Posted by patrick on November 1, 2009, 5:59 pm |
- Re: Personal decisions
Posted by cmkdreams on November 2, 2009, 8:42 am, in reply to "hard to believe this one"
63.203.168.229When to euthanize & call it quits is such a personal decision. I think we need to be realistic about costs & outcome, but who's to say what's realistic. The pics in the article don't look as bad as the article sounds. I would have to say I would probably go with treating this horse & make decisions along the way.
I have a mare here who's had 3 injuries that the vets all said were euthanasia injuries. The first was as a 3 yr old & she's 18 today. She's done a few 50 milers & been the horse that would go anywhere for me. She's sound & you'd never know she's had a broken leg (did a 50 AFTER that injury); a bone infection in a knee (UCD was sure she'd be euthanized), & as a 3 yr old she denuded (is that a word?
) 3/4 of a front leg from fetlock to mid forearm. This injury & the break I treated her at home on my own because I wouldn't put her down when the vet said that was the only realistic option. She did spend 2 wks at UCD for the joint infection after treating her at home w/my local vet for a month. That was about $5000 but worth every penny because she's given me a couple of really nice babies to one day ride in her hoofprints.
I knew going into each injury that I might lose her, but I had to give her a chance. Yes they were emotional decisions, but I said I'd take it one day at a time & make a new decision each day depending on whether there was improvement or not. I've actually gone this same route with more horses than I care to admit & they all live here w/me today, happy, healthy & sound. - We have done similar things
Posted by Karla on November 2, 2009, 9:04 am, in reply to "Re: Personal decisions"
67.188.93.9My mare Cherry fell at an endurance ride. She broke both front legs and had severe whiplash. With some careful treatment, she was competing in 50s again in 12 weeks. Cherry has had some expensive treatments, but they were on MY dime - not someone else's nickel.
We had a miniature poodle for 18 years - I cannot begin - Dally had essentially colic surgery 3x due to having swallowed something that was stuck between her stomach and her intestine. She had cataract surgery, she had an eye removal, she cost well over $20K when all was said and done. I had the money saved (I never did make the galapagos) but we chose to spend it on her. The thing is, it was our money. We were not asking for donations to make it possible. - the galapagos is still there waiting for you
Posted by KellyW on November 3, 2009, 6:17 pm, in reply to "We have done similar things"
206.81.97.142I just got back 
- I agree on the donations part
Posted by Marijanne
on November 2, 2009, 11:30 am, in reply to "We have done similar things"
67.142.130.45Its one thing if you do it yourself and have the financial means to support that... I would do that for any animal I have in my care... but only "IF" I had the means available, would not nor would I ask for donations to make it a viable option for that animal to live on... but then again, have never been faced with that decision, so really can't make a judgement call on that issue either... my heart would be hanging out for sure.
Wow Karla... both legs???? OMG... I am with Dianna, only had one with a broken leg, do not know how you contended with Sherry during that time. But then you are an extraordinarily strong person... and I continue to be in awe of you... - Re: BOTH front legs?
Posted by cmkdreams on November 2, 2009, 10:29 am, in reply to "We have done similar things"
63.203.168.229OMG I'm telling Wraini to move over since she only had one broken. But then I have TWO horses here with old breaks. Of course I'm not going to put up the LOL face at that. 
- Re: BOTH front legs?
Posted by Karla on November 2, 2009, 11:11 am, in reply to "Re: BOTH front legs?"
67.188.93.9Well, Cherry has an interesting history. She is a real favorite of ours and we would probably spend the money if we had it to repair her - she is surely worth it to us....
You had better tell yours not to try to outdo cherry! I am tired of broken and we seem to be past those years..ha ha ha ha - Re: NO outdoing Cherry!
Posted by cmkdreams on November 2, 2009, 1:15 pm, in reply to "Re: BOTH front legs?"
63.203.168.229I've actually retired Wraini to Pasture Puff status simply because I'm afraid she'll use another of her 9 lives if I ride her. 
And I do NOT want to be on her when she uses one as I don't have 9 lives.
- Re: Personal decisions
Posted by Ron on November 2, 2009, 8:49 am, in reply to "Re: Personal decisions"
75.104.160.54Absolutely correct, whether we agree or disagree. If someone was in that position, I would do everything I could to help if they wanted to save the animal. It's not my decision. It's tough at times but those decisions have to be made. Some times we make the right decisions, some times the wrong decision, but then we go on, hoping we did the right thing. - Something to think about isn't it?
Posted by Ron on November 2, 2009, 8:32 am, in reply to "hard to believe this one"
75.105.32.52If you have a lot of money to spend on something like that.....no big deal. The only thing you need to decide is, is it logical? If you don't have the money to spend without effecting your family, it isn't logical....to me. But that's me. This isn't a human and never will be. We can't put this horse on the same level as a human being. It's tough but I would have to put the horse down if the injury is that bad. - And there is the crux of the matter
Posted by Karla on November 2, 2009, 8:59 am, in reply to "Something to think about isn't it?"
67.188.93.9they are trying to collect money form 'the public' to pay for this horse's injuries. I think those $$ should go to someone like Joe or some of the other reputable rescues.
- Well... for some
Posted by Marijanne
on November 2, 2009, 8:01 am, in reply to "hard to believe this one"
67.142.130.45there aren't any bounds on how far they would go. I can see spending the $$ to get her stiched up... but the skin grafts and cosmetic needs... wow... Would depend on my financial status at the time. Right now, it aint that great... 
- Re: hard to believe this one
Posted by Britt on November 1, 2009, 7:03 pm, in reply to "hard to believe this one"
69.144.143.11I love my horse enough to do whatever it took for her to be healthy again BUT everyone has their limits - whether its financially or other. I couldnt put my family's financial stability in limbo if it really came down to it.
I do not support unnatural life extension either. If its a choice between barely living as a veggie or dying - unplug me. - my neighbor's horse
Posted by Tori on November 1, 2009, 6:29 pm, in reply to "hard to believe this one"
99.197.156.40was injured worse than that, She had a gaping hole in her face where you could see clearly into her nasal cavity. Never figured out if she was kicked or what but they didn't even call the vet because they knew it would be euthanasia so they treated her with young living animal scents ointment
http://www.youngliving.com/Natural-Pet-Care/Animal-Scents-Ointment
and the mare recovered fully, other than her face looking a little different than it did before. Pretty amazing recovery, they took the chance to try to save the mare and spent quite a bit of time with her daily in the recovery process. - Time I got
Posted by Karla on November 3, 2009, 10:54 am, in reply to "my neighbor's horse"
67.188.93.9Lots of time - good for your neighbors...I am always willing to try something different to make the horses comfortable.
Wonder how that would work on the itchiness of sweet itch. Might buy a jar to see.