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Update on Gwennie: she's gone

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  • Original Poster

    #61
    an opinionated, dressage-hating chestnut who never fails to get me to the other side of anything I point him at
    Ah, I love that!

    She's doing sort of not great in many ways. Doesn't really want to walk anywhere, because it's so HARD for her. She can ONLY turn left, so maneuvering 10 degrees to the right involves a 350-degree leftward pivot on her hind legs, which really don't seem to feel where they're at. And if she misses, she has to go all the way around again. She isn't giving up, she tries, but only for food and water. Didn't want to go out to the paddock today so I gave her some hay, which she was happy to have. She nickered for me and was happy to get some loving. The stalls are awfully clean this morning so I suspect she's just not going in there any more because it's too hard to aim for the door.

    We're going to hit her hard with TMP/SMZ and pyrimethamine starting today, while I see if I can find some Marquis on a holiday weekend. Also double the dose of bute. Whatever instincts I have (and they probably don't translate very well across species) tells me steroids might help, but that's a "plan B" at this point because of the slim "pro/con" ratio there--don't want to founder her, God forbid, or make her agitated, etc. not to mention possibly giving the bug (if that's what's going on) a chance to make a break for it and make things WORSE.

    And to make things worse, her former owner's email is bouncing, I don't have a good phone number, and she's not checking in on Facebook so I'm hoping I can get in touch with her soon. If anyone knows how to contact Renee, shoot me a PM.

    So we're not doing great, but not ready to give up just yet. The chiro/acu vet is on his Army Reserve week so not back until Tuesday. We'll see how things go, I'm not super hopeful but as long as I can keep her comfortable I think she's OK still for a bit.

    Thanks for all the incredibly kind and supportive words. They mean a lot, they really do.
    Click here before you buy.

    Comment


    • #62
      You and Gwen are in my thoughts today.

      Comment


      • #63
        oh, dw, I missed this somehow. Nothing of any value to add, except, like so many others, I have been down this road (but in an emergency, bolt from the blue way, not this way), and the view from the other side is still hard 2 years later.
        But, as you know better than most, that's the burden we take on when we take them into our care, and, inevitably, into our hearts.

        Hopefully some of the things you have on your plan A/B list will work and she will turn around.

        You and Gwen both are some of our "special" peeps here on COTH -- we all feel like we know you and have cheered for you for so long (I still remember my husband's puzzled look when I saw you in the USEA mag and said "That's deltawave!!!" He thinks we are a bunch of internet wackos...).

        Keep talking to us this weekend.
        The big man -- my lost prince

        The little brother, now my main man

        Comment


        • #64
          Deltawave, I'm very sorry your Gwen is experiencing what sounds like a relapse of her EPM symptoms... having just lost our big beautiful TB gelding two weeks ago to the disease, I know how heartbreaking it is to see them lose coordination by bits and pieces and that confused look on their faces when their legs fail them for tasks they used to negotiate with ease. Our horse did not respond to to Marquis and vets advised that if he hadn't shown even one grade improvement neurologically, chances were that he would never be pasture sound and so we made that incredibly hard decision to put him down, although he struggled valiantly to get better. On his final day, the simple move turning from his feed bucket to his stall door - to look outside, which was his only daily pleasure left - caused him to fall flat down and hit his head hard on the wall... At that very moment I knew we were doing the kindest thing for him.

          Now since Gwen has improved from her original symptoms after taking Marquis the first time, I would think that another course of the medicine might help again, as well as possible steroid/DMSO infusion to see if the currently inflammation could be eased. I wouldn't give up yet on a horse that has already "beat" EPM once!

          Comment


          • #65
            DW, my deep sympathy for your and Gwen's sucky time right now. You obviously love her tremendously.

            In the vast majority of euth's, I agree with the "you'll just know when" chorus. But EPM is just the devil. It robs the body of the ability to work right, but not the mind or the will to want to do. My EPM mare mildly recovered then had a recurrence. She was still happy right til the end, happy to eat and drink, happy to see her foal, glad to see me. Her good attitude blinded me to the direness of her situation.

            I DIDN'T "know when," and I let it go too long. The mare fell hard in the pasture and broke her leg -- 1200 uncoordinated pounds doesn't land lightly. She was in very little pain b/c of the compromised nerves, but it was a nightmare. She was euth'd very quickly after. In retrospect I will always regret not acting a few days earlier, but EPM is a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad situation all around.

            May a good vet & chiro and careful drugs yield immediate and happy results for Gwen. And may you have grace and peace as you pursue whatever avenue is best for her.
            "And now," cried Max, "let the wild rumpus start!"

            Comment


            • #66
              Jingling like mad for Gwen.
              2016 RRP Makeover Competitor www.EnviousBid.com

              Comment


              • #67
                Originally posted by Blue Yonder View Post
                May a good vet & chiro and careful drugs yield immediate and happy results for Gwen. And may you have grace and peace as you pursue whatever avenue is best for her.
                couldn't say it better. Hugs from Stoney and I to both you and her majesty. She is lucky to have you.

                Comment

                • Original Poster

                  #68
                  My EPM mare mildly recovered then had a recurrence. She was still happy right til the end, happy to eat and drink, happy to see her foal, glad to see me. Her good attitude blinded me to the direness of her situation.

                  I DIDN'T "know when," and I let it go too long. The mare fell hard in the pasture and broke her leg -- 1200 uncoordinated pounds doesn't land lightly. She was in very little pain b/c of the compromised nerves, but it was a nightmare.
                  Exactly, thank you, Blue Yonder, this is my living nightmare. To drive home looking around the corner and holding my breath wondering if she's run into the fence or tripped and fallen or missed a corner and clobbered herself. And then I see her, she looks fine, pricks up her ears when she sees the car and wants to trot in, and then decides that it's just too hard, spins a few circles and just stands there until she feels like she can try again. It sucks.
                  Click here before you buy.

                  Comment


                  • #69
                    More jingles for Gwen!
                    Fox Haven Farm, Inc.
                    Home of 2002 JC Registered stallion Artrageous

                    Artrageous has his own Facebook page!

                    Comment


                    • #70
                      Jingles and hugs for you and Gwen. I'm a fan of both of you and know you will do the right thing (hoping like crazy that is watching her have good response to your plans and many more happy years together)
                      OTTBs rule, but spots are good too!

                      Comment


                      • #71
                        Originally posted by deltawave View Post
                        Exactly, thank you, Blue Yonder, this is my living nightmare. To drive home looking around the corner and holding my breath wondering if she's run into the fence or tripped and fallen or missed a corner and clobbered herself. And then I see her, she looks fine, pricks up her ears when she sees the car and wants to trot in, and then decides that it's just too hard, spins a few circles and just stands there until she feels like she can try again. It sucks.
                        I know. I had to keep repeating to myself the mantra "Better a day too early than a day too late." I may have put my wonderful gelding down too early. Or I may not have.
                        Hugs to you and Gwen, I'm so sorry, it's so very tough.
                        We're spending our money on horses and bourbon. The rest we're just wasting.
                        www.dleestudio.com

                        Comment


                        • #72
                          Lynn, you are one of the brightest, most thoughtful posters on this BB. It brings me to tears thinking of you and Gwennie, your love for each other and your wonderful partnership. She so wants to please you and you so want to do right by her!

                          Almost a year ago I had to make that decision with my old TB mare. 24+ years on her, she still looked great, nickered to me and tried to run with her pasture mates. But her nostrils were flared in pain all the time, even when she was resting in her stall, and the "ricketyness" was increasing.

                          With my vet's help, I made the decision to avoid catastrophic injury during the icy winter. We let her eat all the apples she wanted out in the orchard for a few days before, and gently sent her over the bridge among the apple trees.

                          I am jingling for Gwennie to have a rapid recovery from an acute injury. I am jingling for you because I know how heartrending our horse's pain and confusion is for you. Please keep coming to your BB friends: we're herre for you.
                          They don't call me frugal for nothing.
                          Proud and achy member of the Eventing Grannies clique.

                          Comment


                          • #73
                            I'm so sad to hear this news. Know that you and Gwen (and Bonnie) have always been on the top of my "I'd love to meet one day" COTHers. Jingling like mad.
                            "One thing vampire children have to be taught early is, don't run with a wooden stake."

                            Comment


                            • #74
                              I am a lurker who have followed you and Gwen for years. From all your posts I consider you the most levelheaded and smartest person on this bb. Please don't second guess yourself. I know you will gather and assess all the available information and make the right choice. My heart breaks for you. It is another example that in the horse world you can do everything right and still have things go wrong. You have more support than you know. I am sending you and Gwen many jingles and positive thoughts.

                              Comment


                              • #75
                                dear Lynn, I can only echo what everyone has said.
                                Your love for your beautiful, incomparable dearest Gwenn has shone through in every post, and I know in every thought and every thing you do for her.
                                I am hoping and praying that she pulls through this bad spell.
                                And I am sending you my heartfelt prayers, and hugs, and love for strength and courage when she needs you most.

                                If you want someone to talk to you know you can call me anytime, my # and email are on my website.

                                love, Gail
                                A Fine Romance. April 1991 - June 2016. Loved forever.

                                Comment


                                • #76
                                  Oh no Lots of jingles from over here.

                                  Like a lot of other people have said on this thread - I follow your posts and your stories, and even though we've never talked I ALWAYS respect your opinions because you're one of the most thoughtful, nice people I've ever seen on this board.

                                  No advice to offer, but my thoughts are with you.

                                  Comment


                                  • #77
                                    Lynn,

                                    I am sure we can find somebody in Michigan that has some Marquis in their medicine cabinet and would be able to get it to you ASAP.

                                    Do you want me to make a couple of phone calls ?
                                    Anybody here has some Marquis they could overnight Deltawave ?

                                    Comment


                                    • #78
                                      DW:

                                      I am so very sorry to hear about Gwen. Sending tons of jingles and prayers her way. When I think of her, the picture in my head is of you and Gwen jumping the huge stadium course at Maui Jim. She was awesome. Hugs to you. I know you will do what is best for Gwen no matter what. She is lucky to have you; and she is what dreams are made of.

                                      Comment


                                      • #79
                                        Hey DW I don't wander into the Eventing forum often, but just enough over the years to know that your Gwen is one special lady.

                                        And she has been lucky to have you.

                                        I agree with those who say the slow decline is perhaps harder. But, I would venture to guess that when the time comes, you will know for certain.

                                        Big hugs and jingles for you both.
                                        We couldn't all be cowboys, so some of us are clowns.

                                        Comment

                                        • Original Poster

                                          #80
                                          When I think of her, the picture in my head is of you and Gwen jumping the huge stadium course at Maui Jim. She was awesome.
                                          I watched that video last night. That was one dang stinkin' big course, and although she was tired and added strides in the triple, she was one of I think 3 or 4 no-rail SJ rounds (we had one time penalty) out of that whole huge CIC* division. Thanks for reminding me.

                                          Thanks for the offers and suggestions on the Marquis, Marjory, but I've got the other stuff in the car and, well, we'll give it a shot. I am not terribly hopeful that antimicrobial therapy at this point is going to effect any miracles, but we'll see. To pull her back from the brink only to see it happen again a week or a month from now does NOT jive with me, especially with the cold, dark icy days coming. I promised her I'd never let anything like that start to happen.
                                          Click here before you buy.

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