Hello all,
I don't post much on here anymore, but I needed some more opinions on this.
My one and only mare was born with Cleft Palate. I won't go into her life story, it is far too long. But I will say that she has the strongest will of any horse I have met, and to everyone's surprise, will be four on August 22nd.
Before winter set in with a vengence, Faith got seriously ill. She dropped almost her entire body weight in less then a day. I called the vet, and she came out and told me that it was probably a sand compaction. We live in a very sandy area, so I went with that. I began treating Faith for that, yet, she did not get better. I had to be by her side to get her to eat even a little bit. The vet had told me to bring her in for fluids if she did not recover with the treatment. That Friday, my mom and I loaded her up and began driving the fifteen minutes it takes to get to the vet. I knew in the back of my mind that Faith could not possible live much longer if she didn't get help. My mom called the vet on the way and originally the vet knew were going to be there after five o' clock because that is the time my mom gets off work. So, at first that was okay. But when my mom called the vet, the secretary told my mom that the office was closing and that we could not bring Faith in. Needless to say, we were extremely angry. We went back home and mom went on the internet. She found another vet in the area, and called them. They told us to bring her in, despite the fact that it was after 6 o' clock at this time almost.
We drove for a half an hour, and got there. Faith recieved wonderful care! I love that vet, and now take my other horses to her as well. Faith was in the hospital for two days. I hadn't slept a wink in nine. The vet never did determine the exact problem, although she did find that Faith had a heart murmer.
The vet thinks that her cleft palate is catching up to her. Her prognosis was guarded.
She was sent home with a specfic feed regime. I have stuck to it faithfully, and she gained the wieght back. She seemed happy again.
Today, Faith quit eating again. Took a few mouthfuls and walked away. I am going to go check on her in a few hours to see how much she finished. (It takes her that long to eat.)
Depending on how she is tomorrow...What do I do? I love Faith but I would hate if her quality of life isn't at its highest. I want her to have the best life possible. I have given her everything I can for the last three years.
I just don't know what to do...
Help?
I don't post much on here anymore, but I needed some more opinions on this.
My one and only mare was born with Cleft Palate. I won't go into her life story, it is far too long. But I will say that she has the strongest will of any horse I have met, and to everyone's surprise, will be four on August 22nd.
Before winter set in with a vengence, Faith got seriously ill. She dropped almost her entire body weight in less then a day. I called the vet, and she came out and told me that it was probably a sand compaction. We live in a very sandy area, so I went with that. I began treating Faith for that, yet, she did not get better. I had to be by her side to get her to eat even a little bit. The vet had told me to bring her in for fluids if she did not recover with the treatment. That Friday, my mom and I loaded her up and began driving the fifteen minutes it takes to get to the vet. I knew in the back of my mind that Faith could not possible live much longer if she didn't get help. My mom called the vet on the way and originally the vet knew were going to be there after five o' clock because that is the time my mom gets off work. So, at first that was okay. But when my mom called the vet, the secretary told my mom that the office was closing and that we could not bring Faith in. Needless to say, we were extremely angry. We went back home and mom went on the internet. She found another vet in the area, and called them. They told us to bring her in, despite the fact that it was after 6 o' clock at this time almost.
We drove for a half an hour, and got there. Faith recieved wonderful care! I love that vet, and now take my other horses to her as well. Faith was in the hospital for two days. I hadn't slept a wink in nine. The vet never did determine the exact problem, although she did find that Faith had a heart murmer.
The vet thinks that her cleft palate is catching up to her. Her prognosis was guarded.
She was sent home with a specfic feed regime. I have stuck to it faithfully, and she gained the wieght back. She seemed happy again.
Today, Faith quit eating again. Took a few mouthfuls and walked away. I am going to go check on her in a few hours to see how much she finished. (It takes her that long to eat.)
Depending on how she is tomorrow...What do I do? I love Faith but I would hate if her quality of life isn't at its highest. I want her to have the best life possible. I have given her everything I can for the last three years.
I just don't know what to do...
Help?