Morning Update: Bear is still eating and pooping! I just talked to the vet tech who checks on him in the morning and he is still looking happy.
I can’t wait to get my boy back home on Monday. 
Go, Bear!
Hoping (no more than you, I’m sure!) your next post has him back home & doing well!!!
Go, Bear!
Hoping (no more than you, I’m sure!) your next post has him back home & doing well!!!
Sunday update:
Good news – Bear is continuing to eat his “gruel” well and his attitude is good.
Not so good news: There is increased odor from his wound site and he is not able to graze (puts grass into his mouth, but then it falls back out because he cannot chew.)
There is movement along the fracture line again. 
If $$ were no object and in a perfect world, vet would x-ray jaw and consider changing the implant. But that would be another surgery and would put us back to the beginning again (she agreed that it was not going to happen)
Bottom line: He is coming home tomorrow; there is nothing they can do that I cannot do.
His care will include:
feeding him 6x/day
antibiotics 3x/day Metronitizole (for anaerobic infection)
Exceed every 3 days (for aerobic infection)
wound care and washing his mouth out 2x/day
Loving on him 24/7 :yes:
I must admit that this schedule sounds daunting, but I am sure I will get used to it in a day or so.
Sorry for the mixed news.
A horse of this age might well have trouble chewing in any case (even if they are able to tear grass or hay with their incisors, it’s their molars that cause trouble as they age).
But it would seem to be prudent to wait to bring him home until his jaw is more stable, which if his bones are healing, should not take all that long. I wouldn’t want to ship a horse with such an injury so freshly healing.
Especially when money is less of an object with offers of support received.
Glad Bear is headed home ! Jingles & AO ~
Glad Bear is headed home !
Jingles laced with extra strength and patience for you ~
- plan your work and work you plan ~ you can do this
and while exhausting
Bear and you will be ‘happier at home’
- ((hugs)) ~
Sorry for the mixed news.
A horse of this age might well have trouble chewing in any case (even if they are able to tear grass or hay with their incisors, it’s their molars that cause trouble as they age).
But it would seem to be prudent to wait to bring him home until his jaw is more stable, which if his bones are healing, should not take all that long. I wouldn’t want to ship a horse with such an injury so freshly healing.
Especially when money is less of an object with offers of support received.
Just because I feel I have to inject something positive in this, my mare was on a long course of Metronidozol for an abscessed tooth as it was either that or surgery. It worked wondefully and the problem never came back. Not cheap stuff tho
Poor guy
Perhaps it would be best to not offer anything that requires chewing right now, to encourage his mouth to be closed and quiet?
Just jump, the surgeon has said that they will not be doing anything I cannot. I think that one reason the surgery site may have movement is that they have been letting him out to graze so that he gets outside and eats something. But now that he is eating his gruel well, I will be turning him out in a large sand pen with a run in shed, for 8 hours a day. Then he will be in his stall with his dutch door window which he looks out of 90% of the time.
Basically, he will be a lot happier here. Right now he is grinding his jaw – which will probably stop when he is happy.
I ship horses in a loose box, so he will not be tied. This way he will not put stress on his jaw if he were to suddenly swing his head.
It is 70 miles home. My vet is 3 miles away. And I am 150’ (a flowing 12 or a quiet 13 strides ;)) away from the barn.
And I have no life.
And, kind as people are, I cannot accept money for a horse which is my responsibility. I have taken out a Credit Care loan, so the cost is doable.
Crown Dragon, He will be getting 6 meals of gruel a day, with apple juice or cinnamon apple sauce or carrot juice in it. No chewing at all for several weeks.
Lord Helpus, will you be my mommy?
You’re an awesome horse mom. Good on you. Hugs and scritches for Bear.
Foxtrot,
The Torb was $150 a day. The Meth… is $40/day. Much better.
You know I bet he will feel a lot better at home. Better rest, more ‘normal’ routine, his own bed and his own buddies. Better rest = better healing.
He’s a tough old bird for getting this far, I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for both of you.
Glad to hear he’s coming home tomorrow. That should help the teeth grinding and general tension which, should, in turn, keep the healing process on a good track. You’ll probably feel much better and certainly more in control too. I’m sure you’re easily capable of the necessary home care.
Hang in there, Lord Helpus. I’d do exactly what you’re doing - bring him home and care for him on your watch. I’m rooting for you both. With good meds, Dr. Time is a great healer.
Hope the trip home goes/went smoothly and that he heals up well once he’s happily settled back in. Good luck with your nursing!
I keep hoping you get an answer about the staph infection.
Soooo…is Bear home and resettled?
Is there someone who lives near OP who can help her with the care of Bear for a week or so? Feeding and medicating and all? Maybe someone on the “cothers helping cothers” thread on the giveaways forum? Just a few hours break can really help out.
