[diabolicalpoison]

I have no idea what caused it but my horse is very wobbly and can hardly stand without falling over. He isn't drinking more than a swallow. He is eating but slightly reluctant to do so. Right now we have him in a sling so he won't fall over. We have him on bute. We have no idea what to do and we can't afford a vet. So if anyone has any ideas PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE contact me on here or on my email [email protected]

Thanks
Karlie

 

[justsambam08]

Get a vet out, or your horse will die, pretty simple.

if hes not eating or drinking and can barely stand, you need a vet, not the internet.

most vets will take payment plans.

 

[Indyhorse]

Sell your computer to pay the vet bill. You obviously have one since you're here.

You have a legal obligation to provide medical care for your animals. Otherwise it's neglect, plain and simple.

Call the vet and pawn your stuff.

 

[NorthernMama]

I know what it is like not having money for a vet, but this is SERIOUS. It could be any number of things. If you don't get a vet, I fear justsam is right. Even with a vet, your horse could be at risk. This could be the last part of shock from who-knows-what. If the who-knows-what isn't dealt with the shock won't go away and will be fatal even if the who-knows-what isn't.

I feel for you. Call your vet and see what they say. Maybe they will help you out if you have had a good relationship in the past with them.

 

[eventerdrew]

Find a vet that will let you have a payment plan. There is NO EXCUSE for letting your horse suffer without a vet. Sorry, I know what money issues are like, but this is a matter of life or death. What if your mom told you "sorry honey, we know you are dying of swine flu, but we can't take you to the doctor so you'll just have to stay in your bed until you die"

 

[themacpack]

Simply put, there is no way to advise you without saying, GET A VET OUT. I know you say you cannot afford it, but the fact is that you can't afford not to - more to the point, your horse can't afford not to have a vet.

 

[tealamutt]

This is neurological and one of the most serious conditions a horse can be in. You not only have the obligation to your animal, but depending on the cause, it could be important for other horse owners in the area to know about. At least call the vet. Many can help with payment plans or by getting you enrolled in Care Credit. Your horse will not recover without medical attention and at the very least you owe him a humane death as opposed to the lingering and suffering that WILL occur if he is not seen.

I know that things are very rough right now, your vet will understand too. Please, I know you care about your horse or you wouldn't be on here. You need medical attention for him, no matter what you have to do to get it.

 

[diabolicalpoison]

We called a vet this morning. My friend is going to pay for it and let me work it off. Thank You for the advice. I was TRYING to find a way to get a vet out already. So just sitting there telling me to get one wasn't helping much. and when I said no money I meant no one in the house has a job.. except me.. and my income is very low. So it iwas difficult to figure out how to go about it. Thanks For everything though.

 

[justsambam08]

Glad to hear that your horse is going to get whatever care it needs, but attitude is not apprectiated. You asked all of us for our opinions and advice, and we gave it to you. By indicating that you had no money for a vet, you KNEW thats what your horse needed. If you don't have the money to support your horse in the event of an emergency, like right now, don't have one. Horses are like children. My horse is my child. Just like eventerdrew said, I wouldn't expect a mom to tell their child to suck it up and hope for the best. I won't tell my horse that, either.

I make 700 dollars a month. 425 of that goes to board, 20 goes to my credit card bill, 70 goes to my cell phone, and around 100 is gas. The rest goes into my savings account for emercencies.

 

[diabolicalpoison]

Im sorry we normally DO take care of our animals and provide the needed vet care. It isn't my fault the economy went to crap and my dad lost his job. I was only looking for some way of helping him because I AM concerned about him. And I was hoping to maybe get some feedback that I could try to help him WITHOUT getting a gigantic vet bill. and OBVIOUSLY nobody is going to buy him and give him a home where he CAN be cared for because he is SICK. So Thanks for the help.

 

[diabolicalpoison]

Seriously everyone, I really cannot call a vet out..we are in a new place because of job loss. We do not know anyone, we have no vet that knows us well enough to trust us, they all want cash up front which I absolutely don't have. I cannot sell my computer..My dad has to have it for his college classes he is taking trying to make things better. we seriously have nothing else to sell, we are living in a 5th wheel at my grandparents. The horses are almost the only thing we have left. They have plenty of food, water and love. We have not had any problems until now and have owned them for 9 years. My mom just said, her gelding is not in any pain, we had someone out to look at him. His eyes are clear he is not swollen or hot anywhere, he is not shaking or hurting , his stomache is not distended. He is eating , we have given him hay,grain, and hot mash with molasses. He is drinking but not alot. He is pooping..He just does not seem to be able to use his back end like he should. We called around and have been told we are doing pretty much everything we can to be sure he is comfortable and taken care of as well as we can. My mom would Give ANYTHING to have the money to call out a vet, no vet in this area will come out with out cash up front because they do not know us. If we were still HOME we would not have this problem, so please don't rant and rave about abuse and neglect. We are doing everything we humanly can and we are already completely stressed out and my mom has been up all night with him. For those who were able to talk to me without attitude, thank you so much! I really really appreciate it.

 

[justsambam08]

I would suggest then finding a forum with large animal vets. They would be better able to assist you. This forum is for horse owners, so we are all going to give you the same response, more or less. Most of us don't have the technical experience to do more than basic first aid.

 

[tealamutt]

I don't think anyone was suggesting that you were abusing or neglecting, I know that I certainly wasn't. I hope you didn't take any responses that way. Rather, the symptoms you describe are a veterinary emergency and no amount of advice on an internet forum (especially one that is not for veterinarians) is going to be able to help.

We all screamed get the vet out because it is a dire situation (as I'm sure you know) and there is nothing that can be done without a vet's help. So that is why we were saying to get the vet, definitely NOT because we thought you were stupid or didn't realize that, just because we know there is nothing we can do to help you, you need a pro.

I really hope that you can work something out, it is a horribly helpless feeling when you can't afford the basics, let alone an emergency like this. i am very sorry for your situation and I truly hope you find a way to work it out.

Also, since you have other horses, I am concerned about figuring out what is causing his problems as it could be cause for concern for them. Can you tell me where you are, it might help narrow things down- you can PM me if you like. If you're not comfortable with that, understood.

 

[Indyhorse]

I'm afraid you wont like my advice, but here it is.

Call your local ASPCA and explain you have a veterinary emergency. You will likely be required to sign your horse over to the state, and relinquish ownership of the animal. However then he will receive the vet care he needs without financial aspects being a stumbling block.

As tealamutt said, your horse shows signs of a neurological problem. This is not like, worms or a little cold. There IS no at home treatment. We can't advise you to give him six carrots cut into quarters and he'll magically be all better. There is no other advice we can offer you from this kind of forum. This is way beyond what you can to do make him more comfortable. If the horse is having back end weakness and trouble staying on his feet, he frankly doesn't sound like he has long to live unless you put care of your horse in front of your own selfish needs - even if that means losing him, at least it will still be saving his life.

Now, depending on where you live, on RARE occasions the ASPCA will provide medical services WITHOUT making you sign over the horse, and work with you to pay it back, But in these times, I wouldn't count on it.

If you love your horse, do the right thing for him. Don't sit back and wait for him to die.

 

[Indyhorse]

By the way, I really apologize if I am coming across harshly, I honestly don't mean to. I understand how it is, heck everyone does right now. Times are hard. No one wants to be in a position to have to make really difficult decisions. But the important thing to remember is when you brought your horse home you were making a commitment to caring for his well-being, and sometimes that means sacrifice on your part. I feel for you, I do, and I'd never want to be in your shoes. I'm ultimately a practical person, and sometimes I phrase things a little too bluntly when I am thinking with my head instead of my heart. Again, I'm sorry if I come across harsh.

 

[Spastic_Dove]

Bullets are cheap.

Your putting your horse through unnecissary trauma because you can not afford to help him.

I understand not having money. My horse and dog generally eat before I do. But it is not an excuse. Either find a way to work out a payment plan or put him out of his misery the old fashioned way. There is no advice the internet can give you for this sort of information. Gigantic vet bills are a part of taking responsibility for an animals life. The option of turning your horse over to a rescue could work too if you can find a place that can help them.

 

[maura]

Your horse's condition is way too serious for anyone to make any recommendation other than what they did.

Sorry for your situation, but there is simply no home remedy for the condition you describe; it's not like someone was holding out on a possible diagnosis and treatment out of spite.

Hope it works out for you, both for the horse and the vet and the financial situation.

 

[eventerdrew]

Sorry if I came off as rude. I am just really concerned about your horse. A horse I was going to buy was in the exact situation your horse was in... wobbling, falling over, had to be put in a sling... Ended up she had a serious neurological problem and she had to be put down because she would never fully recover. I just hate to think what would have happened if we hadn't called the vet. She would have suffered tremendously.

Just so you know where I'm coming from....

Anyway, sorry to hear about your horse and I really hope you find a solution asap.

 

[My Beau]

I was going to suggest bullets also, but spastic dove beat me to it.

Seriously, if he's as bad as you say he is and you can't afford a vet to check him or euth him, that's as humane as you can get.

I would suggest selling some horses until your family is back on it's feet.

 

[my2geldings]

I really don't like liars. In the second post you put up, you said you called a vet, then in the next post, you said you didn't call and can't call a vet??? so did you call a vet or did you not? because your posts are contradicting each other.