The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread 11

[HairOfTheDog]

The FreeRepublic Saddle Club - (very out of date) Who's Who *pics*

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 MissTargets will now be pinging everyone most mornings. Let MissTargets 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.

Previous threads:

The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - thread ONE
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - Thread TWO!
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - Thread THREE!
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread FOUR
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread FIVE
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread SIX
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread SEVEN
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread EIGHT
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread NINE
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread TEN

New folk and occasional posters, jump right in and introduce yourselves, tell us about your horses, and post pictures if you've got them!

[HairOfTheDog]

Not really changing as the day's progressed... it's not getting bloodier.

[Beaker]

but if I take him in and they want to remove both eyes for $1200, I just can't justify that.

Well if they want to take out both eyes, they're crazy. The thing you do is put him down. (Don't mean to be harsh, just thinking of the quality of life for the animal.) And if they do want to take out the other eye, I wouldn't even consider the surgery because of his advanced age. At that point what I would do is take him home, keep him comfortable and then when the time comes, do what needs done. Would I be hearbroken? Yes. But would I put my cat through eye surgery if I was in your place? No.

[HairOfTheDog]

My horse vet does house calls, but he got out of the small animal business because he didn't like it.

Phooey, I don't know what to do, it's crappy gettin' old and fallin' apart. The thing is, I have an appt tomorrow already for the kittens... to get the annual boosters on their shots.

I'm thinking of taking a picture with me and talking to them about it, with all it's ramifications.

Well if they want to take out both eyes, they're crazy.

When we discussed it before, it was talked about if the eye became unhealthy, and/or if he lost blink reflex in it and injured it. Lots of things for him to poke it on, and he now has limited blink reflex in both eyes. The other eye looks better, but he can't see much, if anything out of it. He feels his way around, and much of his blink reflex comes from his whiskers.

[Slings and Arrows]

Kitty Ping to post #3413!

[Nachum]

It is miserable to put a pet down. Especially one that has been a part of your family for so long. There are no good answers here. Just make him comfortable and and enjoy his company till it is time.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I'm so sorry.

I know nothing about cats, eyes, glaucoma.

Becky

[perfect stranger]

I wouldn't be much help with this situation. When my 16yr old cat died he was starting to develop a cataract in his left eye. He went outside Friday night the first week of July last year and never came back.

[Beaker]

Being able to remove myself from the situation means that I can tell you that it would be a good idea to bring the picture. It would give you a better scope of what's in store, and what they want to do about it. But if I was IN your situation, I would be a worried mess, and wouldn't know what to do, even if I did know what should be done, so my heart really goes out to you. But, I also know what I would or wouldn't put my kitties or other animals through, as do you. It sucks. We're going to be in a position like this soon with one of the cats. He's umpteen years old and on his very very last legs.

[HairOfTheDog]

Thanks all for your responses!

It looks bad, but since I'm used to looking at the big grey lens, it probably looks worse to everyone else than it does to me.

At this point I think I will just take the kittens tomorrow, leave him at home, but bring a picture. If they think there's something vital that can be done, I'll make him his own appt.

[Titan Magroyne]

I agree it couldn't hurt at all to take in the pictures of him when you see the vet tomorrow. At least they can give you an idea of his suffering, if any.

I wouldn't subject such an old fellow to surgery, especially if he's already so insecure when picked up. Methods of pain relief & all the pettin he'll take, certainly.

Sorry Hair, not a vet but can empathise. Keep us apprised, OK?

Thanks to Slings for the ping.

[CindyDawg]

You have some hard decisions to make. I feel for you. Take the cat in though would be my advise. She may have an infection (bleeding). I was reading up on a thread on caring for blind cats. One of the things mentioned was bleeding from injury because they can't see. It was also recommended to limit lifting and to not move stuff around and to put on a harness when outside. Also, just a though, if tx too expensive you might check some vet schools and also ask for a discount for doing part of the care yourself, such as medicating and wound care.

[Slings and Arrows]

I'm sorry for your loss.

[perfect stranger]

Don't be sorry.

"Idiot" had a great life. It would take 5 sets of hands to count the number of prizes that he left on my doorstep over the years- and he took down his share of Bluejays plus.

I've said before, "if there is reincarnation I'd feel privileged to come back as my own cat."

[MissTargets]

Good Morning.

Nasty snow again!

Early appt today, catch you all later.

Have a good one!

[cjshapi]

Good morning. Looks like we're in for 3 more inches of snow in the next 24 hours. Blech!

Hair - sorry to hear about your cat. A friend had a similar situation with a barn cat some years ago. Money wasn't really a concern in this case but the vet found that there was more going on behind the scenes than just the eye. It was just a losing battle for the kitty. Hopefully things are different in your case, but you've got to remember all the good years you gave him.

Please keep up updated on the situation.

[lysie]

((HairOfTheDog))

Sorry to read this.

[Fawn]

You're asking the wrong person with me. I'd mortgage the house to prevent any suffering on my cats.

[Fawn]

Before I do any of that I want to know I absolutely have to, and that it would do him some good. He's not really hurting now.

I disagree. Cats hide their pain very well. The fact that he's ornery should prove to you he's in pain. I really don't understand how you can justify not taking him to a vet. I'd mortgage my house to prevent my pets from suffering.

[Fawn]

I guess I said that already though..

[CindyDawg]

There comes a time though when it's best to let them go.