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Razee
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
2525 Posts |
 Posted - 09/06/2013 : 11:00:56
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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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0.1.0 late CB10 Carolina corn snake - Bazilishka
1.0.0 CB11 Abbots Okeetee- Little Twiddler
1.0.0 CB11 Hypo corn- Sebastianek
1.0.0. CB14 Butter Motley - Squidwood
0.0.2 CB18 normal/ Okeetee yearlings Bunny and Lalalishka
0.0.1 hognose
0.1.0 stable cat
0.1.0 house cat |
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Mamma
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
4494 Posts |
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ozziesmum
Yearling
United Kingdom
736 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2013 : 13:13:19
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| Ah bless you I've been thinking about you and Socks big hugs to you both, try and stay strong the poor lads most probably bored out of his brains and well and truly racked off bless him and who can blame him, it will be a trying time for you both but hang in there it will all come right in the end xx |
Jane.
   
Oscar Black Lab, Saffron, Merlin and Mischief the cats, assorted fish, Rhubarb & Custard the corns, Tuppence the Tortoise, Tripod the Leopard Gecko.
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scottishbluebird
it is all my fault
United Kingdom
8403 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2013 : 15:53:35
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| Hope it gets better xxxx |
     
0.1.0 Corn - Kellogs
1.0.0 Hognose - Storm
0.1.0 Staffy - Lyla
1.0.0 Spaffy(staffy x springer)-Spyro
1.0.0 Ferret - Peanut R.I.P
0.1.0 Crestie - Fudge. Wish List - Pygmy hedgehog. Tropiocolotes |
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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2013 : 18:16:29
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| Oh Razee, sorry to hear you are both going through such a tough time, it must be very tiring for you :( I hope he recovers quickly, ((hugs)) xxx |
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mjpeters
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1539 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2013 : 21:30:55
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Do you have any Horsey friends that could pop over to see him/you?
Maybe a different Face may perk him up a bit-even if its just to give his nose a bit of a stroke and have a chat with him?
We have a stable that helps disabled kids ride near us,they have some disabled/very veteran non ride able pony's.
The lady that runs it is convinced that some of the senior pony's would have been long gone without the interaction with the kids/parents.
They also like to listen to classic fm 
I wish I could do more but here's an e'hug  and remember Chocolate reaches the happy parts of the brain quicker than any drug
In fact Chocolate ONLY exists to be eaten by lovely ladies |
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Mort13
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5599 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2013 : 21:34:11
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| Aw poor horsey, hope he's feeling better soon and about to go out frolicking in the field once more x |
      
3.1.0 Corn snakes, 1.0.0 T-Albino Cape House Snake, 0.1.0 Western Hognose,
1.0.0 MBK, 0.1.0 Childrens Python, 1.0.0 Nicaraguan Dwarf Boas
0.0.1 Occelated Skink, 1.0.0 Leopard Gecko, 1.0.3 Tarantulas, 0.0.2 Damon diadema
1.0.0 C0ckatiel,
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Moppet
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3315 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2013 : 21:35:01
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| I feel for you. I hope Socks gets better soon. |
2.4.0 Corn snakes
1.0.0 horse
0.1.0 Golden retriever
1.4.0 Guinea pigs |
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Blackcat
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1235 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2013 : 22:01:25
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Huge amount of Hugs sent your way Razee.
You must be so tired and stressed, wish I was close so I could offer help - nothing worse than having to have a horse on box rest, let alone a youngster.
You will get through this ordeal and Socks will get back to being 'nice' again.
Keep pestering the vet for advice.
With regards to tipping the water buckets over, I had a section D who would pick his bucket up in his teeth and tip it all over the stable and the only solution I came up with was to strap the bucket to the wall.
I got my dad to make two pieces of wood each with two grooves/slots at the back for straps to run through, these were screwed to the stable wall to allow my bucket to sit between them and then two straps threaded through the grooves and round the water bucket and pulled tight.
The straps had a fitting on the end which allowed the other end to be threaded through and pulled tight (luggage strap) - I used two one towards the top of the bucket and one towards the bottom.
Hope this makes sense and is of some help in keeping the stable dry.
I think my email address is in my profile, feel free to email me and destress if you wish |
0.0.2 Corn snakes - Morse & Zeus
1.1.0 Brazillian Rainbow Boa's - Indigo & Ruby
0.0.2 Columbian Rainbow Boa's - Orinoco & Tobago
1.0.0 House snake - Hoggle
0.1.0 Crested Gecko - Ludo
2.0.0 cats (RIP Zebee), 0.1.0 Dog, 2.0.0 Horses |
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Razee
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
2525 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2013 : 23:38:34
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Thanks for your support and kind words, everyone.
Ozziesmum, he really is bored out of his brains, but despite all the naughtiness, he's coping better than I thought he would, and is very tough when it comes to pain, bless him.
More importantly though - how are you doing? I kept thinking about you as well...even though it really doesn't compare, I know.
Mjpeters - I'm really lucky - I have a friend who does the mid day visit/feed two days a week for me - I work all day on 2 days and and half a day on the rest, but can't take holidays in term time ( working for uni ). There's no way I could do the mid day visit on my full days, I work too far from the field - about 50 mins drive. It's the early mornings and the late nights ( I try to stay as long as possible in the evenings, so they can have the hay for the night ) that don't help. Still, it won't be for ever, eh?
I saw the horses watching the swallows feeding the babies, especially Lucy seems to like them - so at least they've some "in stable" entertainment... and Socks has become more friendly towards the stable cat, too, so maybe he'd like more visitors.
I took your advice re chocolate :-) - had still some Galaxy left in the fridge :-) Doesn't happen very often that there's any left. Mmmm.
Blackcat - re tipping the water bucket - I strongly suspect that's exactly what he does, picking it with his teeth. He is very mouthy as it is, and is now teething as well ( half a year early, lost both of his second bottom teeth in 2 days ). I had to put Cribox on all wood in his stable - then he started chewing concrete walls! I might end up having to tie the bucket, I was thinking about something similar to what you've done. There's a drain running through his stable, feed room and into Lucy's, so when he floods his, it ends up partially flooding hers, too.
I partly solved it by letting him drink his fill after feed, and only leaving half a bucket with him during the day between visits- he hardly drinks ( probably because he gets soaked hay, and very wet feeds with sugar beet ). But he has to get full bucket for the night, so tying it will work better, thanks for the tip :-) - and thanks for the e mail offer :-) |
0.1.0 late CB10 Carolina corn snake - Bazilishka
1.0.0 CB11 Abbots Okeetee- Little Twiddler
1.0.0 CB11 Hypo corn- Sebastianek
1.0.0. CB14 Butter Motley - Squidwood
0.0.2 CB18 normal/ Okeetee yearlings Bunny and Lalalishka
0.0.1 hognose
0.1.0 stable cat
0.1.0 house cat |
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ozziesmum
Yearling
United Kingdom
736 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2013 : 09:18:28
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| Hi Razee I do so feel for you but hopefully he will settle down, have you tried hanging swedes in his stable so he's got something to nibble on and also keep his mind busy. Oh and don't worry I'm doing fine, I've been home a week now and feeling great. |
Jane.
Oscar Black Lab, Saffron, Merlin and Mischief the cats, assorted fish, Rhubarb & Custard the corns, Tuppence the Tortoise, Tripod the Leopard Gecko.
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lupi lou
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3670 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2013 : 12:26:12
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| 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. |
 
1.0.1 Corns
0.1.0 Dog: springer
1.0.0 Horse
0.4.0 Gerbils
2.2.0 Leopard gecko
0.2.0 Cave gecko |
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Razee
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
2525 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2013 : 22:39:51
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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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0.1.0 late CB10 Carolina corn snake - Bazilishka
1.0.0 CB11 Abbots Okeetee- Little Twiddler
1.0.0 CB11 Hypo corn- Sebastianek
1.0.0. CB14 Butter Motley - Squidwood
0.0.2 CB18 normal/ Okeetee yearlings Bunny and Lalalishka
0.0.1 hognose
0.1.0 stable cat
0.1.0 house cat |
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ozziesmum
Yearling
United Kingdom
736 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 09:51:12
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| 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. |
Jane.
Oscar Black Lab, Saffron, Merlin and Mischief the cats, assorted fish, Rhubarb & Custard the corns, Tuppence the Tortoise, Tripod the Leopard Gecko.
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lupi lou
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3670 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 18:28:11
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| 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 |
1.0.1 Corns
0.1.0 Dog: springer
1.0.0 Horse
0.4.0 Gerbils
2.2.0 Leopard gecko
0.2.0 Cave gecko |
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Razee
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
2525 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 18:39:01
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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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0.1.0 late CB10 Carolina corn snake - Bazilishka
1.0.0 CB11 Abbots Okeetee- Little Twiddler
1.0.0 CB11 Hypo corn- Sebastianek
1.0.0. CB14 Butter Motley - Squidwood
0.0.2 CB18 normal/ Okeetee yearlings Bunny and Lalalishka
0.0.1 hognose
0.1.0 stable cat
0.1.0 house cat |
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Razee
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
2525 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 18:43:13
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| Ha - I like the apple bobbing, too ! Off to the field again.... |
0.1.0 late CB10 Carolina corn snake - Bazilishka
1.0.0 CB11 Abbots Okeetee- Little Twiddler
1.0.0 CB11 Hypo corn- Sebastianek
1.0.0. CB14 Butter Motley - Squidwood
0.0.2 CB18 normal/ Okeetee yearlings Bunny and Lalalishka
0.0.1 hognose
0.1.0 stable cat
0.1.0 house cat |
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ozziesmum
Yearling
United Kingdom
736 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 19:20:28
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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. |
Jane.
Oscar Black Lab, Saffron, Merlin and Mischief the cats, assorted fish, Rhubarb & Custard the corns, Tuppence the Tortoise, Tripod the Leopard Gecko.
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mjpeters
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1539 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 22:00:30
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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? |
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lupi lou
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3670 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2013 : 22:15:57
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| 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! |
1.0.1 Corns
0.1.0 Dog: springer
1.0.0 Horse
0.4.0 Gerbils
2.2.0 Leopard gecko
0.2.0 Cave gecko |
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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 13/06/2013 : 09:54:18
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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 |
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Non reptile..
