Jingles please....colic surgery in November..12/2 COLICKING AGAIN

[VTHokie]

Xpress went in for colic surgery last night after not responding to IV fluids, tubing and pain meds every 15 minutes for hours. It was a long night and it's still all a blur, but from what I recall the vet said it was a large impaction and that he had a torsion but not a twist.?? The surgery went well, and he woke up from it safely. But he was so miserable, shaking and sweating.
I'm so worried about his recovery and cannot lose him. I can't imagine losing a second horse in (almost exactly) a year. If something happens I think I'll give up riding and will probably need to be committed to a mental hospital.
For those who haven't heard my story, Xpress is my second horse...I got my first horse (after 20 years or so) last summer and he passed away after two months from unknown causes. I got Xpress a few months after that, this past December and this is his second colic, it's the first one requiring surgery. He's an OTTB and on the thin side already, so the required 30 days of hay/grass only are going to be terrible for him.
Does anyone have any positive stories of colic surgery recovery? Suggestions for the recovery phase...Vet says 30 days stall rest (hand grazing and hay), then 30 days partial turnout in roundpen with gradual introduction of feed, and then 30 days turnout in pasture with feed normal and no riding. He stocks up badly when kept in for more than 12 hours so this will be a big problem.

Oh.. and top it all off, I'm starting a new job on Tuesday. How much and what kind of after care should I expect? I'll have to teach my non-horsey husband how to do any morning care because I'll have to be at work by 7am. I'm thinking I'll wrap his legs at night and then have my husband unwrap the legs in the morning, leaving them unwrapped for the daytime.???

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

[This message was edited by VTHokie on Nov. 03, 2003 at 04:17 PM.]

[This message was edited by VTHokie on Nov. 06, 2003 at 05:56 PM.]

[This message was edited by VTHokie on Nov. 09, 2003 at 10:27 PM.]

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[This message was edited by VTHokie on Dec. 02, 2003 at 06:38 PM.]

[This message was edited by VTHokie on Dec. 02, 2003 at 11:26 PM.]

[VTHokie]

Xpress went in for colic surgery last night after not responding to IV fluids, tubing and pain meds every 15 minutes for hours. It was a long night and it's still all a blur, but from what I recall the vet said it was a large impaction and that he had a torsion but not a twist.?? The surgery went well, and he woke up from it safely. But he was so miserable, shaking and sweating.
I'm so worried about his recovery and cannot lose him. I can't imagine losing a second horse in (almost exactly) a year. If something happens I think I'll give up riding and will probably need to be committed to a mental hospital.
For those who haven't heard my story, Xpress is my second horse...I got my first horse (after 20 years or so) last summer and he passed away after two months from unknown causes. I got Xpress a few months after that, this past December and this is his second colic, it's the first one requiring surgery. He's an OTTB and on the thin side already, so the required 30 days of hay/grass only are going to be terrible for him.
Does anyone have any positive stories of colic surgery recovery? Suggestions for the recovery phase...Vet says 30 days stall rest (hand grazing and hay), then 30 days partial turnout in roundpen with gradual introduction of feed, and then 30 days turnout in pasture with feed normal and no riding. He stocks up badly when kept in for more than 12 hours so this will be a big problem.

Oh.. and top it all off, I'm starting a new job on Tuesday. How much and what kind of after care should I expect? I'll have to teach my non-horsey husband how to do any morning care because I'll have to be at work by 7am. I'm thinking I'll wrap his legs at night and then have my husband unwrap the legs in the morning, leaving them unwrapped for the daytime.???

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

[This message was edited by VTHokie on Nov. 03, 2003 at 04:17 PM.]

[This message was edited by VTHokie on Nov. 06, 2003 at 05:56 PM.]

[This message was edited by VTHokie on Nov. 09, 2003 at 10:27 PM.]

[This message was edited by VTHokie on Nov. 11, 2003 at 03:53 PM.]

[This message was edited by VTHokie on Nov. 14, 2003 at 05:52 PM.]

[This message was edited by VTHokie on Nov. 15, 2003 at 05:12 PM.]

[This message was edited by VTHokie on Dec. 02, 2003 at 06:38 PM.]

[This message was edited by VTHokie on Dec. 02, 2003 at 11:26 PM.]

[Layne Farm]

Jingles for you from FLA, Sounds like a long night you had. Been there done that too. Try to breath and keep good thoughts going to your boyhttp://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif He will need them. He should be in the Hospital for about a week. So you can go to your new job and know he will be in good hands. Training your Hubby should be easy he really should only be hand walked for about 2 weeks or untill the vets say he can go into a small paddock. Jingling hard for you and your best friendhttp://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Faded Dreams]

Jingles and {{{HUGS}}} My pony had colic surgury and he went a full week then he started to die in the inside so we had to put him down. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif I hope things go better for your horse.... I'll be thinking good thoughts http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

*Tiffany*

*founder of the TB/QH clique*

[Evalee Hunter]

Mary's Faith had colic surgery at New Bolton in May of 2002. Recovery was SO painful for ME. I HATED seeing her so miserable. However, her recovery was relatively uneventful & she has recovered fully. She foxchased last winter (one time for FIVE HOURS) & was as full of herself when she came home as when she left (& this mare is 17). She competed 3rd level recognized dressage this summer & trucked some young people around cross country at schoolings.

I don't know why the vet is recommending hay--obviously opinions differ because Mary was NOT ALLOWED to have hay. She lived on 4 feedings of senior pellets a day for quite a while. We slept in the barn so she could be fed at exactly 6 hour intervals. She does stock up if she's in but we gave her a double stall so she wasn't too bad--I don't think we ever bandaged.

Turnout started with about 6 panels + gate of the round pen. Then we added a panel every day & finally stretched the round pen out along the fence to make an even bigger space. Then we temporarily fenced one end of the pasture & finally into the pasture with the others.

Jingles from here for a recovery as successful as Mary's.

www.rougelandfarm.com (http://www.rougelandfarm.com) Home of TB stallion Alae Rouge, sire of our filly Rose, ribbon-winner on the line at Dressage at Devon.

[VTHokie]

Thank you, will the incision area need special cleaning and medicating? I'm really worried about infection. I'm very diligent about caring for even small cuts, so you can imagine how much of a wreck I'll be.
The vet called and estimates that Xpress will be released from the hospital by Wednesday if he begins hand grazing tonight.

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

[BeastieSlave]

My daughter's young TB had colic surgery as a weanling! She had an intestinal bypass. We got her as a yearling, so I can't help you with surgery aftercare.
I can tell you that in the almost 3 years we've had her I've only had to call the vet out for possible colic once (in the early days I was paranoid). She has thrived and is becoming a wonderful little hunter for my daughter.
I know you'll get lots of 'life after surgery' stories.
Good luck!!!

[luv2jump]

VTHokie,
Your vet will give you explicit aftercare instructions as far as feeding and incision care. Mostly it is monitoring the incision site for any signs of infecton ( drainage , excessive swelling , etc.) Most likely your guy will have a ton of skin staples along his ventral midline. Usually all that is needed is checking the area twice a day, wiping off with 4x4 gauze sponge with vets choice of antibiotic solution.Infections may require a few staples to be removed and a culture and sensitivity run to see what antibiotic is best. When the bowel is opened (as it was most likely for your guy to remove the impacted feed material ), the chance of infection is a little bit higher. That being said ., my horse had 2 colic surgeries within 24 hours for a impacted cecum, had 75% of his cecum removed during the second surgery and never got an infection.That was 6 years ago and he has never looked back (and I count my blessings every day) Watching horses come out of general anesthesia is horrible. Especially when its your own!Been there , done that twice!!!
Properly feeding him when he comes home will be of most importance. His gut motility must be back up and running properly before he gets to eat much roughage (hay)- will probably start out with handfuls .Grass is easier to digest, so if he can handle that hand grazing , then that is a good sign.Your vet should give guidelines on dishcarge and if you have any questions , dont forget to ask!!
Suture line needs to heal before any big exercise - don't want to end up with a hernia! Ay infection will delay healing time , hence turnout and exercise.
Best of luck!!
Luv2Jump

[VTHokie]

Luv2Jump - Thanks! I spoke to the barn owner/manager and she and the staff will help with the hand grazing and care along with my husband. I haven't worked since I moved down here in April and it's killing me to think that I'll have to be gone now when he needs me the most. But I know he'll be in good hands and I'll be going straight to the barn everyday after work for sure.

Evalee - Yes, the hay does sound like it could be an unusual recommendation for the immmediate feedings. I will confirm what exactly he should eat when I visit him tomorrow. I was at the hospital with him until 5 o'clock this morning so I may have misunderstood some things.

Thanks everyone and keep the advice coming. I'd love to be able to go to the vet tomorrow with all of the ideas and let them determine which are the best for Xpress's specific circumstances.

Based on another thread, I'm going to see if Probiotics are recommended, considering the impaction, antibotics from surgery, and the impending weight loss. Anyone recommend a specific brand, best quality?

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

[2BayHorses]

I have a 24 year old arab that had colic surgery about 5 years ago and is doing great!!! My horse was in the hospital for 2 weeks so when he came home they had already taken his staples out so I didn't have to do any cleaning of his insision. He had to stay in his stall with hand walking only for 2 weeks and then he could go out in small turnout. Could slowly start riding him again in 3 months. They were feeding him grain and hay before I brought him home. With my horse it wasn't an impaction though. His recovery went great. I hope you have the same outcome I had. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!

[onetempies]

Let's see... THIS I have experience with! http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/yes.gif http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/winkgrin.gif

My Holsteiner mare had colic surgery in Feb. 2001 for a "simple" gas pocket. No torsion, no twist, no impaction, no resection of intestine, textbook recovery. She was admitted to MSU on a Sunday afternoon, surgery done that afternoon, and released Friday morning. 30 days stall rest with handwalking 2x a day, all the grass hay she could eat, no grain until after day 30, turnout began after day 30, and I was actually allowed to start riding (nothing much... mostly walking) after day 45. She was showing again in early May. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

2nd surgery was Sept. 15, 2003... we're closing in on our 60 day mark at the middle of this month. She was hauled up late morning/early afternoon on a Monday, surgery done that afternoon, and released on Friday morning. This surgery was all foaling related from her early May 2003 colt. She had a 270 degree torsion of her bowel (basically it flipped over), gas pocket, mild impaction at site of torsion, all intestine was still incredibly healthy so no resection was needed, and the surgeons got to realize what a big appetite my mare has when they dumped the undigested (or half digested???) grain out of her. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_redface.gif http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif

Your surgeon will write a complete summary of aftercare instructions along with giving you contact numbers to get in touch with them in case of any questions of problems. Stomach staples come out 14-16 days post-op. In both of my cases they did not have me clean the area with anything. All that is needed is to keep an eye on it for any swelling increase and any seeping from the site. My mare was sent home with a lower white blood count so I had to take her temp 2x a day. If you wanted to monitor your guy's temp... that will help you with keeping an eye out for any infection as well.

Both surgeries my mare was allowed grass hay... pretty much all that she could eat. Both times I slowly introduced a bit of alfalfa mix after week 2. This was as long as my mare was doing well with the grass hay. She was also allowed a 1/4 scoop of Equine Senior after this 2nd surgery 2x a day. The surgeon actually started her on that on day 2 post op. I think it all depends on what kind of colic surgery was done and how extensive it was. I've got one more week before I can start getting on my mare again undersaddle and doing 30 days of walk work. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif After her 90 day mark we are cleared to start reconditioning work again! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

I DID start turnout a bit earlier after both surgeries. My mare doesn't cope well with stallrest and she actually gets herself into the position of injuring herself MORE in the stall than if I were to turn her out for small periods of time. Both times, the vets okay'd this situation. So you may want to ask about that if you think your guy may get panic attacks at all.

Good luck! Feel free to PT me if you want! http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/yes.gif

*Member of the bad shoulder clique* (open surgery was 1-6-03)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
Bay colt by Lacoste 5-6-03
Chevy weaned at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039281435919508498655.jpg)
Next to me at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039283565576409309114.jpg)
Trying to be Superman at 4 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039285432554183964022.jpg)

[marta]

lots of jingles from nj!
have no personal experience to share. but from what i've seen in the past seems to me that coming out of anasthesia is the really dangerous part. and he's past that so from now on everything will be fine. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
lots of luck!!!

"It appears we are being transformed from an information
society to an informant society." Rep. Dennis Kucinich

[VTHokie]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by onetempies:
She had a 270 degree torsion of her bowel (basically it flipped over), gas pocket, mild impaction at site of torsion, all intestine was still incredibly healthy so no resection was needed, and the surgeons got to realize what a big appetite my mare has when they dumped the undigested (or half digested???) grain out of her. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_redface.gif http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif [QUOTE]

Yes, they said Xpress had the "complete flip" also. And his temperature, color, etc. have remained very good throughout despite the extreme pain he exhibited. They said the impaction was very large and followed up by alot of gas.

[QUOTE] So you may want to ask about that if you think your guy may get panic attacks at all.[QUOTE]

He actually panics if he is outside and there are no other horses with him. But usually seems to like being inside just fine (although I'm sure he'll become a handfull in no time!) We are going to put him in a large foaling stall, probably at night and then in his regular stall during the day since it is near the door and has lots of light.

GOOD LUCK for your mare's continued recovery, as well. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

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

[jjsmom]

Good luck with your boy. They do wonderful surgeries these days, and are able to save a lot of animals. I found my friend's mare in bad shape nearly 3 years ago. We got the vet out, and he determined she was surgical. We drove to Wellington and admitted her, and the surgeons took a 25 pound block of concreted sand out of her gut, despite all our best sand colic prevention routines. Sand colic is a real problem down here in Florida, and this mare is very messy with her grain.

Surgical recovery was uneventful, mostly consisting of us all taking shifts to hand walk her. We also helped keep an eye out for signs of infection in the wound site. She was placed temporarily on alfalfa hay, soaked. When she could handle grain, they put her on Purina's Complete Advantage (a beet pulp high fiber grain for horses with hay allergies). The added fiber was supposed to help ward off another sand colic. We're now nearly 3 years out, and she's had no other incidents.

Hopefully, your boy will recover well, and soon this will all be behind you. Best of luck in the mean time. It's not a fun position to be in.

[Finnegan]

Finn went through a 20 foot resection just 6 weeks after I owned him. It was one of the most serious colic surgeries to come back from with a 10% chance the first night, but he did!!! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif It was ugly, he was also soaking wet, shaking, barely able to stand, so sorry looking, confused, hated life, but it gets better.

And recovery is going to be long and arduous. It will test your level of commitment to your horse. It will seem like it will never end, but IT WILL BE OVER WITH EVENTUALLY!

I had to go out to the barn twice a day (6am & 6pm) everyday for 8 weeks. The first 4 weeks was to medicate & to handwalk. Then just to handwalk. The hand walking alone took up ages!! An hour in the am and an hour in the pm in winter at that!!! Yuck!! I think it really helped him recover nicely though. Then we went into just walking around bareback. Then walking/trotting. Longing. Building up slowly, slowly. No rush.

To now he's going to a 3-day event this month, also competes dressage (working 2nd level movements, but because I'm such a weeny just showing training.) They can & do come back to have perfectly wonderful working lives.

The one thing that is left over from his surgery are his hernias. The little bugger got away from me handwalking one night and baled on me! He was galloping for all he was worth. So he popped a few sutures. And that is no big deal either (unless you want to sell your horse.) They don't even know they have hernias, but it is weird to be able to stick my entire thumb up into his stomach.

A difference between our horses is that Finn went into surgery a big fat warmblood. So he came out of all of it a normal sized horse. Where as you OTTB may take some watching over regarding weight and feed schedules.

Good luck & god grant you patience!

~Bev

-----------------------
Finnegans Wake
1992
Irish Sport Horse x Hanoverian
16.1hh
bay

[Showpony]

Our horse (a TB racehorse) just had colic surgery about a month+ ago. Sounds like the same type of colic (impacted, displaced intestine, no twist) with the same stall rest, hand walking, and turn out instructions. They told us not having to remove any intestin makes the surgery and recovery a lot less complicated with a much better prognosis(sp?).

Ours came home in a week after surgery and needed no medication at all, just the staples removed after 10 days. We had to start with lots of hay, almost no grain and slowly increase it. He did loose A LOT of wieght, but is putting it back on. He was on stall rest for a month, now hand walking.

Knock on wood!, Everything has gone great so far. They expect him to return back to normal and continue racing.

I am sure your horse will be good as new too!!

~*Adult Pony Rider Clique*~
www.timberrunponies.com (http://www.timberrunponies.com)

[This message was edited by showpony on Nov. 02, 2003 at 09:03 PM.]

[Character]

So sorry, sending jingles your way.

[LawnOrnamentLuvr]

My filly is still recovering from a rather large impaction colic. My vet wanted her on the finest stemmed hay I could find, as much as she could eat and some alfalfa, but no grain. I guess it depends on the vet.

Lawny

[onetempies]

Just because I'm sick and twisted... thought I'd post these for you as a comparison. They're links to my mare's incision site and overall appearance after each surgery.

2 weeks post-op 1st surgery Feb. 2001 (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Nov/20031123397205849068182.jpg)

Showing 2nd & 3rd Level in June 2001 (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Nov/20031125800458160829425.jpg)

6 days post-op 2nd surgery 9-2003 (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Nov/20031123164669197612464.jpg)

Confo shot 6 days post op 9-2003 (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Nov/20031125954459244330160.jpg)

Incision 3 weeks post op 2003 (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Nov/20031124446472447465048.jpg)

http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif
Lopsided/lumpy belly look 3 weeks post op 2003 (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Nov/20031121752397087422910.jpg)

Left side is better 3 weeks post op 2003 (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Nov/20031123023624716274668.jpg)

Sounds like your guy is/was similar to my mare's surgery. Stall rest sounds like it'll be a bit easier for you than for my mare (rearing is her big thing). Right now... she has been kicked outside 24/7 with access to a 12x24 run in stall and 12' overhang... all in her own paddock. She just needs it mentally right now before she heads back to my trainer's barn in another week to start our 30 days of walk work undersaddle.

Your first few handwalking outtings may not be a problem that first week. The horses are generally still too sore/tender to do much. But after that 2nd week post-op... be prepared for ANYTHING. I got lucky this 2nd surgery especially since I had to do all my handwalking outside rather than my trainer's indoor arena like in her first surgery in 2001. My mare was pretty much an absolute gem this time... except her piggy instinct to DRAG me all around my grass riding arena to EAT. But she had no major blowups at the end of the leadrope like she did the first surgical recovery.

Anyway... your first 3 days post op are most critical. Day 3 is generally when changes in blood draws will occur. The clinic should be doing draws daily as well as salmonella cultures daily. If all goes well, by day 3 your guy should be off IVs and allowed 5-10 minute handwalks during your visit. Hopefully you have more areas to handwalk there than I did at MSU... we got to go in the parking lot and even got to watch some TRAINS zoom by. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif Sass wasn't too sure what to think about that but was intrigued none-the-less. Silly mare. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif Of course she also grabbed the attention of anybody walking THRU the parking lot, which she soaked right up. The mare got spoiled by all the vets and vet students. Even though she'd threaten to bite her primary vet during each stall visit by him. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

Start thinking of good stall toys too for those 30 days. I got my mare one of those red apples and hung it up. She took out some aggression on that thing AND found out that it's good for itching and massaging the neck. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif I also kept a plain white salt block in her feed tub. She made great use of that plus it kept her drinking a lot of water.

Keep us posted on your guy's recovery! http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/yes.gif

*Member of the bad shoulder clique* (open surgery was 1-6-03)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
Bay colt by Lacoste 5-6-03
Chevy weaned at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039281435919508498655.jpg)
Next to me at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039283565576409309114.jpg)
Trying to be Superman at 4 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039285432554183964022.jpg)

[VTHokie]

Onetempies - Thank you so much for taking the time to write so much. It really is comforting to hear someone else has gone through this successfully.
I already have a salt block and Jolly ball in his stall, but might add a Lik-It or apple thing too.
I'm going out to the hospital today (it's a two hour drive and I start work tomorrow, so I won't be able to go out there again until the weekend when he should be leaving.)

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

[PiedPiper]

VAHokie-
Definitely go with the lick-its. THat is what Trish gives to Dezi and has kept him sane in his confinement. I talked to her last night and she agreed with what we talked about for possible feedings down the line. Rice bran, beet pulp, forage, etc but everything very soaked and soupy. Just talk to your vet as what is allowed. Poor you, I know you have had teh worst time. I also wanted you to know that the horse that I knwe that had colic surgery was back on grass hay by the time he got home. I think Morven may have had in on it when he was there as well. Anyway, just wanted you to know I was thinking of you!

[onetempies]

Not a prob VTH! Like I said... feel free to PT me with any questions or if you just need to vent your frustrations this next 30-90 days. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif I think I've been just as crabby as my mare since her surgery in September. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/winkgrin.gif

The first time my mare had her surgery I was "lucky" enough to be emailing with somebody who had a gelding who went thru surgery 1-2 weeks prior. He got the same lumpy/pointy tummy that Sass did too. It's some weird healing thing that the stomach goes through.

Let us know how things went after your visit today. Give that boy a big kiss on that cute nose of his for me! LOVE the white!!!! http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/yes.gif

*Member of the bad shoulder clique* (open surgery was 1-6-03)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
Bay colt by Lacoste 5-6-03
Chevy weaned at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039281435919508498655.jpg)
Next to me at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039283565576409309114.jpg)
Trying to be Superman at 4 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039285432554183964022.jpg)

[This message was edited by onetempies on Nov. 03, 2003 at 12:20 PM.]

[Finnegan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by onetempies:
He got the same lumpy/pointy tummy that Sass did too. It some weird healing thing that the stomach goes through.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I remember that!!! Funny how I forgot.

The one thing I wish I had done at the time was take photos of him in surgery, recovering, getting better, etc... It's just not something that you think to do at all, but it was so ugly and he's now so normal I wish I had the photos. Maybe morbid. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

~Bev

-----------------------
Finnegans Wake
1992
Irish Sport Horse x Hanoverian
16.1hh
bay

[reefy!]

Jingles for a very uneventful recovery!

I can still say I've not had to go through the surgery, thank goodness. Colic, though, I'm on my second one. Yuck!!

[onetempies]

http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif

Finn... morbid? That's me. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/winkgrin.gif The whole healing process was/is interesting. Amazing thing is how this surgery was more serious than the 2001 one. BUT... my mare is healing faster this time around. Even my vet said that one would never know that she had colic surgery by just looking at her... and that was 2 weeks post-op. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_eek.gif He was completely amazed at the incision when he was taking the staples out. Never seen him stare at something so long. He really had me and the vet tech who travels with him on the raod cracking up.

I think the scariest part is when they just come out of recovery... all sweaty and shaking. It just breaks your heart. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

*Member of the bad shoulder clique* (open surgery was 1-6-03)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
Bay colt by Lacoste 5-6-03
Chevy weaned at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039281435919508498655.jpg)
Next to me at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039283565576409309114.jpg)
Trying to be Superman at 4 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039285432554183964022.jpg)

[VTHokie]

Thank you for all of your support!
I just got back from the vet hospital and Xpress seemed happy to see me, ears pricked and begging for treats (he has a trick that I taught him for treats and he did it without asking.) I felt so bad seeing him hooked up to the IV and still doing his trick that I had to get a vet and asked if I could give him some carrots. We also were allowed to go out in the sunshine for a 15 minute hand grazing. He was full of energy and was quite strong when I "asked" him to go back inside.
The little outing around the barn really tired him out though because when we got back to the stall his eyes kept getting heavier and heavier until he finally laid down.
I did notice a small amount of blood coming out of the incision when he was laying down so I had a vet (or someone in scrubs anyway) look at it. They said it was ok.
The thing they are worried about is that he hasn't pooped as much as they would have liked, so they will be having a vet look at him tonight.
Please keep the jingles, and helpful ideas coming.

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

[Box-of-Rox]

VTHokie-- my jumper had to have colic surgery this summer and I don't know what to say othe rthan the first few days are touch and go, but after that is just gets much much better very very quickly.

I really hope it starts getting better fast, the only thing I can say is that not even three months later he's being ridden again, flatting and he's going to start jumping this week, the scar is barely visible, and except for some horrible habits he picked up in the spoiled-horse department, he's absolutely perfect and the vet says that although he doesn't want him doing the a/o's in WEF he should be good to go to terrorize the a/a jumpers, and since I'm at school my mom has been riding him and he tries to convince her to steer him towards anything that has vertical height to it.


I can't say enough that the first few days really suck, in fact the whole thing relaly sucks, and we've had some bad colic luck in our family and it's just a horrible horrible thing, but unlike the last horse in our family that coliced (10 years ago) the vets really do have a better handle on it now and I seriously can't emphasize enough that even though it might not feel like it getting the horse into, through, and out of the surgery really is the most awful part, and it's only going to get better.

best of luck and lots of jingles (they worked for me!)

BoR--resident Stupid Child

[KJoy]

I totally understand what you are going through, but it sounds like your horse is doing great so far! My hunter had a severe cecal impaction 6 years ago, and only had a 50% chance of even surviving the surgery. He survived (!) but stayed in the hospital for 10 days. I will caution you to be prepared for him to have lost a LOT of weight when he comes home. AJ (my horse) was so thin and lost SO much muscle. He had the surgery in late June, and we began riding him again in the end of August. He was on stall rest for a while when we first brought him home, then hand-walking, and then light turnout - and then riding. It took many more months (about 3-4 months) to gradually get him back in shape. But he was totally cured and went right back to showing for years afterward at the same levels as before - and has not showed any colicky signs since.

One thing that we did that helped - our barn manager at the time was trained as a (human) nurse, and kept EXACT track of how much and when he peed, pooped, ate and drank every single day. That way, we could see if there was a problem - and we would potentially be able to spot a problem WAY before it got too bad. I would recommend doing that if you can.

It sounds like your horse will be okay - it takes a long time, but he will get back to normal with lots of love and good care.
Good luck - my thoughts are with you.

[Sobriska]

Jingles for a speedy recovery.

Be all that you can be forever. Be an organ donar.

[First Gold]

Still jingling for you!

[VTHokie]

The vet called today to ask if Xpress normally lays down alot, because he has been laying down alot at the hospital. I'm not really sure he does it alot but I have seen him laying down after a night of playing hard, etc. So maybe he is just doing because of the drugs, and being uncomfortable.
They said he's getting 1/4 of a flake of hay every 8 hours now. Doesn't sound like he would have been okay for release tomorrow like they originally said. (I won't be able to have access to a trailer until Sunday anyway, but it's discouraging that it sounds like he's not progressing very much.)

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

[Adelita]

Oh sweetie, you have my love, prayers, and jingles...

((((((((((((((big hugs)))))))))))))))

&gt;^.,.^&lt;


www.imom.org (http://www.imom.org)
Helping those who cannot afford veterinary care for their pets...

[jjsmom]

Please keep us posted. So, so sorry for you both. Hang in there! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

[bounce]

Hang in there! My guy had colic surgery on Sept 10- this year. He had is first (undrugged), full turn-out today, and goes back to work on the 17th of this month... but boy has it been scary!

Just know that there are people thinking about you, and praying for you horse!

Jingles!!

[reefy!]

More jinlges and hugs for you!!

I understand how frustrating it is with a sick horse. Mine is still in the hospital and we still don't have a diagnosis (went in for colic surgery but it didn't happen, thank goodness).

[VTHokie]

Thank you all! I will make the trip out to the hospital tomorrow and will update again then.

Bounce - Glad to hear recovery is going well for your horse. What are your plans for restarting him into work? Just walking for a while? For how long? Let me know how it goes, how is his energy level as you start working again, etc.

Reefy - Sorry to hear about your horse I will look to see if you have a thread about it rather than ask you to repost about it. I hope you get a resolution quickly.

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

[PiedPiper]

VTHokie,
Sorry he isn't progressing as well as expected. Maybe it is fate that you couldn't get him trailered till Sunday, just as a just in case. Please let me know if I can do anything for you.
http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[bounce]

VTHokie

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Bounce - Glad to hear recovery is going well for your horse. What are your plans for restarting him into work? Just walking for a while? For how long? Let me know how it goes, how is his energy level as you start working again, etc.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks! His energy level has been, well... he is flat crazy!!! Had to use Resurpine for stall rest, with a kicker of Ace for turnout. He was VERY fit before the surgery though. (ready for a CCI*)

My vet says that after 60 days, he is ready to go. I will walk him (I hope!!!) for 1 week. Then pick up with some flat work and conditioning trot sets. I will do that for the first 30 days, then work back to collected work and jumping sometime around mid to the end of December. If all goes well... he should be back out eventing at the beginning of the season in February. This was MUCH better than I was thinking when I was standing at the hospital watching his surgery!!

He has done very well though. He did not have to have anything cut or removed, just flipped back over and turned around, so recovery was quicker. Because it was torsion and not impaction, he was allowed to go back to regular diet fairly quickly (after gut motility was back in order), so he has actually put on quite a few pounds, and looks fat and sassy. Because he was so fit... his muscle tissue was healthy, and his blood flow was good... so his sutures healed very quickly and clean.

Hope your guy is doing well. It is a horrible nightmare to go through! I have had horses for 27 years, and this was a first. I hope it's the last!!

Good luck!!!

You might check out this website- they have a post colic surgery back to work schedule in the "library" www.atlantaequine.com (http://www.atlantaequine.com)

[VTHokie]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by bounce:
He did not have to have anything cut or removed, just flipped back over and turned around, so recovery was quicker. Because it was torsion and not impaction, he was allowed to go back to regular diet fairly quickly (after gut motility was back in order), so he has actually put on quite a few pounds, and looks fat and sassy.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Someone from the hospital called me today to know what his regular diet is. They said they want to start working him towards that. I thought it was strange because they initially told me 30 days with no food, just hay/grass. And he did have torsion and impaction. Hmmm...
I'm going tomorrow, so I'll get that cleared up.

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

[Phaxxton]

jingles for xpress!!!

Hugs for VTHokie!!!!

[Finnegan]

Hope all is still going well for you two and he's coming along.

~Bev

-----------------------
Finnegans Wake
1992
Irish Sport Horse x Hanoverian
16.1hh
bay

[onetempies]

Hey bounce... we're only 5 days difference in recovery! My mare had her surgery on the 15th. However... she wasn't the fittest mare going in since she had been out of work since October due to pregnancy & foaling. I had only been working her for about 3 weeks before her surgery. One more week until that behind hits the saddle and I can start 30 days of walk conditioning work! YEAH!!!!!! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

*Member of the bad shoulder clique* (open surgery was 1-6-03)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
Bay colt by Lacoste 5-6-03
Chevy weaned at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039281435919508498655.jpg)
Next to me at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039283565576409309114.jpg)
Trying to be Superman at 4 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039285432554183964022.jpg)

[onetempies]

VTH... any updates? Sounds like your guy is on his way. Seems weird that they want to start working towards his full ration though... depending on how much that is. Are they using Equine Senior or something else? My mare is a lifer with Equine Senior now since this 2nd surgery they want her to stay away from the grain starches to minimize gas build-up.

Keep us posted! (((HUGS)))

*Member of the bad shoulder clique* (open surgery was 1-6-03)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
Bay colt by Lacoste 5-6-03
Chevy weaned at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039281435919508498655.jpg)
Next to me at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039283565576409309114.jpg)
Trying to be Superman at 4 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039285432554183964022.jpg)

[frugalannie]

Jingles for you, VTHokie!

[VTHokie]

Just got home from my visit with Xpress, and he is doing good. The jingles are working! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
He was started on wet beet pulp and senior feed today. And is at 3 flakes of hay for a day. He had a little stomach discomfort when I was there early in the day, and was lifting his back leg and pawing in front but he had two bowel movements around that time and the vet thinks it's just discomfort from that. When I returned in the afternoon he was very happy and begging for treats, and pooped again. (Never been so happy to see poop.) Yay!
He's off fluids and should be off the antibotics and all drugs I think by tomorrow. And Sunday looks like the official release date.

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

[jjsmom]

Yippee! Keeping our fingers (& hooves) crossed for your boy's continued speedy recovery!

[Finnegan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by VTHokie:
Never been so happy to see poop.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Funny huh? I was so happy to see poops. I was keeping count for a while. Then don't get started on the texture, color & smell - those alone tell a whole story. Only horse people!!!! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

~Bev

-----------------------
Finnegans Wake
1992
Irish Sport Horse x Hanoverian
16.1hh
bay

[PiedPiper]

VAHokie
That is so great to hear! Give him a big kiss for me. Is he still scheduled to come home on Sunday? Poor guy. How is his weight looking?
http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[VTHokie]

Piper - He does look a little thinner than before but not too bad. Hopefully, since they're starting him on feed so soon he won't lose too much weight. Yes, he should be going home Sunday.
Give me a call tomorrow I've got other unrelated bad news to share. I really have got the worst luck.

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

[PiedPiper]

VAHokie
Oh honey, I am sorry to hear more bad news! I swear this has not been a great year for you! I will give you a call tonight after I hand graze my boy. He is doing better, swelling down a lot, pretty sound now, much better spirits. He does back next Tuesday to be ultrasounded again and then can go out. We are moving into our new place next weekend. Wish me luck on finding boarders! Anyway, I will give you call http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/sigh.gif I hope things start looking up.

[reefy!]

Yay for Xpress! So glad to hear he's doing well.

I hope my horse can come home this weekend, too, but since they haven't figured out what's wrong yet, it's not looking too good.
At least he's acting like himself!

Yes, only horse people get excited about moist, green pooh http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif

[VTHokie]

http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
Xpress made the trip home safely. And is staying in the huge foaling stall to help make things feel a little less confining for the next 30 days.
Anyone know the best place to buy one of those stall toys, the Boredom Breaker and Lik-Its? So far the best price I've seen is $39. at Dover, I think that may be the best.

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

[IrishLuck]

Im glad your horse is safe and recovering!

[onetempies]

What wonderful news! Glad you had a safe trip back! Hope he settles in okay. Just keep an eye on that incision line for a bit.

My mare went back to my trainer's this morning. She was having a grand time outside picking on the two mare she's pastured with and squealing at the neighbor mare. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif As I was getting ready to leave she dropped & rolled in the mud, got up, and took off bucking and rearing. Silly mare. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/winkgrin.gif

*Member of the bad shoulder clique* (open surgery was 1-6-03)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
Bay colt by Lacoste 5-6-03
Chevy weaned at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039281435919508498655.jpg)
Next to me at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039283565576409309114.jpg)
Trying to be Superman at 4 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039285432554183964022.jpg)

[Anne]

I am so glad he's home!

Heaven forbid, let me know if you ever have anything else that comes to see us at the vet school!

[Erin Pittman]

Lots and lots of Jingles!!! I just looked at thehorse.com and they have an article this month on recovering from colic - you can see it here (http://www.thehorse.com/qf.asp?fid=4709) I feel soooo lucky that I haven't had to deal with that (knock on wood). I hope your boy feels better soon!

Erin

[jjsmom]

Whoopie! He's home http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[VTHokie]

http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/no.gif
I'm worried because he's not drinking enough water. He only had about 1/4 of a bucket so far today and I think about the same amount last night. And the poop is looking small, dark and round. Not good.
I'm thinking about stopping off at the store on my way back to the barn tonight for some Gatorade to add to one of his buckets to see if he likes it. Should I just pour a small bottle in with his water?
He's already back on electrolytes as of last night.

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

[jjsmom]

I wouldn't worry too much. Check with the surgeon if you're really concerned, but 1/4 bucket is pretty good if he's in a little discomfort. Keep pinching his skin to see how quickly it springs back, check his membranes to see if they are dry looking. These will be signs he's becoming dehydrated. Try the gatorade if you like, but I have always found mine will just drink when they are thirsty enough.

Can you do a REALLY soupy bran mash for him, without the oats in the sweetfeed (nothing sharp)? Check with the hospital. Maybe add some applesauce or molasses if they say it's OK. You can get some fluids into him that way if you keep it soupy enough. I had a horse with the stomach flu & it worked for him after a while.

Also, don't worry too much about his manure looking different. I'm sure his food is very different than it was, and it will take a while for his digestive tract to get back to normal .

But definitely, I would call the surgeon to put your mind at ease if you are worried. Best of luck.

Oh, and take his temperature every few hours. Dehydration or infection will probably give him a fever.

[Finnegan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by VTHokie:
http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/no.gif
I'm worried because he's not drinking enough water. He only had about 1/4 of a bucket so far today and I think about the same amount last night. And the poop is looking small, dark and round. Not good.
I'm thinking about stopping off at the store on my way back to the barn tonight for some Gatorade to add to one of his buckets to see if he likes it. Should I just pour a small bottle in with his water?
He's already back on electrolytes as of last night.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I know what you mean!! I panicked too when I thought my boy wasn't drinking enough. So much so that I called his surgeon at his home on a Sunday morning to ask what to do.

He said to give salt. I said, what about electrolytes? He said electrolytes are for horses that have (over) exerted themselves through excercise/lots of sweating (heat). But if the problem is he needs to drink more or to keep him drinking what one needs to do is make the boy thirsty and let his own body do the work! Hence, supplement his food with a tablespoon of salt. Some horses require less, some more. At the time I called the surgeon he had me putting 2-3 tbls in his food. I'm down to 1 tbls a day everyday till he dies. BTW, he suggested unprocessed sea salt (still has the minerals and stuff in it), or kosher salt, but if you have to regular table salt works.

~Bev

-----------------------
Finnegans Wake
1992
Irish Sport Horse x Hanoverian
16.1hh
bay

[Evalee Hunter]

Hand grazing as much as possible will help--especially if you can give the grass a quick sprinkle with water first.

Have you asked your vet about pro-biotics? I know our vet thinks we are wacky & they don't help but we can see the difference when we add them to Rose's feed. She has had a rough summer, with foot surgery, confinement to recover & then impaction colic. The pro-biotics have really helped. Probios (powder not boluses) is good & not very expensive and Equigest worked well, too, but is more expensive.

www.rougelandfarm.com (http://www.rougelandfarm.com) Home of TB stallion Alae Rouge, sire of our filly Rose, ribbon-winner on the line at Dressage at Devon.

[VTHokie]

jjsmom - his senior feed and beet pulp both have water in it, and they should be making it soupy. There are a few different people that feed, and I hope they are all doing the same thing.

Finnegan - I might try the salt tomorrow, the vet said electrolytes are fine since they are mostly salt but I'm almost out anyway and I'm sure table salt is probably cheaper anyway.

Evalee - Yes I asked about the probiotics when he was at the hospital and she said it was fine. I gave him Probios (the live form in a gel, 15g yesterday and 15g today). And I will start him on Fastrack (that comes in a bag) tomorrow.

I gave him a Gatorade sampling tonight and Watermelon Ice won hands down. He put his ears back and spit out both the orange and the strawberry. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif So I poured the remainder of the smallish container of watermelon flavor into his water bucket but somehow I think it won't help since it ended up so diluted. I wonder how much "pure" gatorade from the plastic bottles is safe, since I guess it has sugar in it. Heck, if he likes it and it will keep him hydrated I'd cart cases of the stuff to him. I hate to pester the vet again but I don't want to upset his stomach more.

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

[VTHokie]

And I asked about how much hand grazing I can do, and they said he should not be out of his stall for more than 15 minutes twice a day no matter what. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/sigh.gif

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

[onetempies]

Shoot for the sale as Finn said. Works really good. Only other suggestion is how cold is the water he's got right now and what are the temps like? Is there anyway you could hook up a heated water bucket? My aunt always used the Lyte Salt.

You definitely want to be careful of the handgrazing... at least for the first 2 weeks. Then you could probably slowly increase it IF he is continuing to digest everything well.

Good luck!

*Member of the bad shoulder clique* (open surgery was 1-6-03)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
Bay colt by Lacoste 5-6-03
Chevy weaned at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039281435919508498655.jpg)
Next to me at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039283565576409309114.jpg)
Trying to be Superman at 4 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039285432554183964022.jpg)

[bloodhorse]

I don't know how long your horse was on IV fluids, but in my experience, it took time to "wean" off the IV and back to being interested in water.

[bloodhorse]

Have you taken his temperature?

[VTHokie]

Bloodhorse - Haven't taken his temperature, but I will tonight. It has been normal throughout the entire colic and recovery at hospital so I'll keep an eye out if that is an indicator of dehydration.
He's been off IV fluid for about a week now.
He seems to be the most interested in water right when it somes out of the hose so I'm going to try "refilling" the bucket throughout the day even if it doesn't need it.

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

[VTHokie]

Onetempies - The weather is still warm so it's not because the water is too cold, however it is something I have to watch when it does get cold. His minor colic last December was probably caused by the cold water and his dislike of it.
Oh, and great pic of your colt "flying"! Now that's what I call an action shot. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/yes.gif

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

[LH]

A couple of thoughts. My older jumper colicked a few years ago, had major surgery (with a resection of 6 feet of gut), and went home on day 5 after the surgery. He was allowed unlimited hand grazing (grass roughage is good for them), but no turnout for 2 weeks. Then unlimited turnout (he does NOT run) for another month, then back to light hacking, gradually getting him back in shape.

He lost more than 100 pounds at the hospital, so when he was finally able to have grain (after about a month, I think), he went on pellets (not sweet feed -- absorption issue), and he looked terrible -- bad coat, etc. So I put him on a probiotic (Fastrack is the best), and Glanzen Lite (Horsetech) for the biotin and flax -- he looked great and was jumping around the 4' in three months! He's still an easy keeper, but he's now almost 17!

[LH]

Oh yeah, I was told to not give him alfalfa, and stick with grass/timothy hay.

[VTHokie]

LH - Looks like I'm doing some things the same then....I've asked the staff not to feed him any coastal hay, just timothy, and I just started him on Fastrack (well, actually tomorrow morning). He's already eating pellets (senior feed) 1 quart twice a day since last Wednesday, and today they added 1/2 quart of Strategy. He also gets 1 qt. beet pulp and it is all soaked.
We won't be able to turn him out at all until next month because he does love to play. And it will have to be a round pen for the first 30 days of turnout, it does have some grass.
He hasn't lost that much weight and so far despite his winter coat growing in, his coat looks good so far considering.
I'll try to get some pictures tomorrow to compare and see if he looks worse than I think.

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

[VTHokie]

At the risk of sounding like a complete idiot....Is iodized salt Okay?

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http://community.webshots.com/user/xpresssmom[/URL]

[LH]

Iodized salt should be fine, but actually, the iodine in "non-iodized" salt could be helpful, too. I wouldn't really worry about it. You might also want to consider putting him on a general multi-vitamin/mineral just for additional nutritional support -- Accel or Grand Vite or something like that. Couldn't hurt, and might help boost his immune system back up there! (Vitamin E, Lysine is good for that and is in those supplements).

And if he still shows a little discomfort, it could be from the incision healing. Every now and then my horse looked a little funny, so I took his temp (normal) checked respiration (ditto), and confirmed that he is a major wuss. Which he is. But I did NOT give him any Bute or Banamine because if the incision was bothering him, I wanted it to bother him enough that he wouldn't lay down or goof around, and I didn't want to mask any pain if there was an intestinal problem where they sewed up the resection. After the first couple of days, he was fine, and healed great!

Good luck to you!!! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Andie235]

Try making the water lukewarm. A lot of horses ind this more appealing because it's not as much of a shock to the system. We always do this for colicy horses because you want to keep their systems as calm as possible.

[onetempies]

Any updates VTH? Hope all is well! Hopefully you didn't get hit with these winds that we got here. E-gads... speeds were measured up to 75 mph around my area! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

Good points LH! My mare did the same thing. Every once in awhile she'd get a pained/stressed look. So I'd take all the vitals and kind of touch along the suture line. Sure enough it was the suture line... she would just be a bit tender to the touch when I rubbed along it. There's a ton of layers there that the surgeons have to cut through... so it takes awhile for everything to heal up completely. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/sigh.gif

Keeping my fingers crossed for ya! As far as a vitamin supplement... I also really like Ultra Fire. Besides the wonderful smell it has it's had a wonderful effect on my arab mare (different mare from the one who had colic surgery). She tends to be a horse who paces a lot. Now that she's been on the Ultra Fire for a month, she's stopped the pacing! It does say that it has a calming effect... but this is working better than the actual CALMING supplements I've tried! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif Only ingredient it doesn't have that I'd like to see is Selenium, only because Michigan is deficient in it.

*Member of the bad shoulder clique* (open surgery was 1-6-03)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
Bay colt by Lacoste 5-6-03
Chevy weaned at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039281435919508498655.jpg)
Next to me at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039283565576409309114.jpg)
Trying to be Superman at 4 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039285432554183964022.jpg)

[VTHokie]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! He is colicking again. Vet came out, it's a large impaction, he hasn't passed manure all day. Not in as much pain as last time and still wants food but only after a shot of banamine at 2:30pm. I'm home grabbing extra warm clothes, food and husband to take back to barn for all night horse watch. Please pray for him. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

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

[Frank B]

Our prayers for Xpress's recovery -- and you and your hubby's peace of mind -- are being offered.

Hopefully, it's weather-related and Xpress will be feeling much better soon.

Frank B

[bloodhorse]

I am so sorry this is happening. I didn't go into very much detail before because it was just too familiar. My horse refused water for days after surgery and all the water my horse accepted were through bran mashes. The vets and I tried warm water, apple juice, molasses, different colored buckets, anything anyone could think, but in time she needed to go back on IV fluids. It may feel like time is standing still now, but all I can say is hang in there and stay strong.

[ML]

VTHokie do hope things are going better for you. Dang praying for a horse to poop. Jingles from hokie in NJ .

Save a horse swat a mosquito.

[Adelita]

You have my love and prayers.....

&gt;^.,.^&lt;


www.imom.org (http://www.imom.org)
Helping those who cannot afford veterinary care for their pets...

[FsD]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>
Does anyone have any positive stories of colic surgery recovery? Suggestions for the recovery phase...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Maybe this LINK over in Hunter/Jumper Land will help.....
Amazing Recovery (http://chronicleforums.com/groupee/forums?a=tpc&s=6656094911&f=7076024331&m=98260489)

"Just ANOTHER Unpaid Groom, A Mom"

[Millennium Wind]

Best of luck with everything. We have been dealing with colic the last couple of days and luckily no surgery. I don't have much in the way of advice--but my thoughts and prayers are with you and your horse.

Millennium Wind

[onetempies]

Oh Man... this bites!

Jingling and praying for POOP! Hope he's feeling better again soon!

*Member of the bad shoulder clique* (open surgery was 1-6-03)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
Bay colt by Lacoste 5-6-03
Chevy weaned at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039281435919508498655.jpg)
Next to me at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039283565576409309114.jpg)
Trying to be Superman at 4 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039285432554183964022.jpg)

[ShowBiz]

Ugh! I am thinking of you!! Jingle, jingle! Get better soon Xpress!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My love ShowBiz, RIP 8/17/99 - 10/28/03. You are in my heart forever.

[M.K.Smith]

Sending jingles from MD

MKB...

http://www.leakycreek.com click on the photo to enter

[Finnegan]

Here's hoping for a poop and a mobile gut!

~Bev

-----------------------
Finnegans Wake
1992
Irish Sport Horse x Hanoverian
16.1hh
bay

[jilltx]

Praying for poo and a speedy recovery here in Texas!! Crosing fingers and toes for good measure.

~Jilltx
http://doobage.redirectme.net/horses/kelly2.jpg

"I wonder if they are using the same wind that we are using?" - The Princess Bride

[marta]

oh man, that sucks! jingling again!!!

"It appears we are being transformed from an information
society to an informant society." Rep. Dennis Kucinich

[VTHokie]

Just got home. It's not going well. We took him back to the vet hospital this morning and they said it's another very large impaction with a slight twist. He isn't in as much pain so far and is alert, but there are obvious bouts of pain that do come and go. They are putting him on IV fluid and hoping things move along. They asked if surgery becomes absolutely necessary, would I want them to do it....I can't imagine putting him through that again, especially if, as they said, the recovery chances are slimmer, and the chance of more colic is higher. As of now, they have the order not to do any surgery. I can hardly breathe thinking that he could possibly be put to sleep, if the treatment doesn't work, and am I making the right decision? He's just so sensitive and I don't think he'll make it through another surgery and recovery period and then he'll have suffered for nothing....
Please pray that the fluids work and he is able to recover.

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

[NZ Loopy Lu]

All the very very best at what must be a simply awful time for you - My thoughts and prayers are with you.

What a lucky horse to have such a caring owner. Only you know what is best for him, I am sure you will make the right decision.

Kia Kaha

Loopy Lu

Proud member of the IDAC clique
http://community.webshots.com/user/hazelbabe2

[lstrsk8rbngs]

i had to make the same decision earlier this year when my jumper coliced 24 hours after colic surgery. chances weren't good of him surviving a second surgery, especially because the didn't know what was causing him to colic.(part of his intestine keep going through i small hole) &lt;---i don't remember the real name for that. i couldn't put him through that one more time knowing that chances were so slim. we medicated him for two days to no luck. you'll know what the right decision is for you. he was the nicest horse i've ever owned and he was for sale at the time (i didn't have the money to show him and he was too nice of a horse to waste). deciding to sell him was a harder decision than deciding to put him down i couldn't see putting him through that again.

[levremont]

As most of you know I went through this with my wonderful jumper Hector this summer, he went through 2 surgeries (2nd one 2 months later) and then did very well for a month, coliced again and we (Dr. Stevens and I) decided it was not fair to put him through it again....I can fully understand your pain, hope it turns out well, but know that you gave him more than some people ever would, he is a lucky horse to have you as his owner

visit us at www.levremont.com (http://www.levremont.com)

[VTHokie]

Thank you, I'm so scared for him. He really is the sweetest horse I've ever known and I just want what is best for him.
He is at the hospital which is 2 hours from me and I had to ride back home with my trainer so I couldn't stay at the hospital. I know he is in good hands and don't want to pester the staff with phone calls but I really want to know how he is responding to the IV. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

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

[Sobriska]

Jingling and praying that he will be OK.

Be all that you can be forever. Be an organ donar.

[VTHokie]

The vet just called with an update...
He has pooped twice and is wiggling his nose through the bars for attention and searching for hay in his pristine (hay-free) stall. He hasn't required any additional pain meds since the one he had early this afternoon.
She will call again in the AM with another update. I may get a little sleep tonight after all. I am so relieved he is comfortable and things are progressing however little it may be.

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

[juniormom]

Just wanted to let you know we are sending lots of thoughts and prayers your way......

[onetempies]

Yeah for POOP! http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/yes.gif

Here's hoping that all goes well for you guys. You sure have been through a lot with the horses! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that your boy heals up now!

Did you talk to the vets at all about the beet pulp? I know that can have the tendency to cause colic so you may want to ask the surgeons there. Before my mare's most recent surgery I had her on Strategy as well. But after the surgery my surgeon said to get her off of that and keep her on the Equine Senior only. Plus she can have absolutely nothing that is grain based because of her lacking the ability to process the starches.

Best of luck to you! Please keep us posted!

*Member of the bad shoulder clique* (open surgery was 1-6-03)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
Bay colt by Lacoste 5-6-03
Chevy weaned at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039281435919508498655.jpg)
Next to me at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039283565576409309114.jpg)
Trying to be Superman at 4 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039285432554183964022.jpg)

[Scuttle]

I hope things keep improving from there! What a rough couple of weeks it's been for you. Hope everything works out ok.
-Kelly

[Finnegan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by lstrsk8rbngs:
part of his intestine keep going through i small hole) &lt;---i don't remember the real name for that. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The forehman (sorry, spelled wrong but pronounced for-RAY-men.) I am intimately familiar with that stupid hole in the mesentary!!!

~Bev

-----------------------
Finnegans Wake
1992
Irish Sport Horse x Hanoverian
16.1hh
bay

[SloRider]

Here's a jingle from NoVa to hope things keep moving in the right direction.

[levremont]

Jingles.jingles, jingles I am so glad for POOP...keep it moving Xpress

visit us at www.levremont.com (http://www.levremont.com)

[Pol]

Oh Lordy, weeping over here. It is MORNING now, update if you can...Hoping there were more poo piles over night.

[VTHokie]

The hospital called this morning and he is looking good. More poop and no visual signs of colic but they still have to do a rectal to see if there is anything wrong. They hope to feed him tonight and possibly release him tomorrow. I'm not breathing a sigh of relief until the rectal is done though.

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

[VTHokie]

Anyone have experience with keeping a mini as a companion? He's in a foaling stall and seems a bit depressed, and will go out in a round pen in a couple weeks and will definitley not be happy with being alone.

I will do a search on this, but if anyone has experience with this, specifically using the same stall for both and turning out together, let me know.

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

[jilltx]

Hey VT. Glad to hear that he's looking better!! That's always good news.

I have never tried a mini, but did have two goats for a few months as companions for my gelding that had seperation anxiety. They helped him a bit, but not much and they were into EVERYTHING!! I think the real question will be how your guy handles the "companion" animal. I have two seperate friends who have used mini-donkeys as companion animals for orphaned foals as well as adult horses. They seem to work well for them.

Good luck and continued jingles!!!

~Jilltx
http://doobage.redirectme.net/horses/kelly2.jpg

"I wonder if they are using the same wind that we are using?" - The Princess Bride

[Pol]

Oh Phew. Hooray for functioning intestines. Hoping they are still at it. Please tell more in the morning...

[VTHokie]

http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif The entire impaction has passed through. He ate this morning, they are taking the staples out today, and he's ready to go home.
I'm breathing now...

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

[PiedPiper]

VTHokie,
That is great! I am so glad to hear that he is recovering. Hey if you end up with a mini or a small pony, let me know, I might buy it off you when you are done with it. I am looking into the idea of a companion and/or a lesson/barn "pet". Anyway, that sounds wonderful! Keep us all updated!

[ShowBiz]

YIPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! I am so excited for you! Thanks for the updates! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My love ShowBiz, RIP 8/17/99 - 10/28/03. You are in my heart forever.

[VTHokie]

Thank you all for the support.
Talked to my vet that normally sees him and she would like him to stay at the hospital for a couple of days so we're sure he's eating, pooping and drinking normal, since it's a long 2 hours to take him back and forth. We're going to probably keep him on just Equine Senior wet and soaked alfalfa cubes with some table salt. And try giving him more hand grazing, since the grass will be good for him. Discontinuing the probiotics, and electrolytes and going to try not giving him any hay in case of adhesions and ulcers. Also stopping the beet pulp because vet says every time she has tubed him it's beet pulp that isn't being digested.
Oh, and he's on Gastro-guard now for the possible ulcers.

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http://community.webshots.com/user/xpresssmom[/URL]

[Kiwayu]

VTHokie- I'm glad everything is going good. I used to have my horse on beet pulp until he started having impactions. My vet said that beet pulp will cause a horse to have impactions. I know that your vet advised you to stop it and to start the Equine Senior...Good move! Thats what I did and it solved everything. I even do the soaked Alfalfa Cubes. The cubes are even good if you need to get extra water in your horse. Haven't had a problem yet. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[onetempies]

VTH... sounds like a good move on the vet/surgeon's part at the clinic! I was wondering about the beet pulp too. That's why I've always been hesitant to feed it especially after the first colic surgery with my mare.

The alfalfa cubes will help with weight too. What kind of hay do you guys have there to feed out?

Best of luck getting 100% through this! I can also sympathize on the ulcer topic... I've been treating my colt for them since Saturday. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

*Member of the bad shoulder clique* (open surgery was 1-6-03)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
Bay colt by Lacoste 5-6-03
Trying to be Superman at 4 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039285432554183964022.jpg)
Chevy weaned at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039281435919508498655.jpg)
Next to me at 6 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Nov/200311162938112870709318.jpg)
Head Shot at 6 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Nov/200311168425229401877889.jpg)

[ML]

VTHokie so glad things are looking up . I have heard from my vet about impactions from beet pulp. Wonder why it does this, so many love it.
I soak the cubes till mushy. Horses love them that way too. Fill up bucket half way with cubes add water to top. I feed like 1 quart of dry cubes with guart of water. Hope all is well with you. humm Poop chant must of worked http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

Save a horse swat a mosquito.

[VTHokie]

onet- we feed timothy and coastal but Xpress should have only been getting timothy, and for the most part he was (only saw coastal in his stall a couple times.)
He really has dropped some weight and isn't looking so great. When he comes home I may still take some pictures so when he recovers and regains weight (positive thinking here) I'll have something to compare it to.
The credit for stopping the beet pulp goes to my vet at home. I decided on the alfalfa cubes thanks to advice from the BB.

I'm a little nervous about how his energy level and attitude will be after he's been on the senior feed and alfalfa cubes instead of Strategy and hay. We've had a problem in the past with him getting a little too full of himself, and I don't want him running around and bucking when we start him on round pen turnout soon.

-----------------------------

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

[VTHokie]

ML - when do you feed the cubes? Is it just once, when they're brought inside, and is it after a meal?

-----------------------------

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

[VTHokie]

And since he'll be getting more food than usual with the Senior feed, I'm going to have him get fed three times a day instead of twice, even if I have to go out and do it myself.

-----------------------------

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

[accidental buckaroo]

I have been following your thread and am glad to read of the improvement. Here in Okla, colic prone and post colic horses are recommended by a big colic surgical vet not to have coastal bermuda, as it sets up for impaction.

Here is hoping the good news continues!

[onetempies]

How much Senior do they have you starting out with? When Sass left... they had her on 1/4 scoop per feeding and no increase until she passed her 30 day mark. One suggestion I DO have, is keep an eye on your boy's feet! If he has ever been prone to abscessing keep a lookout for a fever ring that may develop from the surgery. My mare developed a horrendous one after her first surgery then was lame for 2 months about 6 months post surgery. The fever ring had grown out to heel level and was putting excess pressure on them. That caused bruising, abscessing, AND corns on both front feet. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif She never showed any signs of laminitis during recovery either... it was just one of those freak things.

So... I had brought that up to the surgeon this time around and he has Sass on skim milk powder 2x a day for extra calcium along with a good biotin supplement. She'll get pumped up with this for the next few months then I'll stop the skim milk powder.

Do you have any access to plain grass/brome hay out there? Timothy is a bit coarser of a hay so not quite as palatable/digestible as the softer grass type hays. The alfalfa will help add a buffer in his tummy if he does have an ulcer cropping up in there (spent all yesterday reading up on ulcers http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/sleepy.gif ).

My surgeon (after this last surgery) also said that Sass could graze as much as she wanted. The grass acts as a natural laxative so it'll help keep things moving along as long as your guy keeps drinking well. If he stops drinking real good once he's home again... just for the heck of it, you may want to consider putting a heated water bucket up. Just to see if it'll help him drink more. But I think you'll find that he'll be more apt to drink with more "out" time (handwalking). My mare was the same way but after her walks, she'd suck down a whole bucket of water PLUS part of the refill. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

Best of luck with your boy!

*Member of the bad shoulder clique* (open surgery was 1-6-03)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
Bay colt by Lacoste 5-6-03
Trying to be Superman at 4 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039285432554183964022.jpg)
Chevy weaned at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039281435919508498655.jpg)
Next to me at 6 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Nov/200311162938112870709318.jpg)
Head Shot at 6 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Nov/200311168425229401877889.jpg)

[VTHokie]

Yes, I did notice he drinks when he comes in from the hand grazing. I've already located a heated water bucket, since I know he doesn't like cold water, and I don't want him to have yet another excuse not to drink. The water has a high sulfer content, which didn't bother him too much when I moved him there but it may be a problem now because I noticed he does prefer the bucket of water that smells like gatorade.
Oh, and yes, he is very prone to abscesses. He seems to have them opened up, out of nowhere, never gets lame from them but does get them too often.
I think we may avoid hay altogether and just go with three feedings of Senior, the cubes, and lots more hand grazing until turnout is okay.

-----------------------------

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

[Pol]

Oh yay. Alfalfa pellets are good too, if it turns out he doesn't like the cubes. I should think many (4-5-6) small meals would be better for him. Also glad he's staying there for a while. Yay

[juniormom]

So glad to hear he is doing better! You might want to ask them about the bagged grass forage that Triple Crown makes. It comes with or without alfalfa. It may be too fine.... not sure..... Good luck! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[PiedPiper]

VTHokie,
Watch for rocks and other foreign materials in the Triple Crown forage. I am feeding that to Piper now and when I break up the chunks I find some good sized rocks. We suspect that when Shadow chocked last winter it was on a rock in the forage. So glad to hear that things are going better. I wonder if there is any way you could get some orchard grass hay? Hmmm, let me work on that!

[Kiwayu]

PiedPiper- It's funny that you say that about the rocks. I've found the same thing in the Triple Crown Forage. I had to stop using it because that stuff gave my horse diarrhea.

[Cherry]

Yes, I have my own collection of rocks from my Triple Crown Grass Forage as well... Guess it's time to say something to the company... http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif I thought it was just me...

I've been tossing these rocks and pebbles aside since I started feeding the stuff about three years ago--I think I have a pound of them at this point... http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif I'm thinking of sending them back to the company and asking them to replace them with the equivalent amount of Grass Forage, since that is what I thought I was paying for when I bought their product!!! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_mad.gif

"Everything looks good until you start to examine it!!!", uttered by me on more than one occasion

[reefy!]

Yay! I'm glad Xpress is coming home again!

My boy colicked AGAIN the day after we brought him home (different kind of colic) and I couldn't stop crying. I just couldn't believe it was happening AGAIN!!

Knock on wood, that was Thursday and we've been fine since.

Lots of jingles for continued good health!

* STRESSED is DESSERTS spelled backwards! *

[VTHokie]

Reefy - thanks, and I hope things go well from here on out for you guy too.

Piedpiper - AH HA! The rocks! Do you remember in VA, when I found stones in Xpress's bucket several times and couldn't figure out where they were coming from? Well I was feeding him Triple Crown forage at the time! That explains it.
Yeah, I think I'll stick with the alfalfa cubes instead of the rock laden grass forage thank you very much. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/yes.gif

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

[juniormom]

http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_eek.gifRocks in the Triple Crown Forage? We never had that problem that I know of unless our horse decided they were tasty "treats" and ate them! http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/uhoh.gif We used that forage for a couple of years. I believe I would call the company. Sounds like someone somewhere isn't doing their job!! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[VTHokie]

Update: Xpress is colicking again. He has been feeling bad since about 3:00pm today. The vet has come out and says it's a gas colic this time. She tubed him with oil and gave him some banamine and rompun for the pain, but for some reason he didn't take well to the drugs even though it was about half of what he would normally get. We ended up having to hold him up literally, for an hour and a half until he could wake up from it. I am home right now to try and eat and get warmer clothes and then I'll be back out there at 10:00 tonight to see how he's doing once all of the drugs should have completely worn off. She had me give him about a third of his normal senior feed to keep him calm during feeding, and he has pooped once (while she was there). But he is very full of gas. So we need jingles again, this time for passing of the gas and his comfort! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

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

[Evalee Hunter]

Jingling. I sure hope you get to the bottom of the problem. Sounds like something is not right somewhere in his system.

www.rougelandfarm.com (http://www.rougelandfarm.com) Home of TB stallion Alae Rouge, sire of our filly Rose, ribbon-winner on the line at Dressage at Devon.

[near miss]

Jingles!!!! You two sure have had it ruff lately!!

www.equinewellnessmassage.com (http://www.equinewellnessmassage.com)

[ML]

Oh my. Jingles from NJ. hugs

http://www.localweb.com/beadtrap/donkeyday/jokerelfsm.jpg

[CoolMeadows]

Jingles from SW Va

http://coolmeadows.homestead.com/CoolMeadowsHome.html

[jumpsalot]

Jingles from Raleigh,burning up the road between home, work & the vet school.

It has been a crazy month for horses.
Jingle,jangle,Xpress.

[VTHokie]

Thank you everybody.
Just got back home from my night check in on Xpress and when I opened the barn doors and he saw me, he whinnied with eyes bright and ears pricked so he's definitely feeling good right now. I can still hear alot of stomach noise and he flicks an ear back every now and then when the grumbling starts so I think he's still gasey but not as bad. He drank a good amount (1/2 bucket total since I left at 5:00 which is good for him, and especially since it's cold), and there was a nice moist pile of poop which was a welcome sight. I think tomorrow I will devote my whole day to hand grazing him so he can have the benefits of grass that he needs since he's still not allowed full pasture turnout and the roundpen he's allowed in has almost no grass.
Seeing his "happy ears" and hearing him whinny the "feed me whinny" was just what I needed right now.
Thanks again for the support!

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

[Evalee Hunter]

I'm sure you covered this on the other thread on giving him a balanced diet, but you did add probiotics, right?

Also, are you able to feed him some alfalfa? There's an old belief that alfalfa softens the manure.

I'm sure glad he's feeling better & I hope he keeps on doing well!!

www.rougelandfarm.com (http://www.rougelandfarm.com) Home of TB stallion Alae Rouge, sire of our filly Rose, ribbon-winner on the line at Dressage at Devon.

[onetempies]

Continuing those jingles! Hope he's feeling better soon! Please keep us posted!

*Member of the bad shoulder clique* (open surgery was 1-6-03)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
Bay colt by Lacoste 5-6-03
Trying to be Superman at 4 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039285432554183964022.jpg)
Chevy weaned at 4.5 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039281435919508498655.jpg)
Next to me at 6 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Nov/200311162938112870709318.jpg)
Head Shot at 6 months (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Nov/200311168425229401877889.jpg)

[reefy!]

Oh no! Sorry to hear he colicked again. Believe me, I totally understand your frustration.

Today is our 10 day mark since the last bad colic. He seems to go about every 10 days so I'm on pins and needles today until my late afternoon visit.

Glad he's making happy faces at you today! You know that's a good sign http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/yes.gif

[Adelita]

Poor guy, and poor you...how's he doing today?

(((((((hugs)))))), prayers, and much love...

&gt;^.,.^&lt;


www.imom.org (http://www.imom.org)
Helping those who cannot afford veterinary care for their pets...

[PiedPiper]

Oh, god, I am sorry to hear that! I am glad to hear that he is doing better. You poor guys. Hopefully things will slow down soon.
http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

[VTHokie]

Umm..He was a totally different horse today. For the first time ever, when I was walking him around outside he leaped and bucked!
He didn't want to drink today, it's the coldest day we've had down here so far...so I heated 12 cups of water (one at a time) in the microwave and he drank it all down. We don't have hot water here yet, it's a new barn, so tonight I'm going to heat a bunch of water on the stove and then bring it to him tonight in thermos's.

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

[inca]

Glad he is feeling better. You are a wonderful "mom" to heat water in the microwave and then heat at home and bring in a thermos. And to think I complain when I have to tote buckets of hot water from my house to my barn (about 300 feet away.)

[reefy!]

I think I knew that was when Skippy was starting to feel better, too.

We had awful wind and cold (for us) Thanksgiving morning. I took him out for his handwalk and of course, since he's always a good boy, I didn't have a chain over his nose. It was all I could do to walk him back to the barn, maybe 1/8th of a mile. I was so scared of my horse! In retrospect it was a good thing but at the time I was afraid he'd get away from me!

More jingles that this time he stays well.

* STRESSED is DESSERTS spelled backwards! *