Homer has had colic all day, I found him down in his box at 8 am, he's been trying to go down and roll, not violently, just over, all day. Vet spent over 2 hours with him this morning. Pulse normal, temp normal, last night & this morning dung was normal, only sign from the night was bedding disturbed and he didn't finish his hay. First rectal exam vet didn't find anything, but he was quiet in his gut on right side tubed his stomach but didn't find anything, gave him activated charcoal & pro and prebiotic mix, Bute & Calmagine (anti-spasmodic), he got slightly better but within half an hour of the vet leaving he was rolling again, gave him more Calmagine. Vet back after 2 hours, gut sounds had improved slightly, gave him 2nd rectal exam and found a mass that he described as being like a strawberry and bigger than a baseball deep inside him, it didn't show up on external ultrasound, it wasn't inside the intestine. Ultrasound showed normal amount of fluid. He has hardly passed any gas, which is very unusual for him, hasn't passed dung since around 10 am. Pulse is weak but around 40 bpm, respiration has been high, colic is spasmodic - he was able to walk for a bit but then needs to lie down and roll over, then sit up, roll again or lie flat out.

Surgery probably isn't an option, partly because this is rural France, partly because vet said this query tumour is very deep inside him. Vet gave him 15 L of fluid IV as said this might get things moving, and finally gave him Finadyne. That was about an hour and a half ago and he's shown no improvement. Blood tests were apparently ok, but I'm not sure exactly what was tested.

He had mild gas colic 10 days ago, seemed to recover, but last 4 days has been very quiet, not eating with usual gusto, and Sunday and last night he lay down unusually in his box, but TPR were all fine, gums, mucous membranes, all the usual checks fine. Gut noises seemed normal. So this hasn't just come on today.

I think we're going to have to let him go as he seems to have given up and I can't let him suffer, I just want to make sure I haven't missed anything.

Sorry to post on here, it's not laminitis this time, I'm desperate.

Andrea
France/UK Jan 2010

--- In EquineCushings@..., "andrealefley" <androbjon@...> wrote:

Homer has had colic all day, I found him down in his box at 8 am,....
I think we're going to have to let him go as he seems to have given up and I can't let him suffer, I just want to make sure I haven't missed anything.

it's not laminitis this time, I'm desperate.

Oh Andrea, I'm so sorry for what you and Homer are going through. I don't have any insight to add, just that we're thinking of you both and hoping something works for him.
Laura K. Chappie & Beau
N.IL.2011

Dear Andrea,

So sorry you are in this predicament - if its a blockage or tumour then surgery is your only hope but you
have to move quickly before complications set in. Otherwise letting him go is the kindest thing to do, I
lost my horse the same way.

Thinking of you.

Michelle
Uk 2007


















[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

So sorry Andrea, prayers going out now.

On 12/5/2012 8:49 AM, andrealefley wrote:

Homer has had colic all day, I found him down in his box at 8 am,

I have had serious computer problems but just got my new computer set up and ready to go.....I am so sorry this has to be my first message on it. I am going to pray right now that this will be resolved in a good way.....prayers for you and Homer starting now.

Elva and Angel Satin
2004/NM


--
Elva
I was a dancer. One night at a gypsy camp, I drank a potion meant for
another and lost my heart to a horse named Satin.

Your vet sounds very competent. Unfortunately, I don't really have much of anything to offer but if it is an external mass lipoma or abscess are possibilities. The only thing I would suggest is to make sure the mass is really outside the lumen and not an impaction but it doesn't sound like it is impaction.

Eleanor in PA
www.drkellon.com
EC Co-owner
Feb 2001

Andrea,

I am so, so sorry for what you and Homer are going through - I too went through exactly the same thing with my Icelandic at the end of September - I was able to take him to surgery at Liphook, and when they operated they found a pedunculated (spelling?) lipoma, which had grown from a stalk on the gut mesantry, the stalk of which had then wrapped around the gut and caused the colic. The surgeon said that too much damage had been caused to the gut for them to be able to save him, and so we had to let him go on the table. He was my heart horse and I miss him so so much, but I try to be thankful for the time that we did have together, even though it doesn't feel like long enough.

They told me afterwards that that tumour had probably been growing for most of his life - and that the stalk can wrap around the gut just from the normal gut movement, so the final colic could have happened at any time. They also confirmed that all of the symptoms I had been battling in him for the previous few years - the laminitis, the allergic COPD symptoms, the hind-gut bloating - were all more than likely being triggered by the toxins/hormones coming from this tumour. He also had a slightly high ACTH test result a week or so before he died, which also seemed to have been triggered by the activity of the tumour.

I wish you much strength to make the decision that you think is best, and I send healing to both you and Homer from me and my boy. Much love.

Tam/Marco

UK 2012




--- In EquineCushings@..., "andrealefley" <androbjon@...> wrote:

Homer has had colic all day,

Vet back after 2 hours, gut sounds had improved slightly, gave him 2nd rectal exam and found a mass that he described as being like a strawberry and bigger than a baseball deep inside him, it didn't show up on external ultrasound, it wasn't inside the intestine.

Surgery probably isn't an option, partly because this is rural France, partly because vet said this query tumour is very deep inside him. Vet gave him 15 L of fluid IV as said this might get things moving, and finally gave him Finadyne. That was about an hour and a half ago and he's shown no improvement. Blood tests were apparently ok, but I'm not sure exactly what was tested.

I think we're going to have to let him go as he seems to have given up and I can't let him suffer, I just want to make sure I haven't missed anything.

Sorry to post on here, it's not laminitis this time, I'm desperate.

Andrea
France/UK Jan 2010

Oh, no, Andrea - thinking of you and Homer. There are many places where surgery is just not an option, because it isn't available. (We are 12 hours from the nearest place where surgery can be done, so by the time a surgical colic is diagnosed, it is too late). This is so hard for you - I know you would do anything for Homer.

Jaini (BVSc),Merlin,Maggie,Gypsy
BC09
EC mod/support

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ECHistory/files/Jaini%20Clougher%2C%20Smithers%20BC/

He's gone. His pulse had risen to over 60 and his lactate was above normal, and he was in so much discomfort, so there wasn't a decision to be made. It was so peaceful, he's at peace now and hopefully eating as much grass and carrots as he wants. He wouldn't even eat grass and apple today. I knew this morning, even though his symptoms then were so mild, but we had to give him every chance - right to the end I begged him to get up and show us that he wanted to carry on.

He taught us so much. It's through Homer that I've learned what I have about laminitis, and because of him I've been able to help other horses with laminitis. He was only 18, his laminitis seemed well behind him, he gave Martin the best ride of his life only last Tuesday, he taught him to ride. We'll love him forever.

Thank you all for your kind thoughts, and thank you so much Dr Kellon for putting my mind at rest and making those last moments with him easier.

Andrea
France Jan 2010

Andrea -

As with so many of the horses our list members lose, I am heartbroken for you.

Linda

--- In EquineCushings@..., "andrealefley" <androbjon@...> wrote:

He's gone..... It was so peaceful
He taught us so much... We'll love him forever.

So sorry for your sad, sad loss. My heart cries for you today. May your memories of him bring you some comfort as time goes by.
Laura K. Chappie & Beau
N.IL.2011

On 12/5/2012 11:15 AM, andrealefley wrote:

Thank you all for your kind thoughts, and thank you so much Dr Kellon
for putting my mind at rest and making those last moments with him
easier.

I write with tears flowing ~ Homer did his work, his teaching and gave his love and it was time for him to go home. He was so young but he must have done such a good job that he could leave early. My sympathies with you because it is difficult to be the one left. But you did Homer proud and you did everything right. He will be in your heart forever and ever as one of your best teachers. God Bless.

--
Elva
I was a dancer. One night at a gypsy camp, I drank a potion meant for
another and lost my heart to a horse named Satin.

I'm SO VERY SORRY for the loss of Homer, Andrea. He was lucky to have a caring Mom like you who put an end to his discomfort. You will never forget all the great times you had with him. I wish he could have stayed longer to be with you.

My heart goes out to you.

Big Hug,

Lisa M. Koch & Angel Samantha
Long Island, NY
Member 2003

Oh Andrea I am so sorry to hear of your losing him. He sounds like a great horse and he was fortunate to be yours these last few years as you have done so much for him. It is always too soon to lose those we love, but at least he went peacefully and will live in your heart and memory.

All the best
George & Wind
Mica Bay, ON
EC2010

He's gone.
He taught us so much.<>We'll love him forever.

Andrea,
I'm so sorry for your loss of Homer. Bless you for having the courage to listen to him when he told you it was time. May your memories help ease the pain in your heart. Hugs.

Lavinia, Dante, George Too and Peanut
George and Nappi over the Bridge
Jan 05, RI
EC Support Team

--- In EquineCushings@..., "andrealefley" <androbjon@...> wrote:

He's gone.

.... but stabled in your heart forever..never to be lost, saved by your kindness and love..

Marianne | The Netherlands | EC 2011

Oh, Andrea, I am so sorry. How unutterably heartbreaking. You are so right, letting him go was the only option.

Fly free, dear Homer.

Jaini (BVSc),Merlin,Maggie,Gypsy
BC09
EC mod/support

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ECHistory/files/Jaini%20Clougher%2C%20Smithers%20BC/

Andrea, I am so very sorry. It's clear you loved him.

Thinking of you.

Nancy C in NH
ECIR Moderator 2003

NewEnglandEquineBalance@...

Andrea, I am so sorry. I cry whenever we lose one of our babies on this list. Please know that we're praying for your peace, and that you certainly did the best thing for Homer.

Gayle and Sabrina
3/06
Fairview, TN
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ECHistory/files/Sabrina/

So sorry Andrea! Homer will live on with you through all of the knowledge you have learned and share. I am always blown away by the depth of knowledge you have acquired because of your boy. Can't imagine the day when my beloved, crusty, pain in the butt, but I love her to pieces, Buttercup is gone. She is leading me on a journey also, so for that I will be forever grateful. I know that you will always have a very special bond with Homer because of your mission to help others, and now it can be in his honor and memory.
Wishing you peace,
Pam/Buttercup/Story/Frosty
12/10
Va