Harv has had a rough few days, and Sunday night I thought I might not have him in my life for much longer. He colicked Sunday afternoon, and while I have not seen many colics, this was moderately bad -- and for an old horse, it was serious.
I walked Harv in from the field at 2:30 Sunday, and when we got back to his stall I threw some carrots in his feed bucket. Maybe a half hour later, one of the workers reported he was pawing. He had not eaten the carrots and refused food. We acted quickly with the standard meds for colic and called the vet. Within an hour he was pawing, groaning, and trying to lie down.
The vet came and checked his vitals:
- normal heart rate or just slightly high
- unsteady,wobbly hindquarters
- elevated respiration
- flared nostrils
- pale gums
- some gut sounds initially (later they stopped)
The vet noted he has a significant heart murmur too. She vet did a rectal (nothing remarkable). She tubed him and gave him more banamine. No real change. She predicted he would not have a good night, and her overall prognosis was guarded. She left us some sedative with painkiller. We made arrangement for her to come back in the am.
For those who may wonder, I did not want to take Harv to a facility (it was suggested). It is not about money. I have given this thought well before Sunday. Harv is 26, and he is elderly. Moving him while he is sick would be traumatic. If he is going to pass, I don't want him to be surrounded by strangers in a strange place. I asked the vet what they can do for him at a facility, and her response was better pain management and hydration (not sure about the latter, I've seen horses with IV bags at barns). Whatever happened, I didn't want Harv to face some drawn-out ordeal.
For those who may wonder, I did not want to take Harv to a facility (it was suggested). It is not about money. I have given this thought well before Sunday. Harv is 26, and he is elderly. Moving him while he is sick would be traumatic. If he is going to pass, I don't want him to be surrounded by strangers in a strange place. I asked the vet what they can do for him at a facility, and her response was better pain management and hydration (not sure about the latter, I've seen horses with IV bags at barns). Whatever happened, I didn't want Harv to face some drawn-out ordeal.
I watched Harv till about 10pm, and he was checked every few hours through the night (I got text updates). At one point he must have thrashed around or fallen because he got some scrapes on his head and neck. At 3am, I got my miracle text: "Harv looks ok in this moment." At 6am, he still looked okay and he was pooping. He has steadily improved. Tonight he looked tired, but he has been hungry, and pooping.
Now he has to drink more, and I'm looking for that mineral oil in his poop. No sign of it yet. But last night he looked pretty good. Think good thoughts about my old friend. He's been in my life since I was 36 years old (I'm 52 now). I don't need to tell any of you what he means to me.
Now he has to drink more, and I'm looking for that mineral oil in his poop. No sign of it yet. But last night he looked pretty good. Think good thoughts about my old friend. He's been in my life since I was 36 years old (I'm 52 now). I don't need to tell any of you what he means to me.
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Oh Harv, get well soon buddy.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are recovering too Stacey!
So glad that he is picking up a bit now I will keep both you and him in my thoughts and hope that he stays improving :) xx
ReplyDeleteThinking good thoughts for Harv and you. We went thru the same thing with our 20 year old OTTB this past summer- 4th of July weekend. Timing-wise, in order to save holiday emergency fees, I proactively called the vet out very early into things, which saved me more when I had to call her out a 2nd time later in the day. All ended with a good outcome thankfully. Afterwards, we started giving her Redmonds Salt to encourage more drinking. SHe didn't like the flavor of the electrolytes in her water.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Hope he bounces back from this and stays with you for more healthy years. We have a 29-year old who will not be going to the vet school or anywhere else at this point, so I totally understand where you are with Harv. He's lucky to have a partner (you) determined to keep him safe and sound among his friends and barn family until he goes. And it goes without saying that you are lucky to have such a great horse! Be well, Harv - sending lots of jingles your way.
ReplyDeleteGlad he's feeling better. I hope he continues to improve. I understand completely about keeping him "home". I think supportive care is almost always best in a familiar environment.
ReplyDeleteHarv, and you, are in my thoughts. My love-of-my-life horse had a significant heart murmur for the last several (5+) years of her life, she lived to be just a few days shy of 30. I hope hearing that they can live healthy, happy lives even with a heart murmur at an old age eases your mind (and heart) some.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad he seems to be getting better. My husband's horse is 28 and not doing very well. It is so hard to determine when is the right time to let them go. I am thankful each morning when I go out and he is standing up waiting for breakfast. I hope you have Harvey for many more years.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly how you feel! I have a 28-year old gelding that I've owned for almost 20 years. He is my life, my first child, my everything. We've been there, done that, done it probably twice by now. He's the guy I can count on for a good ride (he still loves to be ridden); I think the cue, he does it. It's amazing. I never knew how attuned to eachother we were until I got my younger, green gelding.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy that Harv has made a turn for the better. What a great thing to be thankful for this week!! :)
Sending good thoughts you and Harv's way! I totally understand your decision to keep him home.
ReplyDeleteHarv was himself this morning. He was eating his beet pulp, had finished his hay from the night feeding, and eager to go outside. He'll get light meals today and tomorrow he'll be back on his regular schedule.
ReplyDeleteFeel better Harv!!! We're thinking of you guys!
ReplyDeleteSo glad that he is feeling better!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear that the Harvster pulled through. This time of year is so dicey for colic, and I have an older guy who is also colic prone. Like you I have made the decision not to stress him more by moving him if it's his time... but still, every time I see him lying down, my heart stops a little.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed that Harv has many years left!
So glad Harv is feeling better. Colic in older guys is so hard because the decision to move them to a care facility or consider surgery as a option is often not really an option.
ReplyDeleteSending both you and Harv best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving together--oh, and Riley too and super hubby!!
Hooray, Harv!! He had us all very scared. No, you don't have to tell us how much he means to you... I am teary-eyed writing this feeling happy that he's doing better, and I've never even met him. :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving to the whole BTB family.
I am SO sorry you went through that with Harv and so glad you escaped the worst. I personally have experienced that feeling ... that "pit of the stomach" knot ... when you watch a horse go through that and wait through the night for a change. My mare has a propensity for getting ulcers because she has a condition similar to IBS in humans, and she would colic, get explosive diarrhea and go off her feed completely when her GI symptoms flared up. One night, she just lay down resignedly and put her head in my lap after a long, painful episode. I could not sleep all night ... and every text message from my friend that had taken night watch was agonizing. I was even guarded the next day when the mare was up and doing a little better.
ReplyDeleteHere's to Harv fighting to stick it out and for being around for you to love longer. Thank goodness he is alright! <3
Hope he continues to improve. I completely understand about the decision to keep him in his own home.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if you would share Harv's feed program. This fall I am faced with 2 elderly mares with dental issues who barely eat hay.
You have my positive thoughts! I totally agree with you about not sending him off to a facility when he is in great pain, especially at his age. Fingers crossed he continues to improve and doesn't colic again.
ReplyDeleteGood news about Harvey! There is so much to be thankful for. :D
ReplyDeleteNot sure how I missed this entry--I get your blog emailed to me daily, but this one slipped through. Glad Harv came out of this okay. I had an impaction colic on my (relative) youngster--Huey is 18 and he too had gut sounds but was down (January 4) so we went straight to the vet who oiled front and back, checked vitals, did blood work to see if there were kidney issues (there weren't). I gave the horse Diperone for a couple of days (every 8 hours, I think) and was instructed to feed him electrolytes to encourage drinking. Scary things, colics.
ReplyDeleteAnd you are thinking of Harv's best interests regarding where he should be when his time comes. It's never an easy decision to make (and though I've made The Decision many times, I never "do it well"--I'm always a blubbery mess and I do NOT "cry pretty") but we do what is best and what is right for our buddies, our "children," our "hearts."
I am relieved to read this late and find that Harvey pulled through for a Happy Thanksgiving. I agree with your sentiments about keeping him at home.
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