Asking for Prayers, Good Thoughts, Advice

[RockRiverTiff]

Wednesday night Mo took Al's dinner to his paddock and went looking for him when he didn't meet him at his gate. He found him in the dreaded sitting dog position in his loafing shed with a board laying beside him and lacerations on both back legs. It seemed obvious that he had kicked through a board at the bottom of his shed, and then fractured or dislocated a leg trying to pull free, but then I saw the swelling on his lower back. We called the vet immediately, and she recommended taking him to the Madison clinic. It was a really long drive, but Mo held him the entire way to keep him steady and calm.

Yesterday morning they called to say that x-rays showed no damage to his spine, and that they were doing a spinal tap to check for the neurological strain of EHV. I was in a complete and utter panic trying to decide which horses I would need to isolate when they called back to say the spinal tap showed no viruses or infections, but that there was blood in the sample, so he had indeed injured his back. He's been in a sling ever since as they try to figure out the next course of action. As of last night he was able to stand on his own for a few minutes, so I am trying to be optimistic, but the vet is supposed to call any time to tell us her prognosis.

Al is 17 years old, and is the last horse my grandfather bred before he passed away. He's very special to all of us, so it would mean a lot to me if you guys could send some positive energy his way. Also, in the best case scenario if he comes home I'd really appreciate advice from anyone that's rehabbed a horse with a back injury before.

 

[Make A Wish Miniatures]

Sending prayers for your stallions recovery.

 

[Little Wolf Ranch]

SENDING 3 HUMAN PRAYERS AND 9 HORSE PRAYERS YOUR WAY!

 

[StarRidgeAcres]

Oh Tiff,

I'm SO sorry. How terrifying for you and Al. I wish I had some words of advice but I've not had to deal with this yet. I'm praying for a quick recovery and no pain for your precious boy.

 

[REO]

Tiffany, I'm so sorry your boy got so badly hurt! I'll be sending him prayers and healing thoughts!

{{{Hugs}}} to you all!

 

[RockRiverTiff]

Oh Tiff,

I'm SO sorry. How terrifying for you and Al. I wish I had some words of advice but I've not had to deal with this yet. I'm praying for a quick recovery and no pain for your precious boy.

I've never dealt with anything like this before either, and it has been terrifying. I've learned so much the last couple days. You want to know what you could have done, how you could have prevented it, how you can make it so it never happens again... The vets I've talked to have tossed the words "freak accident" around a lot, but all it does is make me feel helpless.

UPDATE: The clinic just called, and the news is grim. While he tries hard to stand on his own, he's not very responsive in his back legs. I know what the vet was suggesting, but we're not ready to let him go yet. I'll be making the trip to see him again this weekend, and if he doesn't improve over the next few days then we'll have a tough decision to make next week. Thank you to everyone that's praying for him. I just hope he knows that all the strange people are trying to help him.

 

[ShaunaL]

I'm so sorry you and your boy are going through this. Lots of prayers and good thoughts for you both

 

[Crabby-Chicken]

Hope he progresses fast and is home soon!

 

[AnnaC]

Firstly let me say how sorry I am that this has happened to you boy and to you. I will be adding my prayers and healing thoughts to the others here on LB.

I have the feeling from you post that you are rather clutching at straws and searhing for any little thing that might help. Obviously I am not a vet nor do I know what your vets have found wrong in their assessment, but as you say that there is no bone damage, it follows that his injury must be with muscles, ligaments, nerves et. In other words he has received a massive trauma to his 'soft tissue'.

Thinking logically, a mare, during a bad foaling, can receive damage to the nerves along her spine/in her lower back, and be 'wobbly' on her feet when she gets up/even unable to get up for a while. So with the trauma your boy has received it is not suprising that he cannot stand alone as yet. Also with the bruising to the area there will be a lot of swelling 'pinching' his nerves, even those that are undamaged. I would not attempt to get him standing alone just yet as, if he staggers, he may well do more damage to himself.

I would like to suggest you try some homeopathic remedies - Hypericum works wonders to repair damaged nerves and simple arnica will relieve the bruising. I have no idea of the amounts you would need to give and of course they are not an instant 'fix', but they will work given a little time - you need to consult a homeopathic vet/professional fast to get him started as soon as possible. There may be other things they can suggest, plus something for shock, but in the mean time I suggest that you keep the injured area warm with a blanket or something (you may have already done this?)

If all works well and the swelling does down and he regains the use of his legs, then you need to consult an osteopath or a chiropractitioner or someone who understands the treatment for out of alinement tendons/ligaments/nerves. Please dont use physio as this is simply exercise to get stiff areas working again, even if things are misplaced, and although it has its uses in the right circumstances, I do not feel it would be useful with your little lad. Vets are like Doctors - wonderful in their field and we are grateful for it, but you need a different sort of specialist to deal with the 'soft tissues'. Many years ago when I dislocated my knee (luckily as I hit the ground for the second time it popped back in) the Docs said give it 6 weeks. 6 weeks later I hobbled into the surgery with a bent and twisted leg, to be told that it was doing fine and book in for some physio to help straighten it out. I left there and walked into my 'special little man' and an hour later after he had gently worked on the nerves and ligaments, I left his place with a completely straight and pain free leg! Why didn't the Docs do that for me??

All this is of course just my personal opinion and what I would try if, God forbid, something like this happened to one of my minis. I simply wanted to give you something to consider and, should you choose to look into it, I sincerely hope it works for you boy.

Wishing you and him all the very best. Please dont blame yourself, as your vets have said, it was just a freak accident.

Hugs - Anna

 

[White Socks Miniature]

Sending lots of good thoughts your way!!! and hoping for a speedy recovery for your stallion!

 

[RockRiverTiff]

Thinking logically, a mare, during a bad foaling, can receive damage to the nerves along her spine/in her lower back, and be 'wobbly' on her feet when she gets up/even unable to get up for a while. So with the trauma your boy has received it is not suprising that he cannot stand alone as yet. Also with the bruising to the area there will be a lot of swelling 'pinching' his nerves, even those that are undamaged. I would not attempt to get him standing alone just yet as, if he staggers, he may well do more damage to himself.
I would like to suggest you try some homeopathic remedies - Hypericum works wonders to repair damaged nerves and simple arnica will relieve the bruising. I have no idea of the amounts you would need to give and of course they are not an instant 'fix', but they will work given a little time - you need to consult a homeopathic vet/professional fast to get him started as soon as possible. There may be other things they can suggest, plus something for shock, but in the mean time I suggest that you keep the injured area warm with a blanket or something (you may have already done this?)

Thanks again to everyone that's offered support and advice, both here and by PM. Anna, I appreciate all of your advice, but I wanted to clarify that *I* am not trying to make Al do anything - he is rigged up in a sling in his stall at the university clinic in Madison. I don't think they'd let him fall - I'm assuming they're just loosening up the sling to give him an opportunity to support himself. There are many different experts at the clinic, so I wouldn't be surprised if they have a chiropractor on staff. I'm willing to try anything if it could help him, so this weekend I will ask them what they think of homeopathic treatments.

 

[Allure Ranch]

My prayers are with you that he recovers....

 

[attwoode]

Tiffany, sorry about your little guy. I also was thinking about giving him a few days to see if swelling goes down and makes a difference.

 

[AnnaC]

Tiffany, I'm sorry if I gave the impression that your boy might not be getting the best of attention, I'm sure he is getting all the help that can possibly be given and I congratulate you on getting him to a hospital facility so speedily - he is in the best place to give him the best chance of recovery. I just wanted to give you some other possibilities to think about.

Really hope you will find some improvement when you visit this weekend - good luck!

Anna

 

[RockRiverTiff]

Thanks again Anna. I'm sorry if my tone seemed defensive - I'll be the first to admit I'm an absolute headcase right now - but I wanted to be clear that I have full faith in the capabilities of the team at Madison. I know they're doing everything they can for him, so I don't want anyone to think that I'm anything less than appreciative toward them, their expertise, or their commitment to helping Al. They've been wonderful about keeping us updated and educated on everything that's going on.

 

[DianeT]

Sends prayers and good thoughts your way.

 

[3EagleFarm]

I am so sorry that this accident happend to your stallion.

I am praying that he is doing better very soon!

 

[Charlotte]

Tiffany, I am so sorry that you and your stallion are having to go through this. Both of you will be in my prayers.

When we lived up there we were at Madison a couple of times with horses having some kind of unusual problem. Our horses received very skilled care. I hope that same level of care will bring your boy through this.

Charlotte

 

[arabbossmare]

Get that fella to a Equine Chiropractor ASAP!!!! I would swear by them! My stallion (gelding now) was abused by being ridden too long and not allowing him to use his rear end in Country English Pleasure! He would swell over the spine. The trainer actually told the client that She would not ride him in any classes they did anyway and needless to say...well he has problems now!

Please please please find a chiropractor or even an accupuncturist (sp) near you. BE sure they are very reputable and certified!!

You have many prayers for a fast recovery and I pray for your sanity as well.

Carla and Spike who says *we may be tiny but we be mighty!*

 

[wildoak]

I'm so sorry, sending good thoughts that he stabilizes and recovers. Just my two cents worth, I would investigate the homeopathic option and having a chiropractor or osteopath take a look. Vets are becoming much more receptive to alternative methods, but anything more than chiropractic is still kind of "out there" to a lot of vets. Hoping for the best for you.

Jan