Major Jingles needed--Update he is gone [Archive]

hookedoneventing

Jul. 28, 2009, 11:44 AM

My 6 year old came down with 107 temp on sunday, no other symptoms...bloodwork all normal. Temp Mon highest was 104, down to 102, normal by last night, today 98. We have been pushing fluids since Sunday, but no improvement. He went down last night. My vet was here all night pushing fluids, he finally got up at 4, but went back down at 6...still down. We started iv tetracycline (type antibiotic) sunday night...he is just getting worse, extremely weak, maybe neurological...vets are a little confused, they seem to think that all signs point to neurologic herpes, problem is he hasnt gone anywhere in over a month to be exposed to any other horses, so I am having a hard time buying that...

Anyone else out there with thoughts? if it is herpes anyone have a horse come back from this? I am not at all optimistic to be honest. He is still down now, but trying hard to get up, he is mad that he is down...getting very hard to watch.

Know with the thought of herpes I am so worried about my other two in my barn...

I made the decision to let him go, he was so tired of fighting, I sat with him for over an hour until the vet came washing his face with a cold towel, he was so peaceful finally...I cant believe this...we are testing for herpes so will what the test comes back as.

KitKat987

Jul. 28, 2009, 12:12 PM

That sounds so scary! Lots of jingles for you and your guy......

BornToRide

Jul. 28, 2009, 12:25 PM

Poor boy - I hope he will be OK. Best wishes!!

LSM1212

Jul. 28, 2009, 12:28 PM

Jingling for you... I hate it when they do this and you don't know what's wrong!!!

Quinn

Jul. 28, 2009, 12:35 PM

I'm sending you jingles and prayers with hopes of a complete and speedy recovery.

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

Donkey

Jul. 28, 2009, 01:02 PM

Jingles!

MrWinston

Jul. 28, 2009, 01:08 PM

I really hope you get some relief soon. Hope it turns around for your horse.

foggybok

Jul. 28, 2009, 01:44 PM

My 6 year old came down with 107 temp on sunday, no other symptoms...bloodwork all normal. Temp Mon highest was 104, down to 102, normal by last night, today 98. We have been pushing fluids since Sunday, but no improvement. He went down last night. My vet was here all night pushing fluids, he finally got up at 4, but went back down at 6...still down. We started iv tetracycline (type antibiotic) sunday night...he is just getting worse, extremely weak, maybe neurological...vets are a little confused, they seem to think that all signs point to neurologic herpes, problem is he hasnt gone anywhere in over a month to be exposed to any other horses, so I am having a hard time buying that...

Anyone else out there with thoughts? if it is herpes anyone have a horse come back from this? I am not at all optimistic to be honest. He is still down now, but trying hard to get up, he is mad that he is down...getting very hard to watch.

Know with the thought of herpes I am so worried about my other two in my barn...

Jingles for your horse.

Did they take a swab to test for EHV?

I was at a barn two years back where two horses came down with neuro EHV, and they had not been anywhere either, so it is possible. Our barn went into quarantine for a couple of months and only one other horse (of 40) had any signs. It's a scary disease. I hope your horse recovers quickly!

Highflyer

Jul. 28, 2009, 02:30 PM

My understanding is that it's possible for a horse to carry the virus and be ok until stressed, and that that's how some outbreaks begin. Jingling for you.

hookedoneventing

Jul. 28, 2009, 03:53 PM

Thanks guys for the jingles...he is not looking good, it breaks my heart to see him struggling to try and get up and he is getting weaker and weaker. I fear the inevitable is looming...we are trying a last ditch effort of steroids through the night but if he isnt up by morning I am afraid I will have to let him go.

abbydp

Jul. 28, 2009, 06:50 PM

I am so sorry you are going through this. I don't have any advice, just wanted to say I am hoping for a good outcome.

Zu Zu

Jul. 28, 2009, 07:06 PM

OH MY !!! I am so sorry to hear this about your horse. Madly jingling for you and your horse!!!!!!!! JINGLE JINGLE JINGLE AO ~ AO ~ AO Always Optimistic ! Good Luck & Thoughts and prayers for you and your gelding.

BornToRide

Jul. 28, 2009, 08:11 PM

I am so sorry...I hope you will get some answers.

Laurierace

Jul. 28, 2009, 08:22 PM

How horrible for you both. It sounds like you did everything you possibly could and made the tough decision when the time came. I hope you take some comfort in knowing that. Godspeed.

VirginiaBred

Jul. 28, 2009, 08:25 PM

I am so sorry for your loss. :(

Carol Ames

Jul. 28, 2009, 08:35 PM

I am so very:cry::sadsmile::( sorry to hear this, good for you for staying :yes:with him, and trying to bring him some comfort which, I am sure:yes: you did; you gave him the ultimate in care :yes:and :yes::cry:love.I hope you can get some rest and support from those around you

hugs

deltawave

Jul. 28, 2009, 08:38 PM

I'm so sorry for you. :( Godspeed, good horse.

3horsemom

Jul. 28, 2009, 08:38 PM

i am so sorry....it just hurts like hell.

JSwan

Jul. 28, 2009, 08:55 PM

I'm very sorry he couldn't be saved. My condolences.

MunchkinsMom

Jul. 28, 2009, 08:58 PM

I'm so sorry for your loss.

monstrpony

Jul. 28, 2009, 09:01 PM

So very sorry. Hope you get some answers. Won't change the outcome, but might ease the worry about the others.

BarbB

Jul. 28, 2009, 09:04 PM

How awful, I'm so sorry for your loss.

Ghazzu

Jul. 28, 2009, 09:04 PM

Sorry to hear it.

Buffyblue

Jul. 28, 2009, 09:07 PM

My sincere condolences on the loss of your special boy. I hope the others are OK.

Peggy

Jul. 28, 2009, 09:07 PM

Joining the chorus of sorrys and condolences. How awful for you and your horse. Hope you get some answers.

Fantastic

Jul. 28, 2009, 09:10 PM

Oh, I'm so sorry! I'm sure he appreciated you being at his side to sponge is brown and to comfort him. Godspeed brave horse!

twofatponies

Jul. 28, 2009, 09:11 PM

I'm sorry! How sad. :(

Trevelyan96

Jul. 28, 2009, 09:12 PM

I am so sorry for your loss. Huge hugs for you and jingles that your other horses will be OK.

mustangtrailrider

Jul. 28, 2009, 09:24 PM

My heart goes out to you. It is soo difficult to deal with. May you find peace. May the others be safe from the mysterious illness.

Jingles.

lovemyoldguy

Jul. 28, 2009, 10:06 PM

Oh, I am so very sorry. You did right by him. Jingles for you and for your other horses.

Sugarbrook

Jul. 28, 2009, 10:11 PM

Another one gone. I am so sad for you. I hope you find out what happened and let us know. Where in Fl do you live? I am in Central Fl, (Floral City).
Godspeed.
BTW, you never told us his name, I wanted to say it in my post. : (.

Zu Zu

Jul. 28, 2009, 10:13 PM

So Sorry for you loss. RIP ~ Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

hookedoneventing

Jul. 28, 2009, 10:44 PM

Thanks for all the kind words. His name is Kevin and we are all grieving unbeliably hard for him right now. But, I know I made the right dicision for him, I could see it in his eyes. I am just holding out hope for my other two guys.

TBMaggie

Jul. 28, 2009, 11:23 PM

So sorry this happened...RIP Kevin. Huge hugs your way.

shakeytails

Jul. 28, 2009, 11:36 PM

I went through a similar situation (different problem) couple of years ago. When I called the vet back out, (different vet, same practice) I told him what drugs he might want to make sure he had on the truck. But when he got here he told me what I think I knew but didn't want to hear. She crashed and had given up. I did the best thing, as you did. It's a terrible decision to have to make, especially when they're so young..my Mel was only 8.

Godspeed to Kevin, and condolences to you and your family.

I hesitate to mention it because it's rather rare in horses, and I don't think an extremely high temp. is a common symptom, but have you ruled out rabies? We had a case here a couple years ago, thought it was something else at first ... positive result had several adults and a child subjected to vaccinations... thank God they thought to test.

Pippigirl

Jul. 28, 2009, 11:40 PM

My sincere condolences as well, what a heartbreaking thing to go through :(

Lori B

Jul. 29, 2009, 12:17 AM

He knew you were there for him. So sorry for your shocking and sudden loss. Hope the news is good for your others.

BasqueMom

Jul. 29, 2009, 12:20 AM

I am so sorry.....Godspeed Kevin over the bridge! Hugs!

potteryshop

Jul. 29, 2009, 12:25 AM

Stories like this are so hard to read - and write, I'm sure. Please believe many people are sending hugs your way.

Equilibrium

Jul. 29, 2009, 12:52 AM

I'm so sorry for you loss. Many hugs to you.

Terri

citydog

Jul. 29, 2009, 01:16 AM

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Godspeed, Kevin.

certifiedgirl

Jul. 29, 2009, 01:22 AM

I'm so sorry, it is just awful to lose one, especially so young.

Cayusepapoose

Jul. 29, 2009, 02:14 AM

What a terrible shame. I'm so sorry; please know I understand.

Amwrider

Jul. 29, 2009, 02:45 AM

I am so sorry, (((hugs)))

Dune

Jul. 29, 2009, 02:52 AM

I'm so so sorry. :cry:

Quinn

Jul. 29, 2009, 07:32 AM

I'm so sincerely sorry. Godspeed Kevin. Big hugs to you.

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

kookicat

Jul. 29, 2009, 08:06 AM

I'm so sorry.

LSM1212

Jul. 29, 2009, 08:39 AM

My thoughts are with you in this very difficult time. :cry:

Livetoride19

Jul. 29, 2009, 08:48 AM

My prayers go out to you, Kevin and his fan club. I cannot imagine what that is like. Its my biggest fear at the moment as well. You did the best you could have for him...good for you.

elsbet

Jul. 29, 2009, 09:26 AM

I can only echo what has been posted already, and offer hugs to you one the loss of your horse........

hitchinmygetalong

Jul. 29, 2009, 09:37 AM

I'm sorry for your loss, and I hope you get some answers soon.

MrWinston

Jul. 29, 2009, 10:02 AM

I had very bad feelings about this situation when you first posted about it. I'm so very sorry that it turned out this way. Horses are not for the faint of heart. Tragedy can happen so suddenly. Hoping for your heart to heal and for your other horses to be ok.

li'l bit

Jul. 29, 2009, 10:56 AM

I am so sorry for your loss. Godspeed Kevin and Hugs to you. Jingles for your other horses.

tpup

Jul. 29, 2009, 11:02 AM

I am so very sorry about your loss :(

shea'smom

Jul. 29, 2009, 12:28 PM

So sorry. I hope you get some answers. IT must be driving you nuts, not what you need right now. RIP Kevin.

Bogie

Jul. 29, 2009, 12:35 PM

I am so sorry for your loss. My horse of a lifetime died last fall after running a fever (not as high as your horse's), mild neurological signs, and not much else. Since he died at Tufts they performed a necropsy and it turned out he'd had a stroke. There was a blood clot near his poll.

I hope that they are able to find out what happened. It took 8 weeks before I learned, but it did help me come to terms with his death.

It sounds like you and your vet did everything you could.

Hugs,

Liz

maxxtrot

Jul. 29, 2009, 12:57 PM

hooked- i am so sorry. i just helped put down a 2 yr.old tb in training. he was fine on sat. sat afternoon, was circling in his paddock. by monday, could not blink his left eye or close his mouth, lost a lot of weight in 3 days and was very unsteady on his feet, it was EPM! so sad, and i hope you know, you did what you could. i work at a large equine clinic here in ocala, would love to know what they find out if you don't mind. RIP KEVIN and hugs to you and your family

LuvMyTB

Jul. 29, 2009, 01:14 PM

I am so sorry for your loss. It is so hard to make that decision....just heartbreaking.

RIP Kevin.

Kimberlee

Jul. 29, 2009, 01:22 PM

I am so very sorry for your loss.

Gunnar

Jul. 29, 2009, 05:07 PM

SAd, sad news indeed! I am so sorry! :sadsmile:

laskiblue

Jul. 30, 2009, 12:17 AM

I'm so very sorry. :(

jen-s

Jul. 30, 2009, 02:58 PM

(((((((hugs))))))

I'm so sorry to hear about Kevin. What a tragic situation.

hookedoneventing

Jul. 30, 2009, 03:02 PM

Thanks to all of you for the kind words, it is so nice to read how many people out there care. This is so incredibly hard, I am overwhelmed right now. I go to the barn and catch myself going to his stall like I did everyday.

So far my other two are good, no temps and eating well...they seem to know that Kevin is gone, my youngest one and him were real buddies and he is really acting strangly, like he knows that Kevin is gone.

RIP my beautiful Kevin

LLDM

Jul. 30, 2009, 05:35 PM

When you lose a horse this quickly it takes everyone (meaning you and your other horses) a little while to catch up. You are all both grieving and in shock. The shock will start to wear off first and then all you can do is to be there for each other. And yes, horses know. They don't express emotions quite like we do. They mourn and cope in their own ways. But they seem to have an uncanny ability to respect and comfort us.

There aren't really any words for you at a time like this. But eventually you will find your peace with it. You were there for Kevin is all the best possible ways and bore his pain for him in every way you could. As much as that hurts now, it will bind you to him always. The pain will persist, but it will also evolve. And what is raw pain now will, eventually, become a comforting pain.

I am so, so sorry for your loss.

SCFarm

baysngreys

Jul. 30, 2009, 05:39 PM

So sorry to hear of your loss.

God speed Kevin.

hctjudge

Jul. 30, 2009, 08:29 PM

So sorry that you had to go through that. I had a mare for 2 mos. when she
suddenly started staggering around. Within 4 hours she was down and never
got up and it was EPM. She was completely paralyzed. Never heard of it until a few years ago. This after 50+ years of owning horses. It is an insidious disease that I hope is being studied. She was never alone after she went down and I feel that we did all we could to comfort her. I called a halt to it in less than 24 hrs. I've put down quite a few horses but never a 6 yr. old that I just bought.

The bad memories do fade, but you will always remember that he was loved
and cared for--and he knew. He is waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge.

Quinn

Jul. 30, 2009, 08:34 PM

I'm keeping you close in my thoughts tonight.

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

Beezer

Jul. 30, 2009, 09:07 PM

God, they really do break our hearts every single time, don't they?

Hooked, I am so very sorry. Like many here on the board, I know what you're going through and yet even as I write those words, I know that your pain is uniquely your own and no one else can truly understand.

Please try to hold close your best memories of your beloved Kevin. They will give you much comfort. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with sitting in his stall and crying -- it does help.

I truly believe that the more we love, the more it hurts to lose. Kevin was a very, very lucky horse indeed to be so loved.

Bayou Roux

Jul. 30, 2009, 09:11 PM

God, they really do break our hearts every single time, don't they?
...
I truly believe that the more we love, the more it hurts to lose. Kevin was a very, very lucky horse indeed to be so loved.

:sadsmile:

Yes, this.

Godspeed, Kevin.

asterix

Jul. 30, 2009, 09:28 PM

Ditto.
It doesn't make it any easier, but you are not alone. I am so sorry for your loss.

Ozone

Jul. 31, 2009, 01:14 PM

I am SOOO late but I want you to know I am so very sorry for your loss, it is so hard to say good bye and then carry on without them. To me, the harest part is when you have to go right back to the place you last saw him to take care of the others that need you... RIP Kevin. :(

hookedoneventing

Aug. 4, 2009, 12:15 PM

Ozone that is so true...that is what I seem to have the hardest time with right now, going back to the barn to take care of my other two who I know need me. I feel like I am in a fog right now....hard to believe it has been a week almost since he has been gone.

I spoke with my vet today and the blood work for herpes came back negative. I feel good and bad about that. I am glad to know that my other two are safe, and yet now I have no answers and am left wondering what happened and why....

SOTB

Aug. 4, 2009, 12:23 PM

sending hugs your way! so sorry for your loss.

ReeseTheBeast

Aug. 4, 2009, 02:58 PM