I have had it done one time on a buckskin show filly who thank God grew up to be a buckskin mare! My "Khaki" colicked badly at my trainers. I hadn't even seen her in a couple weeks. She'd gone to our state club's show and was Grand Champion and SO gorgeous. I was so proud of her.
Then I got a call one evening from the barn. They'd tried me probably half a dozen times, but I was outside driving one of my mares and Harvey was building a run in shed. I knew when I saw that many calls, something was bad wrong.
We went over right away and I could hardly beleive it! Khaki looked like a balloon animal. She was SO bloated. Like a cartoon character, really, she was so blown up. We had my vet out right away and after she looked Khaki over, ultrasounded, and medicated, I asked how long do we have to decide if it turns out this is surgical, and she said a few hours, so I was thinking it from the start because if you need the surgery, time is of the essence.
The vet was out two more times. The meds would make her feel okay, but wear off and she'd be trying to throw herself to the ground again. Even cropping grass as I was pulling her back up which is why I always tell people just because they will eat does NOT mean they are okay.
She had an impaction and was operated on something like 4am in the morning. However, they did not empty a part of her that they would normally do in big horses, but is not usually a good ide in most minis. However, Khaki needed it done, so operation #2 the next day. I nearly had a breakdown when the vet called to tell me they were going to have to open her again.
But, this was in July of 2003! She was not quite 1yo at that time. She recovered well and has yet to leave our property. I do not know if she'd have colicked here at our house, but I do know I would have a hard time turning over her care ever again. I just am really, really careful now with what she is allowed to eat. Hay must be soft, no sweet feed, etc.
The surgeon told me regarding the impaction, it was as if she had access to very coarse feed.
Two of my regular vets have told me I need to "treat her like a real horse" and the surgeon from the beginning told me this and told me he envisioned her doing whatever I originally intended, including driving, breeding and showing. It's only been the last 6mos or so that I really have started to plan to use her like a real horse and will be having her bred next year, to Destiny. For at least 1 year after surgery, I kept expecting her to colic again and to loose her.
Khaki was insured mortality / major medical, so her surgery was covered and if I remember right the colic cost the insurance company just over $5,000.
Here she is less than a month before surgery:
And here she is a month or so ago, taking it easy and being a real horse:
This forum helped me so much to cope with the emotions of Khaki being in the hospital. A lot has happened in my life since that time, but at that time, it really was the worst thing that had ever happened to "me"
(Khaki said yeah, it ranks at the top for her as well).
I have had it done one time on a buckskin show filly who thank God grew up to be a buckskin mare! My "Khaki" colicked badly at my trainers. I hadn't even seen her in a couple weeks. She'd gone to our state club's show and was Grand Champion and SO gorgeous. I was so proud of her.
Then I got a call one evening from the barn. They'd tried me probably half a dozen times, but I was outside driving one of my mares and Harvey was building a run in shed. I knew when I saw that many calls, something was bad wrong.
We went over right away and I could hardly beleive it! Khaki looked like a balloon animal. She was SO bloated. Like a cartoon character, really, she was so blown up. We had my vet out right away and after she looked Khaki over, ultrasounded, and medicated, I asked how long do we have to decide if it turns out this is surgical, and she said a few hours, so I was thinking it from the start because if you need the surgery, time is of the essence.
The vet was out two more times. The meds would make her feel okay, but wear off and she'd be trying to throw herself to the ground again. Even cropping grass as I was pulling her back up which is why I always tell people just because they will eat does NOT mean they are okay.
She had an impaction and was operated on something like 4am in the morning. However, they did not empty a part of her that they would normally do in big horses, but is not usually a good ide in most minis. However, Khaki needed it done, so operation #2 the next day. I nearly had a breakdown when the vet called to tell me they were going to have to open her again.
But, this was in July of 2003! She was not quite 1yo at that time. She recovered well and has yet to leave our property. I do not know if she'd have colicked here at our house, but I do know I would have a hard time turning over her care ever again. I just am really, really careful now with what she is allowed to eat. Hay must be soft, no sweet feed, etc.
The surgeon told me regarding the impaction, it was as if she had access to very coarse feed.
Two of my regular vets have told me I need to "treat her like a real horse" and the surgeon from the beginning told me this and told me he envisioned her doing whatever I originally intended, including driving, breeding and showing. It's only been the last 6mos or so that I really have started to plan to use her like a real horse and will be having her bred next year, to Destiny. For at least 1 year after surgery, I kept expecting her to colic again and to loose her.
Khaki was insured mortality / major medical, so her surgery was covered and if I remember right the colic cost the insurance company just over $5,000.
Here she is less than a month before surgery:
And here she is a month or so ago, taking it easy and being a real horse:
This forum helped me so much to cope with the emotions of Khaki being in the hospital. A lot has happened in my life since that time, but at that time, it really was the worst thing that had ever happened to "me"
(Khaki said yeah, it ranks at the top for her as well).
: respond!
