| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Razee |
Posted - 09/06/2013 : 11:00:56
I know this is a non reptile, but just needed to have a bit of a moan.
I'm spending all my time at the field - around 6 hours every day, split into 3 times a day ( + working, thank God only part time ) - as my poor young horse Socks is recovering from an operation.
He had a huge tumor in his shoulder - started as a tiny, hard lump this winter - it was just there, didn't hurt, he wasn't lame at all - but it worried me, as I was convinced it was growing on a bone. My vet said it was nothing to worry about, he probably just knocked himself and it will go away, but if it grows, to let him know.
Well, it suddenly started growing, and fast, couple of months ago. Then he started biting at it.
So he went to hospital, where they found out it was a tumor, had an operation to remove it, and with it part of the muscle
Fortunately it didn't involve bone at all, but I was told he would be lame for a while, as missing part of the muscle, so no breaking him in this summer.
He came back from hospital almost 2 weeks ago, he has to be stabled, so I have to stable my old mare as well, to stop him attempting to jump out, and to keep him quiet. Until now, he wasn't lame at all, bless him, he IS very tough, when it comes to pain. Braver than me, that's for sure.
He got worse after several days at home, the shoulder was swelling, and he had to have another mini operation, to insert another drain. I have to clean it twice a day, and look after his skin, where the discharge comes out ( sorry if you're eating ). I had to move the drain around as well, which is obviously painful for him.
He was on antibiotics and bute, he has now some of the stitches out, but it still keeps swelling, and I'm afraid it will burst through the scar
Needles to say, had the vet couple of times a week, more to keep me from going mad 
So it's now one mad dash of horses early in the morning, work, horses again, and then couple more hours horses in the evening. They don't make it easy, plotting naughtiness all the time.
My old girl spends a lot of time, conscienciously working all her poo right through her bed, and the little chap amuses himself by regularly flooding his and her stable by tipping the water bucket, no matter how well fixed, or put in tyres.
I gave them various boredom breakers, but Socks is way too clever, and what's supposed to last him for ages, lasts him less then 12 hours.
I'm knackered, and really down, because it just doesn't seem to be getting better. He used to be so nice to handle, now is becoming weary as I'm causing him pain all the time...
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| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Razee |
Posted - 16/06/2013 : 17:52:06
Weee!
You can see the swelling here a bit, but all the stitches are out.
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| Razee |
Posted - 16/06/2013 : 17:46:24
How did you know lupi lou? Both came back plastered with mud and looking totally smug.. it's not like there's that much mud around, either, they must have tried really hard :-) |
| lupi lou |
Posted - 16/06/2013 : 17:29:22
Fab news, glad it when well. Am sure he'll make up for lost rolling time by getting as dirty as possible ;-) |
| ozziesmum |
Posted - 16/06/2013 : 12:33:22
Ah that's brilliant news Petra and well done Socks, hopefully you can stop worrying quite so much now, chill out and have some you time now that the hard bit is over and done with. |
| Razee |
Posted - 16/06/2013 : 12:17:22
Hooray - went well yesterday. Socks couldn't decide, whether to gallop, rear or buck, so tried to do all of it at once. The result was mainly bouncing on the spot, and some magnificent "airs above the ground", then he ate, then bounced some more, then ate ...etc. Lucy just trotted couple of meters, and got down to the serious and most important business of - eating.
They went out for the afternoon - and there was no problem of them coming back in in the evening- just called them, and they each went into their stable...was quite surprised :-)
They're out again this morning, but the weather's bad, so left the stables open. They both rolled and rolled, so will probably be muddy, when they come back... :-)
Wanted to upload some pics - but photobucket is playing up Grrr. Will try later. |
| smart bunny |
Posted - 15/06/2013 : 08:55:02
Yay :D Good luck on his first outing ;) |
| ozziesmum |
Posted - 14/06/2013 : 19:21:44
That's brilliant news, and try not to worry too much on his first day out he bound to get a bit excited but after a couple of weeks of stable rest he should soon run out of steam, just leave his head collar on for chance he doesn't want to come back in  |
| lupi lou |
Posted - 14/06/2013 : 18:58:17
That's great news, one of the methods we used is ensure they are hungry before turning them out so they are more interested in the grass not that it always works. Best bet would be a good glug of whisky then close your eyes and hope for the best! Hope it all goes well and that he doesn't get too excited |
| Razee |
Posted - 14/06/2013 : 17:35:43
Ok - just came back - all the stitches are out, Socks was a very good boy, no sedative this time. The vet said the swelling will hopefully go on it's own, and he can start going out a bit now! He also said to get some valium ( for me, that is ), and not to stay too long to watch, when they go out for the first time! :-)
I need to re do the electric fencing first, so that they have small area, but with plenty of grass to tempt him to eat, rather than dash madly around, so won't be going out today. I took him out for a little graze in hand - and was treated to a magnificent rearing display, so definitely won't be watching, when he's let out properly for the first time :-)
Just wanted to say thank you everyone for your advice and support, it most probably stopped me from going mad!
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| Razee |
Posted - 14/06/2013 : 08:30:54
Thanks, everyone, and also for all the tips, Socks finds them very useful :-)
The swelling's a bit worse now, it's smaller, but more defined and very, very hard an hot, and he doesn't like me touching the whole area... I know it doesn't look too big in the pic, but there's normally a large depression in his chest, where they've taken the muscle ( and the tumor ) out... having vet again today, so just have to wait what he says, an when I can start letting them out. Sod's law, the weather is supposed to be bad... The drain is out now, and the rest of the stitches are supposed to come out, too.
He's getting used to being in, but is very mouthy, tries to chew the wood, or even the concrete walls - despite having hay, toys, etc. I really hope he doesn't start crib biting, after evereything else ( feeling nice and positive here ... )
Need more chocolate!!!
Lupi lou, you're right about them causing more worry, and yes, good job he's pretty :-)
Off to the field again ( late :-0 ) |
| smart bunny |
Posted - 13/06/2013 : 09:54:18
Awww good luck for tomorrow, hope he has the stitches out OK. How long is he going to be 'stuck indoors' for do you know? Loads of great ideas for keeping him stimulated though :D
Also, a quick note to Ozziesmum - glad to hear you are doing OK, I have been thinking about you, but didn't want to post up a thread asking how you were! I hope all goes well with your treatment xx |
| lupi lou |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 22:15:57
That doesn't look too bad actually, I was expecting it to be much more swollen, hope it's all smooth sailing for you both now, blooming horses eh think they cause more worry that the snakes!! Good job they are pretty! |
| mjpeters |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 22:00:30
Hi razee-the pic reminds me of when our mastiff boy had an argument with a barb wire fence  We used 'Manuka Honey'its fierce expensive (£10 a jar for 10%potency)BUT it is antibacterial and promotes healing.
Glad you found the'choklit'as our little Ruby calls it I'm a firm believer that choklit IS good for the soul
With all those enrichment ideas I think he'll never want to leave his cosy stable-maybe room for an mj? |
| ozziesmum |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 19:20:28
That's looking nice and clean and the drain has clearly done it's job.
If you cover the incisions with clear natural honey until it's all healed you won't get a scar and the hair won't grow through white. |
| Razee |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 18:43:13
Ha - I like the apple bobbing, too ! Off to the field again.... |
| Razee |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 18:39:01
He seems slightly less swollen ( and full of himself, as usual :-) ). Haven't done any T touch yet - it's always a rush in the mornings and mid day - but he's had some lovely, very long grass mixed in with his hay, which he loved.
I like the idea of the swede in haynet, I'll give that one a go, that should keep him amused :-), thank you.
This is a picture of his chest ( look away if you're eating ), just before the drain was taken out ( outside, I let him have a tiny graze in hand ). He still have some stitches in, but, hopefully, they should be coming out on friday, as long as it doesn't burst.
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| lupi lou |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 18:28:11
oh just thought of another!! apple in the water bucket so he has to bob for them! It took Jack ages to master that one!! I like your idea of the haynet Jane I'll have to remember that one |
| ozziesmum |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 09:51:12
Morning Razee, how's Socks today and how's the T touch going? pop a couple of swedes in a small hole haynets and hang them up then even if he pins them against the wall he won't be able to take big bites so should keep him busy for a while. |
| Razee |
Posted - 11/06/2013 : 22:39:51
Back home again...Ozziesmum, glad you're feeling ok :-).
Thanks for the swede tip, unfortunately, there's nowhere to hang it, where he can't pin it - the roof is very high, steep and smooth... he's got a lick ( and chewy thing ) hung from the hay rack in such a way, he ALMOST can't pin it... I might try it with the swede as well. Lucy's got the " football" with treats, I sometimes let Socks "borrow" it briefly when mucking out - he loves it - but I can't leave it with him too long, as he gets a bit carried away, paws at it, and is straining the shoulder...
Lupi Lou, thanks for the tips also :-) I'm doing the carrots in the haynet already, and the grass / herbs, even give him young hazel branches. I've got a book on the T touch - but I completely forgot about it! I used to massage Lucy ages ago - I might dig it up - he'd definitely enjoy that :-)
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| lupi lou |
Posted - 10/06/2013 : 12:26:12
So sorry to hear you are both going through this, must be very stressful for you both. Things to help with the boredom that I have done with Jack: carrots broken up and hidden in both haynet and pile of hay on the floor for him to rummage through and find. Swede suspended from the roof form him to eat - the trick is to have it away from the sides other wise they push them against the side of the stable and eat them in no time!! let both the horses groom each other over his stable door so they can interact and groom each. Maybe pull some grass and mix that into his hay too to give him something to forgage for. As for making things a little bit easier for you invest in plenty of hay nets so you can have them all ready to go, it will save a little bit of time. You could always look at some of the T touch stuff and massage just to help him remember that not every thing involes pain and being poked. Hope the time flies for both of you and that he is better soon. If you ever what to drop me an email feel free my email address should be in my profile. |
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