New ECIR Group Member Shari asked me to post this message about the recent loss of her beloved Snickers.

I know you all wish her the best during this hard time. Fly free Snickers.

Nancy C in NH
ECIR Moderator 2003

Learn the facts about IR, PPID, equine nutrition, exercise and the foot.

ECIR Group Inc. NO Laminitis! Conference, Jacksonville Oregon, September 27-29, 2013.


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I just very recently subscribed to the discussion group so I didn't have a chance to complete Snickers profile or participate in any discussions. I lost my cushing's diagnosed horse, Snickers, this last Monday, June 25th. He had a life ending colic & had to be euthanized.

In honor of my good friend, Snickers, my wish is to remind those on the discussion group to pay close attention to any signs even if you think that they are connected to the cushing's disease or lack of control of the disease & be sure to have these things checked out by a veterinarian physically examining your horse to confirm it's cushing's related or look further to see if something else entirely is going on with your horse.

I gave him good care & had followed most everything that is suggested on this site for cushing's horse care, diet & medication & shoeing just from my own research before even knowing about the discussion group so that was good. He was fed an IR diet just in case even though he showed no signs of IR just to be careful.

The only symptoms that he gave that I noticed was urine dribbling & spurts, reddened membranes around his eyes which I thought was because of extra irritation because of the cushing's caused bulging of his eyes that were susceptable to more dust & irritation, a recent bout of laminitis & a change in his topline musculature & dropping of his abdomen. Most all of these things can be caused by the progression of cushing's disease as I understood it.


Cushing's disease is an incredibly difficult disease to deal with and I've found in hindsight that a person can get very caught up in the care of the cushing's disease & all of the trials of trying to determine if the symptoms are being controlled by the correct dosage of Pergolide & diet. I spent a lot of time looking for new ways to help him in any way. With so much to watch for & test for & control I overlooked symptoms of a different condition that was separate from his cushing's disease which many times can have the same symptoms thinking that it was his cushing's disease. My horse had an internal, very large tumor which didn't produce enough early symptoms for me to even think of as a possible problem & it was made more difficult with my horse's very stoic nature in dealing with severe pain. With his normal eating habits & behavior it seemed that he was making a turn for the good; recovering from his only episode of low grade laminitis that was being supervised by my veternarian & shoer. Normal the night before & at 4 A.M. the next morning he was in severe shock & beyond any possible recovery with heroic medical & surgical intervention. He wasn't a candidate for surgery. The mass had displaced his spleen & folded a portion of his intestines. Once I knew the complete gravity of his condition the decision to euthanize was the last act of love that I could give my lifetime friend so that he would not be in pain.

Missing my once in a lifetime horse, soulmate & best friend Snickers, who has been by my side for the last 22 years. My heart is breaking. We were so close emotionally & mentally that I can still feel him with me by my side. "Doulos" love is the kind that could do this.

Shari Starr
lifesongfarm@...

Missing my once in a lifetime horse, soulmate & best friend Snickers,
who has been by my side for the last 22 years. My heart is breaking.
We were so close emotionally & mentally that I can still feel him
with me by my side. "Doulos" love is the kind that could do this.

Shari Starr

I am so very sorry, it is always too soon....may you meet again some day.

--
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.

Missing my once in a lifetime horse, soulmate & best friend Snickers, who has been by my side for the last 22 years. My heart is breaking....

Shari,
So sorry for your loss. What a wonderful bond the two of you shared. He was a life long friend and you took great care of him. He will be by your side, watching over you. Fly free dear Snickers.
Laura K. Chappie & Beau
N.IL.2011

So sorry for you loss, Shari. Thank you for reminding us to keep our eye fresh everyday. May you find peace.

Pat
NC, 2012

Shari, I'm so sorry for your loss. It really sucks that our heart horses don't live as long as we do. The joy is in the time we are allowed together, so hold that close. My heart goes out to you in this difficult time.

With Deepest Sympathy,
Alf, Dare, and Saffron in NY
ECIR Support
May 2006
www.blackhorseconsulting.com

I'm so sorry for your loss, Shari. Fly free, Snickers, green grass and
blue skies forever. Amy in PA '06ish (Herbie IR, Darby, lost beloveds
on HIH site Echo, Dylan, Pebbles, Cherry, Misty who was C/IR and started
this journey)

Shari, thank you so much for thinking of others at this horrible time. You did the only thing possible, and were thinking of his welfare as always. What a great gift you gave him, what a lovely tribute you have written for Snickers - I am so sorry for his loss.


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

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

Jaini, I thank you for the thoughtful note that you sent to me regarding the loss of my friend Snickers. I'm new to this type of communication in a group discussion so please let me know if this e-mail reply has been received by you. I'm not sure hitting the reply sent it only to you or to the whole discussion group. I would like to send thank you's to the others that have sent condolences also. I also plan on sending a note to the whole group to let them know that I have a presription of pegolide 2 mg caplets to donate & I also have a bag of jiaogulan that has a certificate of analysis & a full bag of organic ginger. The group moderator said it would be ok to post the information on the discussion group at least for the pergolide. I don't have a use for the others so I'll give that away also.

This group is such a blessing; I wish that I had found it sooner.

Sincerely,

Shari
Lifesong Farm
lifesongfarm@...

Hi, Shari - your reply went to the group and to me as well. I am sure someone can use the pergolide, jiaogulan and ginger - thank you so much for wanting to send it on.

Please take care of yourself during this tough time.

I love the name of your farm.

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

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


.... I'm not sure hitting the reply sent it only to you or to the whole discussion group. I would like to send thank you's to the others that have sent condolences also........