Praying and jingling for Maggie and all of you.
2 Likes
I am sure you will make the right decision for Maggie. From seeing your posts on your move, the kitten debacle, setting up your new place, Matilda, etc you only have your creatures in mind.
Sending much love and strength to your herd (human herd too!) 
4 Likes
Hugs and jingles
2 Likes
Good morning! Maggie stayed the night at the vet hospital for fluids and evaluation of the cause of her colitis.
First of all, her main symptoms were liquid diarrhea (blasting out of her butt) about twice a day and her appetite sucked. First saw it Thursday night and thought maybe from the heat. She still had cow pies in her paddock Friday and appetite was still off so I gave her bio-sponge to try to firm her up. By Saturday, she was standing parked out and we called the vet after I felt pulses in her feet. Vet mentioned possible infectious disease and that our other horses could get it. We separated the others from Maggie and bleached everything. That laminitis episode on Saturday is why we called the vet. The vet felt pulses in both front fetlocks, but mild, not bounding. The vet gave her IV antibiotics. Since then, we’ve been doing the DMSO wipes, Bute, and the antibiotic the vet gave us. Maggie didn’t respond to the antibiotic as was hoped. She was parking out as if she had active laminitis both Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. We added ice baths every couple hours. She was still camped out soon after the ice baths yesterday, which triggered the crossroads situation. Our vet said that she needed IV fluids to keep going. She was right.
What we found out last night is that the laminitis is not as bad as we thought. She was parking out yesterday from belly pain due to the diarrhea, not laminitis. I had given her Banamine prior to hauling her, so she was bright during her exam at the university hospital. They did an ultrasound and took blood samples. Our vet had done a fecal, so they checked that (no worms). They debated antibiotics and if so, which kind. They were leaning towards more supportive therapy when I left late last night. Several vets and students were present. Really smart people that answered all my questions. They also said that her Cushings actually appeared to be well controlled, so that’s great news.
We’re not going crazy with spending, but I can’t put down a pony that has a good chance of getting through this. Plus, I still need answers for the sake of the rest of the herd. I got home in the wee hours, but no regrets.
Maggie’s raised two kids. One is in college and the other is in high school. The kids’ grandpa (my dad) was emotional when I told him that I was hauling Maggie in to be PTS and a necropsy. He offered to help with the vet bill last night. God bless him. The kids still have their pony. I still have the little princess that’s been a parade pony, a book pony, a budding cart pony, and a dear little friend.
We’re heading back to the hospital this morning to visit Maggie and drop off a feed sample. Probably nothing, but I found some chunks in the senior feed.
So, little Maggie is still with us and staying in an isolation stall at the university getting very good care. Awesome care, actually. The facility was incredible and Maggie was very good when I was with her. If I walked away, she got wiggly, so I stayed and stroked her face to keep her calm. They could’ve handled her, but I made it easier. Nice people. Think I have a new favorite university sports team to root for.
38 Likes
Bless her (and you!)
Forgive me if I’m overstepping based on one photo, but there’s something about her eye in this pic that says “you’re not finished with me yet!” 
10 Likes
Hahaha! She’s a character. Her eyes are so expressive.
4 Likes
Just finished scrubbing and bleaching the trailer for when she can come home. Sounds like a few days.
7 Likes
See the same thing, shes not ready to go yet. When its time, she’ll tell you, its in their eyes, they go vacant when there is no fight left in them and/or the chronic pain is too much.
What is that I see in Matilda’s back end…the curve of a booty?
7 Likes
She is a curvy girl!
1 Like
She’s bright eyed! Hope she gets better and gets to come soon!
4 Likes
She’s too cute to be sick; the universe will fix her! All the jungles for her!
2 Likes
Oh, what a sweetheart! Sending you all kinds of magical jingles.
2 Likes
She’s a fighter. Big jingles that she comes home soon. Hang in there. 
1 Like
The hospital is going to stop the IV today and see how Maggie does. Still some loose bowels, but she’s eating better.
22 Likes
Maggie had cow pies instead of squirts this morning! Salmonella is ruled out. Sand irritation is ruled out. Could be self limited virus. Maybe Coronavirus (not that one). She’s getting spicy about oral meds, so feeling her ponyness. They are talking about sending her home tomorrow morning.
34 Likes
Is that a round rump I see! She looks so much better. And wonderful news about Maggie! Ponies are tough. Hope she’s home soon. 
2 Likes
