Friday, June 11, 2010

Nowhere

I apologize for the lack of further updates. It has not been very good. Rugby is still alive but he is not well. The ultrasound showed no physical deformities or tumors. The ultrasound specialist is also an equine internist and she and my vet discussed his case and have called other vets about it. Nobody seems to have a definitive answer.

Bloodwork is still not normal. Horse still has rounds of colic symptoms. But one shot of Banamine and he's comfortable again. He eats, he drinks and he passes manure and urine yet he's lost a lot of weight and strength. His coat is shiny, his hooves are growing well yet something has made him very sick. Now he's got swelling along his jaw and behind his throatlatch. It looks as if he has swelling around his cheeks, too. None of the tests, blood, urine or feces have given us an "aha" moment to pinpoint what is going on. I've even gone so far as to let the vet run a tox screen to see if something has been poisoning him.

I have tried all the vets suggested within my means. I have exceeded the purchase price of the horse in vet bills. I cannot afford to go much further with this and it is killing me. I gave up on hope weeks ago and now just wait to see what happens.

I don't know if he'll ever return to full health and I may have a very hard decision to make. So if I do not post it is because if this. If it comes to him either fully recovering from this or being put down I will post but I can't write about this roller coaster I'm on with him, it's too frustrating.

Hug your horse today. If he/she is sound, shiny and healthy, go for a long ride and truly enjoy it. I would give anything to truly enjoy riding mine again.

20 comments:

Mrs. Mom said...

Prayers and thoughts are with you and Rugby on this end. Keep in touch when you can.

Muddy K said...

I get the silence of that kind of waiting. There's very little anyone can say to comfort you; I realize that too. I just hope you continue to find little moments of peace with your boy.

Missie said...

Prayers for Rugby and for you!

Promise said...

I've been nervously watching for your update, and I was so hoping against hope that it'd be good news. Thinking of you both.

English Rider said...

So unfair! Thinking of you.

Anonymous said...

Very sorry to hear of Rugby's continuing troubles - will be thinking of you and him.

jill said...

I'm so sorry for you and Rugby. It's like he's got some sort of auto immune or fibromyalga like thing going on. Just like with people, sometimes they just can't pinpoint anything in particular, but things are just not right. I wish they could find something,anything, that could give him some help. How frustrating and sad this must be for you. I am so sorry.

Once Upon an Equine said...

I'm so sorry to hear that Rugby is still not well. This must be maddening for you. I'm sorry and really hope things work out for the best.

Kristen Eleni Shellenbarger said...

Oh god..I'm so sorry. I know how scary it is and you are still trying to get your answers of what is going on.
Have you talked to anyone about a detox to flush toxins out of his body...any homepathic people by you to help??? It can be just as risky so do your research but sometimes its less $$. It may be too exhausting for you to do at this point, understandably.
I hope that you get thru this with Rugby. My thoughts are with you and hugs..lots of hugs.

Wendy said...

My thoughts are with you.

Jean said...

My heart is breaking for you.

Wish I could do something to help or offer some advice. Instead I will offer my prayers and good thoughts.

Whatever happens, you will do the right thing. You have my full support and understanding. *hugs*

I will hug my Boys for you and Rugby. Please hug Rugby from me and tell him someone else cares....

OnTheBit said...

I totally empathize with your frustration. It took almost a year AFTER Gen's tendon healed before we were able to get a real diagnosis! The not knowing is the hands down worst part of it all. If you knew he was going to keep getting sick, the answer is clear. If you knew he was going to get better that frustration would lessen. I want to give you a really big hug right now. I know Rugby was not a super pricey pony, but that is still a LOT of money on vet bills. As much as I love my Gen (and we all know I LOVE MY PONY) I still look back and wonder how good of an idea it was to spend $14,000 to save him. Luckily he pulled though so it is much easier to justify. I have a thought about your blog...any chance you could post all of the symptoms in post just the facts and with a time line? I have had 3 people e-mail me this week already thanking me for the embedded tick posts because that was what was wrong with their horses. Not saying it will do any good, but may, just maybe someone out there is going through the same thing. I will keep you and Rugy in my thoughts and prayers. You really need to break this bad horse luck streak you are on...

Stephanie - Siouxzeegirl Designs said...

Sending you and Rugby prayers!

Unknown said...

Our prayers are with you and Rugby. We all know you will do what is best for him, you've always been there for him.

English Rider said...

Is it possible that he has ingested something that wouldn't show up on an x-ray? Plastic for example. Something that his body keeps trying to reject? Is an ultrasound a feasible option?

Pinzgauer said...

I'm SO sorry to hear about this. I hope things are improving, or at least not getting worse.

His symptoms sounds exactly like a horse that had large strongyles that were resistant to the dewormers used, and had made it to his arteries, so didn't show in a fecal. I really hope it's something that "simple" (although it's obviously not simple).

Here's hoping he recovers soon.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry to hear this. After all you've been through horse-wise. It's not fair...no no no. Please try to write. At least you know that people all over the world are pulling for Rugby. Stay strong.

OneCowgirl said...

My heart goes out to you! Sending prayers and hugs....

English Rider said...

You are not forgotten. Hang in there!

Promise said...

Hope all is well, or at least getting better.