I was so hoping for a happy ending or at least some good news in all of this. Half of what you described was eerily familiar (although all my vets were like 'heart failure? pttph, not in an 11 yr old horse' and wasted time for awhile) but other things like the fever and regular EKG were not, so I hoped for something else ...
I suspect you've had to let go and lost horses before, but either way -- it always sucks and it's hard and you can't help but feel like you've failed them and that's just the way it is. It hurts because we DO care and because we HAVE done the best.
that's all I got. anything else would just be depressing crap, to be honest.
I admit I started reading some of Ally's tags today and there is some comfort in knowing someone has been here before. I am sorry for your loss as well, even if it has been years. I am sure it still hurts.
Before this we had Chewy abort a foal and lost another foal from the same reason: umbilical strangulation, freakish coinsidence. My mom lost a yearling and I was there when he was put down (broken neck) and she had a gelding put down too (ringbone). Zetahra is the first of the herd to be put to rest and she is the last one I expected too.
She is so tough. It's amazing that her bloodwork and EKG are normal. She's chugging away despite her heart failing her.
it was really horrible - I had put horses down before (my own included) but Ally was my heart horse, the first once I bonded to THAT tightly with -- and we'd already HAD years of medical issues and caring so so much about him and for his health. It was a while ago but there's still that sense of loss and .. ok ok reading the old entries STILL makes me cry. but depending how many you went through, there's a few entries in the year after as I slowly processed grief too
( ... )
It's interesting because I had hoped perhaps it was renal acidosis. I had remembered an article in Equus a couple years ago about it and remembered regular blood tests not showing anything, but not much else. I actually called them Friday and asked if they could run the test to check her blood ph, just in case (didn't hear on that result). I was disappointed when I finally found and reread the case report and it didn't match what was going on.
The aborted foals were sad for sure, but it was more sadness for the mare than myself, especially with Chewy as she called for it (she had six or so foals prior for others without issue).
I did, they were pretty crazy and at this point I have read all of the tags on Ally's death. I am sorry you had to go through so much with him and spent so long hoping. I don't like the answer I got, but it was a quick one. I am waiting for them to e-mail me all of Z's paperwork. You only remember so much when they are talking in your ear.
Oh, I am so very, very sorry to read this. No words can do justice to losing a family member, so I will leave it with letting you know I am thinking of you all, and holding Z in the light.
Thank you. We prayed for fast answers one way or another and that is what we have, for which I am grateful, even if it ia not the answer we had hoped for.
I'm so sorry :( This is the worst thing about owning animals; you have to face choices and goodbyes like this. I don't know what your personal beliefs are, but I've always believed it is almost, well, a sacred duty we take on when we take on the care of an animal. We need to care for them, give them what they need, and not be selfish when it comes time to make the right decision for them. It wont be easy, but it'll be the right thing.Much love to you.
Thank you. We have to take the the good with the bad, the joy with the sorrow. They ask so little of us and we ask so much of them, it is the very least we can do, I think.
I am so sorry, this must be beyond heartbreaking for you. I know it was for me when I lost Arya and she was a chinchilla... they become so much a part of you and your heart. :( *hugs*
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I was so hoping for a happy ending or at least some good news in all of this. Half of what you described was eerily familiar (although all my vets were like 'heart failure? pttph, not in an 11 yr old horse' and wasted time for awhile) but other things like the fever and regular EKG were not, so I hoped for something else ...
I suspect you've had to let go and lost horses before, but either way -- it always sucks and it's hard and you can't help but feel like you've failed them and that's just the way it is. It hurts because we DO care and because we HAVE done the best.
that's all I got. anything else would just be depressing crap, to be honest.
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Before this we had Chewy abort a foal and lost another foal from the same reason: umbilical strangulation, freakish coinsidence. My mom lost a yearling and I was there when he was put down (broken neck) and she had a gelding put down too (ringbone). Zetahra is the first of the herd to be put to rest and she is the last one I expected too.
She is so tough. It's amazing that her bloodwork and EKG are normal. She's chugging away despite her heart failing her.
Thank you again and for sharing your story too.
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The aborted foals were sad for sure, but it was more sadness for the mare than myself, especially with Chewy as she called for it (she had six or so foals prior for others without issue).
I did, they were pretty crazy and at this point I have read all of the tags on Ally's death. I am sorry you had to go through so much with him and spent so long hoping. I don't like the answer I got, but it was a quick one. I am waiting for them to e-mail me all of Z's paperwork. You only remember so much when they are talking in your ear.
And thank you, I may hit you up on that one.
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Peace to you and yours, dear heart.
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