I’m so invested in all this - I think you are doing SUCH a wonderful thing for Bo. Even if it is all worst case/cancer scenario, I can’t imagine a better place for him to be than back home where he has been happily eating and escaping wire fencing and being wonderfully sassy about blankets.
Even in his most recent “jail” photos he looks AMAZING compared to when you got him. All the love and carrots for Bo!
Poor guy! Can’t say I blame him for wanting out. Hopefully he can come home tomorrow.
He still looks really good. I hope he gets out of there soon.
You should bring him home. I’m sure at home he will perk up, he looks so sad. Plus, you can do just as good a job at observing him as they can, probably better. And like you said, if he starts to deteriorate, you can bring him back. Yay for the poop though!
I’m in the bring Bo home camp. Even if it is something horrible going on. He seems like a horse that has found ‘heaven’ i.e. your place, and doesn’t understand why he isn’t there anymore.
But, that being said, I don’t want to pressure you via the internet. You have done an amazing job with him. Strength and good wishes to you and Bo.
I am glad you got to see him.
I think at this point you know him best. He has shown he is not an easy horse to feed and so far what you are doing has worked.
Hopeful he is back to feeling himself soon.
I have to say that I am in the bring him home camp too.
Late November 2021, one of my cats was sick and although I had a vet appointment with her regular vet (1 month out 
), she didn’t make it that long before she ended up at the ER. She spent 2 days in ICU in oxygen and when stabilized, I was adamant she was coming home. I could medicate her just fine which by then was all they were doing (differential was asthma vs cancer). Ultimately, I did have to euthanize about 3 weeks later but she was calm and safe at home, not at the vet hospital. It didn’t help that they wouldn’t allow anybody in the building with the animal…damned COVID.
He looks emotionally sad but condition wise, he seems to be holding. Continued jingling for Bo.
Susan
This is frustrating. I agree with @findeight. This horse needs to be out being hand-walked a couple times a day for 20-30 minutes, not standing in stocks getting frustrated at having to stand there. Standing in stocks is not “getting out.”
I’m not understanding the reasoning behind their treatment. Displacement can be caused by gas build up that is not getting relieved and expelled which would be helped by movement.
I’m not snapping at you @Heinz_57. I’m just questioning the vet at this point.
Prayers, jingles and hugs for you both.
ETA: I’m in the bring home camp, also. Get him home, get him moving, return his life to as normal as you can get it.
FWIW, I’ve been in that place where vets have recommendations they expect me to just follow because they say so. It can be hard to go against their medical advice, but no one knows him better than you.
Any updates today?
Not my horse or decision but…sometimes it is not zebras…
Gas is good, long as it’s passing and passing soft stinky poo that been sitting in the gut too long may be the gut recovering from recent insults.
IMO and experience with old animals, Seniors of any species often do not tolerate sedation and poking and prodding looking for something that is only a possibility may not be in their best interests. Not like he’s a candidate for surgery, chemo, radiation.
I vote manage and no intervention or invasive procedures for this old guy missing most of his teeth…don’t get feeding stemmed anything here🤔
I think today was an appointment to brand all, so OP will be going over anyway. 
Without a real diagnosis, just a clinical picture, it is hard to say what would be best for Bo, if to be uncomfortable with surroundings but where he can get immediate help with a crisis, whatever that help means, supportive treatment or terminal decision, or to be in better surroundings and then being in a crisis that needs vet intervention immediately.
Anguished decisions those, not enough to go by yet what would be best, need to see Bo again and hear vet to have more to go by.
OP, hugs in such an impossible situations, bet you will do right for Bo, when you have to make a decision.
Correct! I just hooked up the trailer and I’m headed out in about 20 minutes.
Unless something concerning happened overnight that makes me think he’s going to need more serious intervention than the occasional dose of banamine, I am going to discuss it with the vet and ultimately plan to bring him home. I’ve already said no to any biopsies, and I find the whole cancer thing pretty zebra-ish considering the timing and the totally normal bloodwork he had 6 days ago. If he does have some underlying cancerous process, whatever I was unknowingly doing before was working to manage it. Let’s go back to doing that. I understand re-feeding protocols and I’d like to get him started BEFORE he looks like total death again.
For those that mentioned his condition, yes, he still looks OK but in person the weight loss is pretty evident in his topline and flanks. He’s lucky he went in, in such good shape - if this had happened at the beginning of our story, he would surely have died. Having a little weight to spare now has been lucky.
In case I haven’t said it in a while, I am so grateful for all the support and ideas and emotions from every single poster here. It means so much, and being able to bounce thoughts and ideas around has been a great help for me. My gut says to get him home before he starts giving up on life.
Sending lots of virtual hugs your way, stop in and get a coffee and maybe a treat for you and Bo, safe travels, and I look forward to hearing about Bo’s shenanigans when he’s back at home.
Jingling like crazy for you Heinz_57 and Bo!!
I hope he come home safe and sound!
If the hospital is comfortable offering him hay then in my mind there’s no reason he can’t be in his pasture nibbling grass. It’s easier to count poop piles in a stall but that’s about it (bar needing additional treatments and such).
Hugs, jingles and prayers for Bo and everyone involved in decisions today. Love you guys.
Awwww, poor Bo 
Deprived of his Faithful Servant (you).
Maybe ask vet if you can suggest they feed the diet that was working for you while he’s “incarcerated”?
Anything familiar might make him happier.
& hungrier.
Still
& 
Continuing to wish Bo all the best.
Heinz - did you ever tell us if there’s a way we can support Bo with a dribble? I am sure these last few days in the hospital weren’t cheap.
Guess who’s loaded up… 
I’m waiting in the office to pay my bills now 
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
