[ilovestitch]

I agree as well ^^^^

You can say you love your horses until your blue in the face but sometimes love just isnt enough and if you do truely love them and are unselfish about it you have to do what is right for them and not what is right for you.

 

[kevinshorses]

Regardless of money or lack there of, I would probably put the horse down before I would sling it. I definately would put it down if I couldn't call the vet out to look at it. I had a yearling filly that slipped in a wet pen and couldn't get up. I called the vet and he came out and gave her an IV fluids and a steroidal anti-inflamatory. He then gave me more of it to give her everyday. She was small enough so that I could help her up a little but just barely. If I had not been able to get her to stand every day I would have shot her. In fact I brought a loaded pistol with me every day expecting to do just that. I was very happy that I didn't have to kill her and I was able to sell her to a nice family as a two year old.

 

[Jillyann]

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.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.

So you have had your horses for 9+ years, and never had the vet out once??? Im sorry but thats TERRIBLE ownership on who ever owns the horses!. :shock::-x:-x:-x:-x:-x:-x

 

[kevinshorses]

So you have had your horses for 9+ years, and never had the vet out once??? Im sorry but thats TERRIBLE ownership on who ever owns the horses!. :shock::-x:-x:-x:-x:-x:-x

If they have never been hurt and the owner gives vacs and dewormer why should you pay to have the vet come out. I only take a horse to the vet for injuries that can't be treated at home or for gelding. I haven't had to go to the vet in a few years now and I hope to go a few more.

This person is probably a troll and we should just ignore this thread.

 

[Lis]

She did say they've just moved to a new area so haven't had chance to get to know the vets in the area.

It could possibly be a stroke if he had couldn't stand up and now is struggling with his back end. I have to agree with the others if you can't afford the vet or can't get a payment plan worked out then you need to end his suffering.

 

[Jillyann]

If they have never been hurt and the owner gives vacs and dewormer why should you pay to have the vet come out. I only take a horse to the vet for injuries that can't be treated at home or for gelding. I haven't had to go to the vet in a few years now and I hope to go a few more.

This person is probably a troll and we should just ignore this thread.

True. I understand what you mean, but shouldnt you atleast have a few vets numbers on hand? No matter if she just moved or not, she could call her old vet and talk to them about what to do next.

I just find that rather disturbing that someone is not willing to have a vet out if there horse is not eating or drinking, and can barely stand and is shaking. There is no excuses for not at LEAST calling a vet.

 

[JustDressageIt]

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.

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.

Agreed, 100%.

 

[nrhareiner]

Truthfully it sounds like the neurological form if EVA 1. It if is there is very little that can be done. You give supportive care and hope for the best. I hope I am wrong but that is what it sounds like. There has been several out brakes around here over the years and the largest one was at Findlay Unv and they had it bad.

 

[nrhareiner]

If they have never been hurt and the owner gives vacs and dewormer why should you pay to have the vet come out. I only take a horse to the vet for injuries that can't be treated at home or for gelding. I haven't had to go to the vet in a few years now and I hope to go a few more.

This person is probably a troll and we should just ignore this thread.

I agree if it was not that my vet uses my services I would rarely see her. I do all my own vac. de worming and all my own AI work along with AI work for others. Even my vet has sent her mares here. So I do not find it at all odd that someone has not used a vet for a time. Except of you need coggins or something like that. I even pull my own blood if I need work done out side of a Coggins test.

 

[sillysally]

If you are employed (I think that's what you said) you can check with your employer about advances or loans--ours does interest free loans for the amount of our bi-weekly pay. Also, some pawn shops allow you to put up a valuable object as collateral for a loan. You also might be able to get a "payday loan" from one of those check cashing places. If you guys can't afford to treat the horse, then at least do the kindness of putting him down....

Good luck.....

 

[NorthernMama]

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.

I'm a bit confused too now as to whether or not you managed to call a vet, but regardless what is your horse's situation now? I know people are jumping all over you for not having enough money, not knowing a vet, blah, blah, blah... I'm not trying to judge you or the situation you are in, I'm just wondering how you guys made out.

 

[heyycutter]

you should really shoot him, like everyone else said, its a cheap way to humanely distroy him, and its much kinder then letting him suffer.
i have 2 horses that i pay for my self, and i am 18 and i work 2 going on 3 jobs to pay for them. horses are hard to afford, but if you cant pay for the vet care, you really should think about selling some of your horses. thatd help you out, im sure

 

[luvs2ride1979]

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

Try some IV Banemine (sp?).

Call your vet. Tell him/her that it's an emergency situation. Ask if they'll take credit card or if you can pay it off. Most vets won't have a problem with payment plans if you are normally a good customer that pays your bills.

If you do not or cannot get the vet out and the horse's condition deteriorates, then find a good gun and put the horse out of its misery.

 

[luvs2ride1979]

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.

Well, let us know how it goes.

Also, I know horses can be a stress reliever, but this issue has got to show you and your family that having them can also cause stress. You should consider selling them or giving them away to a friend until your family gets back on their feet. Having just one horse can be a serious financial burdon, even for those with employment.

 

[mom2pride]

Honestly, Without seeing the animal, and watching him move, no one on this forum can even really advise you in what to do, other than keep trying to find a vet who would be willing to work with you.

Maybe have your friend (who was going to pay for his bill) haul him to your old vet? not sure how far you are away from where you lived, but it would be better than nothing, and atleast you'd have someone who was willing to work with you, helping you.

 

[tealamutt]

This person is probably a troll and we should just ignore this thread.

I think kevin is right on this one.

 

[Ryle]

Unfortunately neurological conditions can be caused by so many things that there really isn't much that you can do without an actual diagnosis other than provide good supportive care. Bute is likely doing little to nothing depending on what is causing the neurological symptoms. Banamine is a better choice for anti-inflammatory for neurogolical disease. Chewing is likely hard, so rather than feeding hay a good complete feed such as Equine Senior which can be softened easily would be a good choice to help meet nutrtional requirements. Insuring adequate water intake is very very important if you don't want to end up with an impaction colic on top of whatever is going on.
Has your horse had any fever, nasal discharge, coughing, etc prior to the onset of neurological symptoms? Do you have other horses on the property? Have you been taking horses on and off the property? When was this horse last vaccinated? Has he had any injuries in the last month?

You need to be very very aware that Rabies is one of the diseases you have to worry about when you see neurological symptoms in a horse. It's not as common as in dogs or cats, but it does occur and people can be exposed by ill horses.

Bottom line really is that without a vet it's unlikely that your horse is going to improve. It's time to make a choice and either put your horse down or do whatever is necessary to get a vet out for an exam.

 

[iridehorses]

I'm closing this thread due to several contradictions by the OP.