When do you call it quits?

[e decker]

I have been working on a lamintic stallion for six months. He is going to be put down tomorrow. This is tough on me but I feel it is the right thing to do because of (in order):
1. Horse failed to respond to any and all treatments (i.e. heart bars/frog support, wedges, palmar support, diet ect.) and is in great pain.
2. loss/damage of/to P3
3.rotation
4. Owners concession
5. Vetrinarian concession
6. Value of animal
Do you have critera when it is time to throw in the towel?
What about when money is not an object?
When it is?
An animal of your own (are you more or less likely to opt for euthenasia)?

[J.H. shoeing]

It would seem that it would be based on quality of life. It would also depend on what the owner wanted. I have seen clients keep horses that were in great pain in an attempt to keep that horse in the breeding program or maybe better said the horses DNA in the program. I personally am not going to prolong misery for a horse if it is a pasture ornament.

Jeff

[Ronald Aalders]

Good question. I find that one the most difficult to answer. I can tell you when I don't have any doubt about the necessity of euthanasia, and that the horse where damage done is so massive a venogram won't detect any (significant) bloodflow in the foot. On the whole I think there is too little discussion on exactly this subject. It's important you think about it, how else are you going to add your opinion to those that hopefully help the owner make the right decision?

I don't think pain as such should be a reason to put a horse down. It's the endless suffering that warrants killing a horse. Obviously there are potent pain killers like bute that can help out here.

The list you set out are valid points to consider. If money is no option I'ld go for it all the way. (I'm pro-life that way :rolleyes: ) I know some people here in this part of Europe are shocked about treating laminitic horses to an extend where they could not get up anymore and would devellop bed sores all over their body. For me this is no reason to consider stop treating the horse, but like I said there has to be a valid reason to think recovery is possible.

And you´ll have to define recovery with the owner. This is very important. What does he expect? Chances on recovery of high end cases to pasture sound are bigger (let's face it, a lot bigger) than those of the horse ever being able to be trained again.

Trying to keep a broodmare alive because she brings good babies is a valid reason for me. But again there has to be a chance on succes.



Ronald Aalders

[TE Couch]

loss of bone where there is no hope of attachment to support the weight of the horse - combined with quality of life - and an owners understanding and expectations - and owners ability to follow through with very frequent hoof care.
TE

[Gary_Miller]

When the damage is such that no matter what is done the animal can never return to the purpose/work of which the owner has the animal for. If the animal can't justify it up keep. Then it gets culled from the herd.

It the natural way when the animal is hurt so bad it can't function then the preditors take over, and have lunch.


Gary

[e decker]

I have seen a horse with a "pogo stick" prosthesis from the knee down happily grazing, mares that have had their entire coffin bone removed, now in foal. It makes me feel chicken for giving up on a horse. Those things I could not do to help a horse, nor is that a possibility for an under-insured animal.
It still makes it hard to get to bed.

[calshoer]

I have been in situations where the horse should have been put down years prior, and suffered too long at the hands of everyone including the vet and me, to try to give it every chance to recover to some level of long term comfort. In those situations I try to stay out of the discussion about keeping going, I just perfom my part as best I can and as the vet and owner requests. In those cases the horse eventually finds a crude way out, like colicking, or liver failure, or in one way to long case finally just walking completly out of a hoofcapsule that held on months (years) too long. But that one also taught everyone involved SO much that she has left in her dust knowledge that will help tons of others.

Those are REALLY difficult situations for me because if I didn't help with the hoof mechanics part, the owner and vet would get someone else to do it. Since the horse would go on and be allowed to live too long with or without me, it may as well be me, helping it the best I can with all the tools and experience I have available.

And I have been on the other end too, where at the slightest temporary set back the owner panics and insists they be put them down despite pleas from the vet and farrier to wait a while and see where it will go .These are the kinds that for instrance are abscessing after an attack of laminitis and are just getting ready to turn around and finally get better.

And there have been instances when the owner on the fence about what to do because of economicsas wel las the horses chronic pain during recovery , so vet and I consulted. In the most memprable and difficult case for me we decided on euithanasia not because the horse was never going to recover to a comfort level, (she easily could have) but because the horse had developed enough bone deterioration that it was going to be a long haul to comfort and after that she would never again be a sound riding horse. The elderly owner was on a fixed income and absolutely could not support an unrideable horse. THOSE are the tough ones.

It hurts to lose one you busted your fanny on , and I get attached to a lot of them. (the horses even more than the owners)
It always will hurt but in this business you have to keep chin up and go on to the next one and hope and work for a better outcome.
Patty

[Phil Armitage]

I don't know anyone that doesnt have a hard time putting an animal down, but it is a part of life that we have to be strong enough to accept and do the right thing when it comes. I never realised how difficult it would be to put down my horse my best friend for over 20 years. I did it 5 years ago, it was the right thing to do and it still bothers me. The reasons you listed below are very good reasons. I do not have a problem with people makeing a choice to put down an animal over money either. If money is a problem then I do not think anyone should risk poverty over and animal. There are more important things like, your childs education, roof over your family's head, food to eat, paying bills and medical insurance. If money is not an object then send some of that money to starving children around the world. Don't forget there are bigger problems in life.

[balazsborbely]

I believe this is one of the toughest questions ever. If the owner is committed and the horse is hospitalised (under 24/7 medical surveilance), you can repair ugly things as long the horse is tough, "wants to live". If ANY of the above is missing, then euthanasia is the only way out in case of bone deterioration and lost circulation. I had a mare grow her hooves back after gradually exungulating, but she was on drugs, sterile bandages changed daily or every 2days, and standing on turf in hospital box, sedated for hoof treatment and hanging in loops. Cost a fortune, she is a tough cookie, and the foal survived too (mare had two abdominal surgeries, foundered between the two despite preventive medication)
Most hopeless seems to me: little girls hunter, minimal radiographic changes (litlle sinking, little rotation), no reaction to medication or treatment, shows every symptom of founder, VERY lame and painful. Parents not rich, already spent big money on the treatment. You have to be honest to them and tell that the only sure thing is that another fortune can be spent, and nobody can tell if the horse is going to make it.... I hated it, same hospital as the mare above, but told them that I would put him down.
I think I need a drink.
:(
BB

[reillyshoe]

The last three memorable events to make me cry out of sadness:
1. Chloe, 2002, laminitis patient. I was frustrated at what I could not do for her.
2. Charlie, 2000, laminitis patient. Tried like hell.
3. Red Sox, 1986, Game six loss to the Mets.

Are my priorities out of whack? I'll join you for that drink.