Old Horse

[hankb]

My horse Dill is 26 and several years ago he injured his hip he now is in pain and dragging his back legs t get around. I brought the vet out to check him out and he suggested using bute to keep him comfortable. This helping howevr he still appears in pain andwith winter coming on I am afraid he will get even worse. I supplement with glucosemene and chronditrin for about a month and a haslf doesn't seem to be helping. Has lost a tremondous amount of muscle mass inthe hind end. Flanks are sucked in. Other then this is in good health. My ? is how do you know when it is time to relieve him of this. It makes me just feel terrible to see this. I know I can't make him a young horse again yet struggling with what it is the best for him. Any other ideas or is it time? Struggling in Iowa.

[blahblahblah]

Hey Im sorry about your old boy. i'm struggling on the same questian with my old mare. I'm can't really tell you since i cant see him, but i just wanted you to know that i know how you feel. i think your best bet is to be truthful and ask you vet about it. you don't want him to suffer but its hard. well i hope you can find a solution. best of luck to you.
:(

[hankb]

Thanks for the reply. I have spoke with the vet he believes he will make it trhu the winter. But, pasture is pretty hilly and stuggles walking with the bute. Just afraid of what the winter will bring. I know when it's cold bothers him more. I just don't want to keep him around for my selfishness. I have had him for 16 years.

[Chenay]

Hi there,

It is always a difficult decision to make when we should relieve our loved pets from their suffering.

Based on what you say, it sounds like his quality of life is quickly deteriorating and he has got to be uncomfortable.

I understand you want to try and give him a chance but bute can wind up tearing up their stomach and they can get colic from it if kept on it too long.

I would seriously consider letting him go.

I know it is painful and difficult, but even if he does make it through winter, I cant imagine it being a pleasant experience for him (or you seeing him uncomfortable).

He has had a long, great life.

Good luck to you and let us know what happens.

[WildHorseSpirit]

Sadly it sounds as if time has come for this grand old man.
To have to "drag" his back legs is an indication that he no longer can bear it.
I can't decide for you but hon he sounds like he is trying to tell you no more. To endure this through the winter is wrong for him and it could only worsen with the cold weather, if he was one of my herd I would gracefully let him go on and be restored fully over the Rainbow Bridge.

As to bute if low dose over a long time isn't as hard on them as a high dose over a long period of time.
My mare has been on and off bute for 3 years due to laminitis/founder, she is now only on it for her arthritic knee 1 gram in the am does her fine and she has had no issues.
Like with people some horses can tolerate it and some cannot.
This has been a debate for a long time and so far we have been lucky as we have other ways of helping our mare cope with minor pain.
If people would feed their horse first before giving bute it aids in not causing ulcers, as to kidney and other functions being hard on, well heck any medicine not natural to a body will be harsh LOL Heck my meds cause me issues LOL Okay I am old myself.:eek: I outted myself again LOL

Just edited as I remembered there is the alternative to bute, you can ask your vet about that, according to what I have heard it works better, less side effects but yep costs more. Could check and see if it helps before you make your decision.