..another sick horse..

[SharynH]

Well, this is a long one. My boy Arnold (in my avatar) is very sick at the moment. Saturday am, hadn't eaten or drunk friday night in stable, has temp of 40.8. Mild colic symptoms - laying down, not rolling, no gut sounds, just looks uncomfortable. Drugs given. Sunday am, temp slightly lower, still no eating or drinking - more drugs. Yesterday I had to take him to vet hospital as he still hasn't eaten or drunk since, probably, Thurs/Friday. He was given 20ltr fluid via drip IV, and he was so good standing still for two hours while it was administered. Afterwards he looked brighter and peed!! At last. Nibbling grass. Stayed overnight but didn't eat or drink again, and no real change today. Blood tests didn't really shed too much light, just that he has a virus. I am worried, of course, but trying not to spend too much time thinking about it, otherwise I would probably completely freak out. Just seems that we have controlled his temperature etc, but he still won't eat or drink. I think this must be vaguely similar to the feeling of a parent of an anaeroxic. So frustrating. And this has only been days!
I have absolute faith in my vet, so I really, really hope I get some good news tomorrow. S

[Zephyr]

These things take a while, Sharyn. People forget that when they have a virus they can be out of action for a week or more feeling like crap, but when it comes to animals they start panicking if the animal isn't back to normal in 24hrs. I agree with horses we want to keep the gut moving, so inappetance is always a concern, but you've done the right things, and the best thing for him is to be at the hospital receiving fluids. One of mine picked up a virus at a comp once, and he wasn't himself for a good month. If someone could invent a workable antiviral drug they would make millions!

[SharynH]

Thank you, you are so right. We do expect drugs etc to do amazing things in record time. Unfortunately I am a very impatient person at the best of times - worse still when it is over a sick horse! I appreciate your reply, and confirming that we are doing the right thing- it means a lot.

[Zephyr]

No problems, it is twice as stressful when its your animal and they cant tell you whats wrong. I'm sure he'll pick up soon.

[Natasha]

Hi Sharyn,
Sorry to hear that you have a sickie on your hands - sometimes you just wish that they could tell you what's wrong don't you? Having on fluids is the best thing if he isn't keen on eating or drinking, unfortunately supportive care is all you can give in some cases that aren't giving you a lot of specific clues. If the bloods aren't showing raging infection or any other marked changes then that is a good thing, as it allows you to rule out a lot of the nastier diseases at least for the time being! It also gives you a good basis for comparison should things fail to change.
Good luck with him, and let us know how he gets on.

[SharynH]

Improvement!! Yay. This morning the vet told me that Arnold has improved somewhat. He actually ate and drank some last night and was eating grass this morning. What a relief - it has been a week. He wants to monitor him another 24hrs to be sure he doesn't get colic from the sudden shock of food in his belly. All going well, I should be picking him up tomorrow to come home.
Thanks for your support.

[Helen...]

Hi Sharyn,

What a relief!
Great to hear Arnold is getting and feeling better.

Fingers crossed he comes home soon :)

[mig]

Ahhh yay for Arnold :) What a relief!

[SharynH]

Brought Arnold home this morning. When I arrived he called out to me, and was keen to get on the float to go home. Once back in his paddock he went for a quick gallop around to let everyone know he was back. He is certainly feeling much better. Yes a massive relief.

[Helen...]

When I arrived he called out to me, and was keen to get on the float to go home

aww, thats so sweet. He must have really missed home!

Great to hear he is feeling better! By the sounds of it, he's definately one happy and content Arnold! :)

[ann]

He is certainly feeling much better.That's wonderful news, Sharyn!

[Jodi J]

Hi Sharyn,

Have been thinking about you and Arnold all week. So glad to here he is better and you have him home.