sorry can't be of more help, but sending jingles that he is okay!

[2DogsFarm]

So sorry to hear of your trouble, jingling for Buck to take a drink ASAP!

Ask your vet if you could give him SubQ fluids to help hydrate him. This is a relatively inexpensive procedure.

I'd be afraid of an impaction colic if he doesn't start drinking pretty soon.
What kind of neuro damage does the vet think it could be? And what is the prognosis for recovery, if any?

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

Oh, no!!!!

It's always something!

Jingling.

And PS. THANK YOU. The Ralph and Virginia Mullen Foundation have come through for us, we think. Once we are 501(c)3 we can do even more to help you out.

[Chardavej]

Wow, sounded like choke but then after the first day I don't know...


BTW I sent some dribble your way, I hope it helps.

[Whoanellie]

Wow, sounded like choke but then after the first day I don't know...


BTW I sent some dribble your way, I hope it helps.

Chardavej, thank you sooooooo much. Times are difficult for everyone and even though we had some funds set aside for emergencies, those have already been depleted. The Hay fund is seriously hurting also and we cannot take funds for feed and use it to pay the vet. This year has been extremely hard, but we continue to help horses in jeopardy as best we can and work hard to care for the current TIER residents.

Thank you all for your jinlges. Keep them coming as the outcome does not appear to look good for Buck.

Vet spent 1 1/2 hrs. out here yesterday trying to help Buck. He doesn't appear to be suffering from Choke. Vet tried two different sized tubes to try to move the blockage or break it up without much success. The blockage appears to be far down and close to his stomach. Buck is able to drink, but it can't go anywhere due to the blockage.

The vet bumped the blockage quite a few times trying to break it up or move it to no avail. There was no "backwash" in the tube of feed or any kind of material. We managed to get him somewhat hydrated to the point where he is not keeping his head in the water barrell trying to get something to drink. Vet got called on an emergency while he was out here and needed to leave. He wanted to wait overnight to see if perhaps all the bumping and pushing on the blockage might have begun to dislodge something. He tranquilized Buck, got him somewhat hydrated and we will see how it goes. Vet will be out this morning.

There are several options available, none of which are really good. We can take Buck up to the vet's to have him scoped, We can opt for surgery, or we can opt for euthanasia if there is no change this morning. The first two aren't really viable as costs are already high. Euthanasia and removal of his body would bring the total (including current treatment costs) close to $1000.00.

HUGE JINGLES PLEASE!!!!

On July 4, 2009 Buck will have been with us for 8 years. He is a strong willed horse that is sooooo responsive to leg cues and a nice mover. The only reason he never found an adopter is that he has horrible allergies and is therefore high maintenance in that regard. He is worth every supplement, every grain of feed, every bite of hay, every bottle of fly spray, fly sheet, leg wraps, etc. etc. over those years. He has taught many a volunteer about strong minded horses and helped many a rescued horse learn about their position in the herd.

We are currently auctioning some saddles on ebay to raise funds. The auction funds were to be used for feed, etc. but we now may need to use them for vet bills. Benefit Auction (http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=211857)

This is tough. Thank you all for being there.

[Whoanellie]

BUMP...vet will be here later today.

[li'l bit]

Oh Wow, I'm sorry your Buck is in such distress. Huge jingles and prayers coming your way. Hugs to you.

[Chall]

Can you stall him with an IV saline drip?

[MrWinston]

Hoping for a good update.

[sisu27]

Some dribble coming your way.

Jingles for Buck.

[Simkie]

There was a gutteral pouch mycosis case at the vet clinic that sounds a bit similar to your first post. The mycosis had compromised the nerves that govern swallowing so the horse was unable to eat or drink. The owners were very attached, so they left the horse at the clinic to be tube fed several times a day. After several weeks, the horse had lost a tremendous amount of weight and was finally euthanised.

I'm sorry I don't have a happier story to share. :( :no: Is there any vet in the area with a portable scope who could come out? Sounds like that's the only way you're going to know what's really going on in there.

[ctanner]

I'm jingling for you and Buck.

[Cayusepapoose]

I'm right there with you, please Buck pull through.

[Whoanellie]

Thank you for your caring/generosity sisu27!

Thank you ALL for your jingles & your prayers. These things help so much during those hard days!

7/3/09

3 weeks ago when the vet was out on another call (my own 35 yr. old mare was not acting quite right..... she’s fine now...just a gas colic) I had the vet check Buck out because he was getting so fat! I figured that Buck (and some of the others) were getting heavier due to the fact that we had switched from feeding Orchard hay to feeding Alfalfa simply because of the price of hay and funds being tight. Buck came to TIER when he was appx. 17+ yrs. old and has been with us for almost 8 years. So, at his age, the vet felt that his “fatness” wasn’t really a big concern. I was concerned about his elderly ‘fat sheath’ appearance, but the vet said just to give him more turnout time, which I did. He was turned out for days at a time in the arena and all the moving around/interacting with the other horses helped his ‘fat sheath’ to not be so prominent.

In a matter of 4 days this fat boy went from looking very shiney/healthy to being “sucked up” due to dehydration and his hipbones were visible.

As I said, the vet returned and the prognosis for Buck really wasn’t good. Vet didn’t have a scope long enough to do an exam and to do so would have necessitated taking Buck to one of the clinics that had a longer scope. This would entail more costs. Surgery was never really an option due to finances and Buck’s age/rapid deterioration.

I walked Buck out to the arena, hugged his neck, stroked his face, and cried. The vet tranquilized him and then administered the shot to euthanize him. Vet handed me the empty syringes, took the lead rope and told me to stand back. Buck tried to walk over to me and it broke my heart. Very quickly Buck went down and I knelt down to cradle his head. It took a long time for his heart to stop, but he lay there quietly. No thrashing, heavy breathing, or anything. He just lay there until the beating of his heart ceased while my tears dropped onto his beautiful face.

Shortly after the vet left and I was waiting for the truck to pick up his body, the TIER residents began to whinney and neigh. The final salute. I always get goose bumps when the horses do this. It’s like they know and I am sure they do!! The echoes of those calls reverberate for a few seconds and it is a powerful send off for a wonderful horse.

I closed the arena gate and let some of Buck’s friends out to say their goodbyes. Moses snuffled all over him, Garret stood over him for some time, others sniffed and walked away. I try to give the horses the opportunity to say their goodbyes any time we have to let one go. It seems to help them in a way and it certainly helps me.

Buck has crossed the Rainbow Bridge and there is a hole in my heart. He will be terribly missed.

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

So, so sorry. I knew yesterday would be so tough for you.

[Buffyblue]

Aw, I'm really sorry. Godspeed, Buck.

[kmsf]

So sorry for your loss. He had a wonderful home with you.

[Chardavej]

Oh Whoanellie I am so sorry! I was really pushing for the old guy to get better. That had to have been so hard...

[MintHillFarm]

I feel badly for you, and I send my deepest sympathy to you!

My friend's horse displayed similiar symptoms about 3 weeks ago and to make a long story short they scoped the mare at the clinic and found an ulcer in her throat. She to was not able to eat or drink though remained bright and alert. They had her at the clinic on fluids for about 4 or 5 days and SMZ and other meds. She is doing better and back at home.

Again, I am very sorry for your loss.

[Whoanellie]

The vet had indicated that he wanted to do a necropsy on Buck because he could not figure out what the obstruction could be with such a quick onset. Buck had previously had no problems with choke or difficulty eating feed/hay. I called him this afternoon and he indicated that what he found was an esophageal stricture right at the opening of the esophagus to the stomach. The stricture had torn (possibly because of a large amount of hay being swallowed). Even if we had had Buck scoped, surgical repair would not have been an option.

I’m mystified. Buck was always robust, alert, a little hot and just an all around good guy with other horses. The only health issues we had with him were his allergies which we battled each summer for 8 years. He had never displayed any issues with eating or swallowing.

[certifiedgirl]

I'm so sorry... I'm glad your vet was able to find out what caused his symptoms, that seems like it would be a small comfort at least. I'm sending a small donation in memory of Buck. Hugs to you, and the herd at TIER.

[Cayusepapoose]

How I wish this had been turned out right for you and Buck. I'm sad to say that we're wearing the same shoes right now. God love you for trying and Buck is in a perfect way now, in excellent company and his pals still here need you. I'm thinking of you and I hope you can draw from their strength; they know you care and love them. And Buck does too.

[Frank B]

Godspeed Buck. May you gallop through verdant pastures under azure skies awaiting the time of your reunion with your loving, caring master. May she find peace and contentment in the memories of the blessings you bestowed upon her.

[ESG]

When I lost my 29 year old a few months back, the symptoms were very similar to Buck's. After I described them, my vet (who euthanized him that day) said it sounded like his stomach had ruptured. Nothing anyone could do, or could have done. Chessie was bright, alert, ate all his hay and grain at dinner the night before, and was harassing his turnout buddy as usual. He was dead 24 hours later. It was just his time to go. Sounds like Buck wasn't far behind Chessie in years, and it was just his time to go, too. But I know it doesn't make it any easier, and my heart bleeds for you. Try to take comfort in that you did everything you could for Buck, for as long as you had him, and that you eased his exit from this world as much as you could. Blessings on the both of you, but especially you, as he has friends across the Bridge who are helping him, and you are stuck with us. ;)

Godspeed Buck, and {{{{{hugs}}}}}}} to you. :sadsmile: