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  Discussion on Just joined need help *urgent* - please
Author Message
New Member:
regina2

Posted on Saturday, May 1, 2010 - 11:41 pm:

My almost 31 year old mare went off her feed (13 lbs a day of senior and another 1.5 lbs of supplement feed with 18% fat)which she sucked up daily - very aggressive eater. This no food zone started about 2 weeks ago and went down to only eating about 2 lbs., per day, but seemed to be extremely interested in hay/grass. She can't eat hay due to lack of teeth but was eating the hay from the other 3 gals, chewing and spitting out wads. She's lost probably 100-150 lbs in the last 2 weeks and the vet was out today.

Heartbeat, temperature normal, lungs sounded okay for her age.

I always had the possibility of ulcers since this started in the back of my mind even though I've never had a horse with ulcers, vet thought that was not the case in an a mare almost 31. So after check today, blood work, etc., everything seems to be in almost normal range, kidneys, etc., but liver enzymes are totally messed up.

So he really thought she was in liver failure and only had a few more weeks. Obviously as her responsible caretaker I am not going to let her suffer and scheduled euthanasia for Tuesday 5/4 - I can't bear to watch her deteriorate like she has but something doesn't feel right, now after I have recovered from the initial shock.

If she's been off her food for 2 weeks - say because it was an ulcer, wouldn't blood work for a horse who is now anorexic have screwed up liver enzymes and could that be reversed, if it was ulcers and we just tried to use meds for that to see if she would start eating again?

I am questioning my vet, which wouldn't be the first time, going on gut instinct, which wouldn't be the first time and looking for thoughts and advice.

I am grasping at straws here, but I just want to be sure, so guess I am at looking for verification? Before I let her go. Thank you.

p.s. This is probably a very unusual request, but since I just joined this site and not sure totally how to navigate the site and am looking for information in an almost emergency situation please feel free to e-mail me personally at rlanderson@austin.rr.com

Thank you for your help.
Member:
juliem

Posted on Sunday, May 2, 2010 - 12:06 am:

Welcome Regina. I think before I'd put her down, I'd experiment with the feed regimen. Could you have a new bag that tastes different? I've had this happen. Or a bag that got wet or moldy? Are you adding water to the feed to make a tasty mushy soup? Are you trying other things to tempt her--a thread on here somewhere discusses that and as I remember it's Sara W, who has lots of knowledge about seniors and their feeding. I hope Dr. O weighs in soon to answer your questions. I'm sure you've been trying to tempt her with lots of things, but thought I'd throw this out anyway. I read today that Elmer Bandit (37 years old and holds the total lifetime distance record) has a diet of soaked, very wet beet pulp with added molasses and some other supplements.
How is her attitude--bright and curious? Comfortable or not? Depressed or not? Does she seem to be in pain? More or less active than usual? I think you have to follow your instincts to some extent, and if something really doesn't feel right, why rush into the euth?
New Member:
regina2

Posted on Sunday, May 2, 2010 - 12:45 am:

I have tried variations of food as in a brand individually/combination's/mixed of this or that/anything that she has ever eaten in one combination or another - my barn is looking like a chemist lab , everything is soaked/stirred/soup and has been for 3 years, everything has to be soup. Since she seemed to not like her Sr. grain any longer but thought she could eat hay, I bought TnT chops and wet those down for hay soup, again she picked at that, I've tried every combination of food, supplements, that I have in the barn plus some to no avail.
Member:
mrose

Posted on Sunday, May 2, 2010 - 1:22 am:

Hi Regina. I can feel the panic and concern and love for your mare in your voice, and it hits me in the heart. I have just been through a very similar scenerio. Perhaps if you read my post you will find something that might help you. I hope the journey you are starting with your old girl will end as peacefully as mine and Beau's did. You will find it here:https://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/3/350210.html
Member:
mrose

Posted on Sunday, May 2, 2010 - 1:25 am:

https://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/3/349595.html

The above is the start and give Beau's bloodwork etc. I thought perhaps the comparison might help.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, May 2, 2010 - 9:08 am:

Welcome Regina,
Unfortunately there is not enough information in your post for us to make much of a judgement on your veterinarians assessment and nothing to base a prognosis on. It is important for you to understand that increases in liver enzymes are not the same as diagnosing liver failure and the article associated with this discussion explains this in great detail and outlines some of the clinical signs and diagnostic steps to determine if the liver is failing, the different ways in which it can fail, and treatment recommendations if the cause might be reversible. To access it click on Liver Disease and Failure at the top of this page.

If you remain uncertain what to do next consider a second opinion or possibly a referral to a equine hospital.
DrO
Member:
paul303

Posted on Monday, May 3, 2010 - 1:10 am:

Regina, are you positive that Cushings is not involved? The older horses that I've owned with Cushings have all started with lack of appetite. The other main symptoms were an increase in water intake and urination. Heavier than normal winter coat.

Just something to rule out.
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