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Post by res on Dec 3, 2014 13:10:35 GMT -5
The vet will be here at 3pm Eastern time. Pretty sure today is the day we will be letting Rascal, my oldest gelding, cross the bridge. We'll see what the vet says, but it is not fair to Rascal to put him through an tube - oil - Banamine - wait and see colic treatment.
I am a lot calmer than I thought I would be, but I am not sure I will stay calm when the vet gets here.
And I still need to find someone to dig a hole.
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Post by snelson on Dec 3, 2014 13:22:57 GMT -5
I am so sorry. That is such a tough decision but in your heart you know what is best for Rascal. We just had to put a good girl down at the barn this last week for the same thing. She was 30 years old and the vet said..."as they get older the risk for colic just gets higher". The BM decided that it was more humane to let her go rather than get her comfortable again and have her colic again in the middle of winter.
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Post by Idaho Linda on Dec 3, 2014 13:30:35 GMT -5
Hugs, it is never easy, but it is the right thing to do.
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Post by res on Dec 3, 2014 14:59:24 GMT -5
Vet just left, he got here a lot earlier than he thought he would. Temp - pulse - resp - gut sounds WNL. Vet agreed and encouraged me that I am making the right decision. Logistically, though, we couldn't euth today because all the rain means that the backhoe cannot get to where the hole needs to be dug. So Rascal is scheduled to cross the bridge at 1pm on Wednesday.
Thank you all for the encouragement, support, thoughts, prayers and hugs.
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Post by Jenni on Dec 3, 2014 15:02:10 GMT -5
Now you have an extra day to spoil him before he goes. It is the right thing to do.
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Post by DorothyB on Dec 3, 2014 17:12:31 GMT -5
I'm sorry - but agree that it is likely the right thing to do.
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Post by ride4fun on Dec 4, 2014 11:41:17 GMT -5
(((HUGS)))
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Post by kerryc on Dec 4, 2014 15:53:35 GMT -5
((((HUGS)))) from me too
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Post by Trailpal on Dec 4, 2014 17:01:14 GMT -5
Sorry about your news. It's a hard but necessary thing.
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Post by Marci on Dec 6, 2014 1:30:10 GMT -5
(((((((HUGS))))))) So sorry. The final kindness, but really tough on us.
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Post by rhapsody on Dec 6, 2014 14:32:21 GMT -5
So sorry, res . . . *hugs*
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Post by MJ on Dec 10, 2014 9:18:29 GMT -5
(((HUGS)))) - It's never easy but you are doing the right thing.
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Post by res on Dec 11, 2014 12:32:59 GMT -5
I couldn't go through with it.
Rascal had another episode starting Monday morning where he didn't want to eat, but he didn't seem uncomfortable at all. He went 2 days without eating, and then, BOOM! was 100% back to normal and devouring every bit of food he was given Wednesday morning.
I do not understand what could be wrong.
But his good days are still so darn good, I just can't go through with putting him down just yet. I know the time is fast approaching, especially since he has had 2 episodes in the last week.
I know I am setting myself up for disaster, if he were to go down on a bad weather day or holiday and no one could come out... But I just cannot look into his bright, happy eyes, with his head held high and whinnying for his food, on a good day, and say, "today is your day to die".
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Post by cody on Dec 13, 2014 7:51:12 GMT -5
Res, don't be sorry to us, we all understand the dilemma. Shadow is 35 and had this weird episode about 3 weeks ago where I thought "omg tonight is the night I am going to lose my beloved boy". Little bit of Banamine and me freezing in the barn for 3+ hours in 5 degree weather and he was just fine again. His appetite comes and goes and is a constantly changing guessing game about what feed he wants to eat and how (which one, mixed or not mixed, in what container, Etc) but .... He hasn't let me know it's time yet. His good days are good, his eyes are bright, his butts rounding out again with some gained weight, he neighs to me about how hungry he is and where is his sweet corn treat. I drive 12 miles out of my way on my way home from work to feed him 4-5 days a week even though I pay for full care board, I am up there at least one day of the weekend too (44 mile round trip) , I'm in constant contact with the BO about how he likes his feed "served" for the day, I often am texting/ sending pics to lil dot for a second opinion (who else can be excited as you about a rounded out horse butt? Lol) When I look in the eyes of my best friend of 33 years (xmas present when I was 10 and he was 2), all the extra worry, time and money I am spending is well worth it. I know his day will come and my heart will be broken.... But it's not today .... so I will smile, tell him I love him, kiss that velvet nose and be blessed I had another day with my beloved horse. Do the same res......
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Post by Jenni nli on Dec 14, 2014 23:28:05 GMT -5
Res, you WILL know when it is the right time, obviously it's not right now. You will look inti his eyes and know. You will hug him and tell him it is OK and you will make the call.
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