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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

Can't sleep, having my lovely young mare PTS in the morning :(

27 replies

Wearegoingtobedlehem · 27/12/2012 23:14

I am so gutted. We have had a 7 month battle with chronic grass sickness. She had been coming on leaps and bounds, but over Christmas day and boxing day has had the most horrendous relapse, it really is an evil disease.
So so sad

OP posts:
Northernlebkuchen · 27/12/2012 23:17

Well if you've tried all you can and you've come to the end of the road with that then you are doing the best and kindest thing for her. Doesn't make it any easier of course.

VicarInaTutuDrankSantasSherry · 27/12/2012 23:18

Sad so sorry. must be a very hard decision.

Original poster
Wearegoingtobedlehem · 27/12/2012 23:26

Thank you both. I'll probably waffle but feel the need to explain my actions Sad
She stopped eating Xmas day, and still has not eaten now, she has reverted back to the racing greyhound characteristic shape ( where has the £2k worth of hard feed over the last 7months gone almost overnight!). She appears to be choking, if she drinks some comes back down her nose Sad
Bloods taken today reveal a nearly non existent white blood count indicative of infection. She last had a 10 day course of antibiotics a month ago, so consequently this indicates that there is some sort of physiological damage from the GS in her upper digestive tract that is now causing recurrent infections. Gutted - both me and the vet thought we were winning, she had been such a brave fighter, but she has now given up , bless her, she did try.

OP posts:
AlmostAHipster · 27/12/2012 23:28

Poor old thing. I'm so sorry that this has happened x

Northernlebkuchen · 27/12/2012 23:29

Ok well sounds like her immune system has packed up and if you leave her beyond tomorrow you would be leaving her vulnerable to horrendous infection and suffering. You're making the right choice.

VicarInaTutuDrankSantasSherry · 27/12/2012 23:32

you are clearly doing this out of love and for the welfare of your horse. If your vet thinks this is the right thing to do then i dont see what else you can do. She sounds like she has been suffering. so sorry.x

CooEeeEldridge · 27/12/2012 23:32

You poor, poor thing. Well done for trying your hardest, you're doing the right thing tomorrow. Horrid decision, but ultimately kinder X

Loshad · 27/12/2012 23:38

lots of unsuitable hugs, you know you are doing the right thing, unspeakably hard for you though

Original poster
Wearegoingtobedlehem · 27/12/2012 23:59

Thank you all, it's a long time since I've had one of my own pts, and I guess I am finding it really hard as she is the one I kept ( sold the two others) when I had my girls, and I lost my beloved dog only 9 weeks ago. Sad

OP posts:
Frangipan1979 · 28/12/2012 09:37

So sorry to hear this. Sounds like you are doing the right thing and what's best for your horse but I can imagine it's still so difficult. Thinking of you today

ArthurPewty · 28/12/2012 09:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DolomitesDonkey · 28/12/2012 13:30

I had my mare PTS in August and it was a really hard day - and even now I still think poor girl. But, there was nothing I could do. I couldn't make it better.

I tell myself that I've done the right thing by her because she wasn't ever going to get better. You are doing the responsible thing.

Sorry to be graphic, but will you be "making sure the deed is done"? I stayed (my husband was with her the whole time) and I needed to see the body because you hear so many nightmare tales about them being shipped live. :( I don't know if it's given me extra closure, but I know I did the right thing and saw it through to the very end.

Mirage · 28/12/2012 13:52

Oh no! I am so sorry.You have done absolutely everything for her and you are now doing the very kindest thing you can.I know this doesn't make it any easier though.I hope she goes peacefully.x

Original poster
Wearegoingtobedlehem · 28/12/2012 14:44

Hi all, thanks for your support. I stayed with her until the end (injection by vet), and bless her, she confirmed it was the right thing. As soon as she was sedated pus started pouring out of her mouth and nose. We're not certain but we think her oesophagus my have ruptured and was certainly heavily infected.
Grass sickness is a terribly vile disease, please do take a few minutes to acquaint yourselves with the basic information.
RIP Whin, you were a very brave horse x

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 28/12/2012 15:26

So sorry for your loss. I know what you are going through as I've been with four of my own when they were PTS , we also had them done by injection ,I couldn't have possibly had them shot , it always seemed painless for them .

VicarInaTutuDrankSantasSherry · 28/12/2012 17:25

weare so sorry. You definitely did the kindest thing by the sound of it. much love. x

itsthawooluff · 28/12/2012 17:34

I know how hard a decision like that can be,but you were absolutely right to make it. Poor girl, and poor you. I know it's little comfort but you did try your best to help her, and that's all anyone can do.

frostyfingers · 28/12/2012 18:41

Im so sorry, it's a horrid thing to have to do, no matter how right the reasons. You've done the kindest thing. I had my old man pts 18 months ago and it took me a good few weeks to stop crying or welling up at the smallest thing.

AlmostAHipster · 28/12/2012 18:50

You've been very brave and shown your girl how much you love her. I'm so sorry for your loss.

CatPussRoastingOnAnOpenFire · 28/12/2012 20:06

Its not fun! But you obviously did what was best for her. She was suffering, and is now free of pain. You did a good thing. x

basildonbond · 28/12/2012 20:43

how sad for you both - it can't have been an easy decision but sounds like it was absolutely the right one

SingingTunelessly · 28/12/2012 21:47

Am so sorry. Sad. I stayed with two of mine over the past few years and it isn't easy I know. Be prepared for a few unexpected sobs and 'take you by surprise' crying episodes over the next few weeks. Usually when someone kindly asks how you are. Take care.

TwoFacedCows · 28/12/2012 21:50

bless you and your girl. i am so sorry for you.

SrirachaGirl · 28/12/2012 21:59

I'm so, so sorry about your horse and your dog Sad. Take care X.

Plomino · 28/12/2012 22:11

Oh I'm so so sorry . I lost my first pony two years ago , having had her for over thirty years , and I thought of her today whilst nailing one of the horseshoes we had our farrier neighbour take off her after she was pts , onto the gable of our new stable yard as a good luck charm . She would have loved her new stable too.

As I said to my DS on that dreadful day , we do what we have to do, BECAUSE we love them, not because we don't .

So sorry for your loss x