Jingling
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Day 9 update;
As of today, labs are 100% within normal limits! I am so insanely relieved! Vet said she had an excellent exam.
We did a super light hack yesterday, mostly walking, with about a lap and a half of the ring each way trotting. She felt sound and energetic and was perfect except for some coughing, which is likely a side effect of the additional stall time and lack of exercise (she has asthma).
I am so relieved, I could cry… or sleep for a week.
Thank you all for the jingles and advice!! Hope our journey helps others!!!
And hope that others realize a sub-101,5 degree temp isn’t necessarily normal. Once on OxyTet and Banamine, my horse never got above 100.5. Her normal seems to be in the 100.0 +/- a few tenths.
We know people have “normal” temperatures that are specific to them (and change over time!)… and I imagine that just like people, horses have a normal, too. I think I read in humans that a 2 degree variation from normal is a fever. The published range doesn’t matter. What’s normal matters. The same is true of lab “reference ranges”. What’s important is to establish what is normal for your horse, yourself, or your pet and note abnormalities. I learned that from my kidney cat,
Okay, off my soap box. Thanks again!
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This. My gelding’s normal temp was 99. If he had a 101, he was sick.
So happy your girl is better!
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Amen! And THANK YOU! What a week…
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Thank you for starting and updating this valuable thread. I am so, so glad it has a happy ending. You and your vet did a great job.
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Thank YOU! I was a little nervous about posting, but I also figured the COTH hive mind could help me and that others could learn as I learned! I am also thankful it was a happy ending, but realize it isn’t always the case. I
Assuming we don’t have complications, I have one parting thought. I have no doubt that cryotherapy significantly helps, and I hope others consider it if the situation warrants and/or they can afford to do it, I chose not to, but I don’t want to dissuade anyone from it. It’s my only point of regret. I don’t regret it because we survived, but I would regret it if we hadn’t.
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Thank you for starting this thread! This thread plus another one about PHF in MD/VA made me reach out to my vet about boosters for my horses, and they got them last week.
I’m so glad your girl is doing better!
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For anyone needing to soak or ice hooves, I’ve used the large IV bags (just ask your vet). This article suggests duct tape to secure, but I used vet wrap with black electrical tape on top to secure. You can easily soak or ice all four feet at the same time.
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Where were you a week ago, @MDMom? (Kidding!) But these tips are awesome, and I am filing them away. Thank you!
ETA: love the tip to keep things “slushy”. And while this would be great for 24/7 icing if horse lived at home, it’s a lot of work in a boarding situation. Time and ice supply probably make it untenable, but still better than other alternatives!
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While I am here, another update is probably warranted! Horse is doing awesome. Definitely feeling herself - she was a bit fresh today, and her temps were normal. She has gone from being off feed entirely to being a grain thief (much to the chagrin of her messy neighbor!) Her asthma is now flaring, but all things considered, we are in great shape!
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