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Thread Four: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1332664/posts |
Posted on 12/30/2004 7:01:16 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
Free Republic has a lot of horse people that have found each other on other threads . And since we all like to talk horses, how about a thread where it is not off-topic, but is THE topic?
This is a horse chat thread where we share ideas, ask for input from other horsemen, and talk about our riding and horse-keeping. We have a lot of different kinds of riders and horses, and a lot to share. In the previous threads we have had a great time talking through lessons, training, horse lamenesses, illnesses and pregnancies... and always sharing pictures and stories.
I always have a link to this thread on my profile page, so if you have something to say and can't find the thread in latest posts look for it there and wake the thread up!
I also have a ping list for horse threads that are of interest, and Becky pings everyone most mornings. Let Becky (Paynoattentionmanbehindthecurtain) and/or me know if you would like to be on the ping list. As FreeRepublic is a political site, our politics and other issues will probably blend in . There are many issues for horsemen that touch politics land use, animal rights/abuse cases that make the news . Legislation that might affect horse owners.
So... like the previous threads, this is intended as fun place to come and share stories, pictures, questions and chit-chat, unguided and unmoderated and that we come together here as friends. There are lots of ways of doing things and we all have our quirks, tricks and specialties that are neat to learn about.
Cool! I'm sure that a vet can write a 'scrip for them even if they don't keep them around the clinic. Good information. Thanks!
Very interesting!
So is your old pony! Are you doing the treatment for the Cushings also? Has it been successful? I attended at friend's Cushings horse when he was put down. He was beginning to founder. The treatments hadn't really been working. I don't think my friend thought he would ever recover. And yet, it sounds like you've been through this a few times!
Unfortunately yes, I have more experience with this than I ever wanted. The pony is between 25 and 30 and no, I haven't started him on the pergolide just yet. He really doesn't appear to be sick at all, except for his long, furry coat year 'round and the founder problem. I body clip him in summer and try to manage the founder the best I can. I'll start pergolide if he starts to really get sick but he will eventually have to be put down.
You are more than welcome.
I was thinking by mouth medication but that's directly to the area. I'm going to pick some up to keep on hand. I bet you could use the ointment too if as you say, you don't touch it. You know the side effect of that stuff id a headache though don't you? :')
By the way, the nitro comes in a tube and you have to put it on a piece of fabric, bandage, whatever, then bandage it up to keep it there. That's why you need to use gloves, it's easy to get it on yourself.
You know, I never really knew what it would do if I got it on myself, I was afraid I'd have a heart attack or something.
I just took my friend's word for it when she said to wear gloves.
Isn't the medication recommended to start at first signs? I thought it was a preventative. I did hear it's expensive.
Of course I fear Cushings in Bay, just because he's old and keeps getting older. Every time he gets a heavy coat for winter, I pray for spring and that it will shed.
What other symptoms are there of the disease? Other than the long coat (is yours curly?), body type changes and foundering, I really don't know. My friend's horse began to founder and that was as far as it got. It was a special moment for me to be able to be there for him. My friend didn't want to see it, and I told him "Somebody who cares about him should be with him, but it doesn't have to be you." He scheduled it, went away for the weekend and I took care of it for him with the vet. I am really glad I did. It prepared me for what to expect in Bay. I would now feel very good being there for him when he is put down, though I do not want to see his disposal whether it be by truck (which is what happened in my friend's case) or by burial. I'd rather leave for that. No dignified way to move an animal that big.
Interesting, and I'd like to know more... if opening the blood vessels is what's desired, why do they pack their feet in ice or stand them in cold rivers? I think there is a very specific time for cold right away, and perhaps after that period increased blood flow is helpful again. But I think you'd have to know when... any thoughts?
Is nitro, either in patch form or cream, something you can buy OTC or do you have to have a prescription?
I meant a horse headache :")
I think you can start the pergolide at any time. It is very expensive and usually used when the animals start to get really sick. Other symptoms are excessive thirst and urination, a pot-bellied appearance and of course, the long, curly coat even in summer. George's coat isn't that curly but it is wavy. I'm thinking that they can have bad breath, too, and George does. His breath could nauseate a grizzly bear.
That is nice that you were with your friends horse when he was put down. I've done that myself for a friend. It is kinda gross when they move them and I don't usually watch that part.
My friend's was very curly... and impossible to brush through, it was so curled and course.
When a horse is getting ready to founder, they have alot of heat in their feet. Maybe that's when you should put them in the cold water. Perhaps when it's a full blown founder is when you use the nitro. I'm just guessing on all this, I need to look it up to be sure. If you can get a copy of Adam's Lameness In Horses by Ted Stashak, I highly recommend it. I got a vet dictionary when I bought it because it's really technical but it's the definitive book on horse lameness. I bought mine used from Amazon and saved a little money.
By the way, the nitro patch can only stay on for so many hours, I think it was 12 but I'm not sure. I know I accidently left George's on longer with no ill effects.
LOL I'm slow this morning.
The nitro is a cream in a tube and I'm betting you have to have a script.
It's a prescription. Ointment, patch or sublingual pill. I would think a patch would be difficult to put on a hairy animal plus you have to activate it with pressure and you would have to get the pill under their tongue and let it melt:') By pick up I meant the next time I'm in Mexico I'm going to see if it's legal to bring it across as a vet med.
Yeah - without my vet telling me step by step what to do, I'd be at a loss. I think I'll read through my vet books on the subject so I know more too.
Ok, here's what Adam's Lameness says:
Nitroglycerin ointment applied topically to the pastern region subjectively reduced bounding pulses and lameness in ponies. 2% glycerly trinitrate ointment (GTN) was applied once daily to the pasterns (clip hair) as a patch; each aliquot (1 inch bead) of paste was positioned over the digital vessels and secured in place with elastic adhesive tape. GTN was administered at an initial dose of 60 mg for 2 days. If the blood pressure decreased and the lameness improved, it was reduced to 40 mg for 2 days and then to 20 mg for an additional 2 days. Because GTN ointment is readily absorbed through the skin, it is advisable to use rubber gloves when applying it. At the time of this writing, GTN is being used routinely in clinical cases, but usually in conjuction with other treatments; therefore, accurate assessment of therapeutic effects are not clear.
Ok, this is me talking. The only thing I did with George was the nitro patch and IV Banamine.
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