Colic surgery, need jingles, Update post #16 and #31, Questions about recovery

[Minstrel]

I'm normally a lurker on here but my bestfriend and forever horse has a huge impaction and is about to go into surgery. I just need support right now and positive thoughts! He is a fighter and was just coming back from stifle surgery last year so another 3 months off is unfortunate but I just want him happy and healthy so please jingle!

[maxxtrot]

jingle,jingle, for you and your horse. what horsepitial is he at? i had one go around 4 yrs. ago.my guy came home, and never looked back. thinking of you :)

[Zu Zu]

Jingles Jingles Jingles !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[redtbred]

A million Jingles from Charlottesville!

[jenm]

Sending lots of jingles from California!

[Auburn]

Jingles and prayers being sent from KY.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

So sorry you and your horse are going through this! It is very tough! More positive thoughts and jingles for you both!

[shea'smom]

Jingles for your boy!

[HER]

Jingles! Been there, not fun so jingle jingle!

[specialK]

a total nightmare...jingles for you guys. my daughters horse had colic surgery 18 months ago, when he was at a sale barn far from here (and his former owner0. I feel so badly that he went through that experience alone. At least your guy will have some comfort when he wakes up to know you';re there for him...comforting him in the ways you know he likes....good luck..

[FLeckenAwesome]

More jingles from Georgia. Good luck!!!!
My new horse (a 14 month old) is 1 month into his 2 month of stall rest post colic surgery, and doing well. I hope your guy does fantastic and recovers beautifully!!! Sending good thoughts and prayers your way!

[LLDM]

More Virginia Jingles! Nothing worse than waiting by the OR door. My thoughts are with you and your best friend.

SCFarm

[longrun]

Jingles from Massachusetts. Been there, done that and lived to tell about it. Don't lose hope. I have a good outcome story if you need that in the days ahead so feel free to email.

Best, Sandy Niles

[ddashaq]

Big jingles!!

[CookiePony]

Any updates? Hoping he came through well and is recovering comfortably. Lots of jingles!

[Minstrel]

Thanks everyone for the jingles and thanks to Dr. Murray and the vets at Coosa Valley Equine in Pell City, Al. The surgery ended up being longer and more complicated than expected but he survived and is recovering. What started out as an impaction led to lots of extra gas and pressure which caused his colon to twist and shift from his pelvis up toward his diaphragm. It also caused a significant aneurysm to form in the vasculature of the intestine wall which further complicated the operation. We watched from a viewing area above the OR so we knew how he was doing, but it was especially scary when he had some trouble with the anesthesia and he flatlined then became tachycardic. It has been an extremely long, scary, and stressful day but I really appreciate all the support. Hopefully the long road to recovery will be uneventful. Thank you all!

[Firefox]

wow, jingles, jingles jingles for you and your horse

[Zu Zu]

Additional Jingles for recovery! Thanks for update * glad to hear the surgery is over and he is in recovery. Good- luck !

[wookie]

my ottb had bowel surgery may 3rd at new bolton. had a post op very aggressive staph infection which he recovered from. i wish the best for you both, i believe this was one of the most stressful times for me. he is now on light turnout...with ace on board each time. as soon as he starts to act like a 4 yr old ottb--which doesn't take long...back to the stall. i hand walked him two to three times a day the first month with plenty of grazing and moved him to a big boarding facility to prevent boredom--lots of activity there which he likes to look at. so...take a deep breath. you and your baby will get through this!!!!

[shea'smom]

We will keep the jingles coming. Glad to hear so far so good.

[MrWinston]

Hoping for a swift and full recovery.

[inquisitive]

More jingles for a strong recovery!

[harveyhorses]

More Va Jingles. Glad he is a fighter.

[retreadeventer]

Jingles, keep positive, be as upbeat as you can, especially around your horse, he will pick up on your attitude! Healing jingles! :)

[LLDM]

Yeah! It will still be a long road ahead - but I am SO glad you get to travel it. Esp. with your BFF. Continued jingles!

SCFarm

[clivers]

wow - jingles from ontario! Hoping for the best possible outcome!!

[Quinn]

Jingling from my office with my very special curb chain. Sending positive thoughts.

http://community.webshots.com/user/ballyduff

[Zu Zu]

Any update on recovery ? - Jingles continue for smooth recovery.

[Dr. Doolittle]

What an ordeal! I hope he's okay...(More Jingles from VA...)

[FLeckenAwesome]

More jingles, thoughts, and prayers from me too!!

I'm on 7 weeks post surgery with my baby! It is SOOOO stressful! But... hopefully your pony will bounce right back!!! Keep us updated.

[Minstrel]

So we are now 2 1/2 months out from the surgery, and he is doing quite well relaxing at home. I am now wondering about the road back to work. I have heard that once they have colicked, they are more likely to do so again, but does anyone have experience with this? This was his first episode of colic, but I am nervous about trying to bring him back to work when he is so happy living the life of a retiree. He is only 12, but before the colic he was still not sound from stifle surgery to remove a cartilage flap so we were planning to start IRAP therapy anyway. Also, he does not travel well and I am concerned that the 10 hour trailer ride back to college with me could stress him enough to cause him to colic again. I need advice about what would be best for him and if anyone has experience with travel and location change causing a horse to colic after having had major colic surgery. Thanks guys!

[bornfreenowexpensive]

I would let the stifle injury guide you a bit. Is that something that some additional rest/ turn out will help or hurt? If it isn't something that more time off will hurt....and given he doesn't travel well....kick him out to pasture for a bit longer and start his rehab later.

Rehab from colic isn't the same as say rehab from a tendon or soft tissue injury (done both unfortunately). So waiting longer to start the rehab shouldn't bother healing from the colic...and just letting him chill a bit longer in the field would probably be less stressful for both of you.

Talk to your vet and see what they think.

You could maybe bring him back to school with you spring semester...or just wait until next summer.


As for being more prone to colic after surgery...it depends on the surgery and what caused the colic to begin with (if you even know). I do think that you generally can manage it....I had one who had surgery...didn't colic again for years but then had a rupture and had to be put down. The vets didn't think the two were related as his two colics were very different.

[LSM1212]

Minstrel... I feel ya! My guy had surgery just a few days after your guy.

The Vet is actually coming out tonight to check on him again and see if we can start walking under saddle soon (hopefully this weekend).

His surgery was less complicated. Was in and out pretty quickly. He had a twist and some bruising. But no bowel had to be removed, etc. But would have not survived w/o the surgery.

The best thing I did for him was send him to a rehab facility after he left the "horse"pital. They were much more equipped to care for his "special" needs than the regular boarding barn I was at. I think it really quickened the healing process and gave him a much better chance at full recovery.

Fingers crossed for you too. I've also heard they can be more prone to colicking again or have future issues. I guess we'll just see. I'm hoping the good care he has received will make a difference.