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  Discussion on Large tear in vaginal wall
Author Message
Member:
Chohler

Posted on Friday, Mar 11, 2005 - 2:54 pm:

I have been taking care of a ranch of 40 horses by myself the last week while the owners have been gone and one of the mares got the crap kicked out of her by another horse. There were cuts all over her back end and she was very swollen and when looking at her I could see from the anus to the vagina. And talk about smell oh my god.

I took her to the vet and come to find out he had dealt with the horse before 2yrs ago with an emergency delivery. She tore really bad and has lived with the tear for 2 years. She was donated to the ranch I work at, and they said she was stitched up and had no problems.

Anyways the vet said she needs surgery which he can't do at his place and it's expensive, or to be put down. He says that it is painfull and nothing really we can do except keep it cleaned out and treat infections when they pop up. Explains why the mare is a Royal B.

How much does a surgery of this type average and if it is a large tear what kind of sucess rate is there. Can you explain what it is they do.
thanks
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Mar 11, 2005 - 6:45 pm:

A vaginal tear can mean many things Cheryl, and without examing the mare I am clueless as to the seriousness of the injury and what it might cost to repair: these are questions for the examining vet and the referring institution.
DrO
Member:
Chohler

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 15, 2005 - 1:29 pm:

The ranch owners are back and we went in and talked to the vet. He said the tear is very large and that repair would be iffy especially since it has been two years since she had her foal. He said that she will always have an infection and be in pain with out repair but given the size and iffyness of repair and cost he said it would be best to have her put down. I think he said something about a fistula? I wish i would have wrote it down.

It makes me sad she is an awesome horse when she feels good. I wish that this would have been fully disclosed when she was donated to the ranch. Maybe it would have been easier to repair then. Basically it boiled down to the people kept the mare long enough to feed the foal and didn't want to spend the money to fix her when it might have been easier. How sad.
Member:
Bethyg2

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 15, 2005 - 1:46 pm:

Just my two cents, but can't the vet suggest a university vet hospital that can do a hysterectomy? Don't they do those on horses? Here in Florida, I have found that the University of Florida is not only the best place for a sick horse, but it is also drastically less money than my local vet. Seems a shame to lose the mare over a solvable problem. -Beth
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 16, 2005 - 7:39 am:

I am not sure a hysterectomy is needed but agree with Beth: get a second opionion on this from a major surgical unit. Most of these type tears are repairable, though some require a series of surgeries. It will be expensive but the prognosis may be a bit better than "iffy".
DrO
Member:
Chohler

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 16, 2005 - 12:47 pm:

The owners are in a financial bind. It would be nice if we could find someone who wants to take her and can get her fixed. Our community is filled with people who won't take on this horse unfortunately.

I talked to her and told her what you said. We are going to try and find someone who can take on this horse she is fully trained, i have been riding her english and she is papered. If we can't find someone to take her on and fix her maybe we can raise the money she is a good school horse they just can't afford to fix her.

if anyone has any ideas please let me know.

Cheryl Hohler
Member:
Chohler

Posted on Monday, Mar 21, 2005 - 6:26 pm:

DrO do you know anyone at a teaching facility in Colorado?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 22, 2005 - 10:54 pm:

Not personally Cheryl.
DrO
Member:
Lilo

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 23, 2005 - 10:53 am:

Cheryl,

I do not know anyone personally at Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins. However, a long time ago I took a horse there for recurrent uveitus, and I was very impressed with their facilities and personnel. Many other horseowners I know have had positive experiences when taking their horses to CSU.

Lilo
Member:
Chohler

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 23, 2005 - 1:04 pm:

Thanks Lilo
The owners are going to make an appointment there.
Now we just have to find a place to board her depending on what is decided.
Member:
Chohler

Posted on Friday, Mar 25, 2005 - 11:48 am:

Good news we found a rescue in colorado that will help us. They are speaking with colorado hospital and our vet to see what can be arranged. wetake care of the fees to get her there and shots etc and they will help with getting her fixed.

Yes!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Mar 26, 2005 - 8:20 am:

That is great Cheryl. Let us know the outcome.
DrO
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