Had to read the Final Chapter... Wishing you all the best.... even tho...
Take care,
Darryl

Yes - displacement and 180 degree twist of large colon

Surgery

Google

Suffolk United Kingdom

My horse is now 8 weeks post colic surgery and I am still trying to get as much information on after care as possible. Your blog has left me with tears running down my face, I can so relate to what you have gone through. So sad to read your last paragraph, and you must still be very raw as it was only May. You have given me hope that things may get back to normal and shown me to enjoy every precious day after recovery. In the UK we seem to rest the horses for longer, 6 weeks box rest, 6 weeks very small area turnout, before starting larger turnout. However, things obviously worked for you. If you have any other tips for recovery please let me know. I\'ve had two bouts of colic since the surgery, and each responded to buscopan. I\'ve also not put Darcy on a pre and pre biotic, which hopefully will help.

I am so sorry for your loss, but try to think of all the wonderful things you both did, which you would never have had if you had not elected surgery. You are in my thoughts.

Yes. 2 horses with lipoma strangulation

Surgery for both

Google

Oregon, USA

datapilot89@hotmail.com

Thank you so much for documenting your colic surgery experience.

I went through a similar experience last year with my mare, Vicki. At 14 yrs old, she was the picture of health. Then she colicked violently last May. I\'ve had horses most of my life, and have dealt with several instances of \"medical\" type colic, but hers was different. So severe, so sudden, with no let up - the only time I\'d seen any thing similar was when I lost my beautiful gelding, Gemmy, to a lipoma strangulation in 2003. I was not surprised when the vet told me that surgery or euthanasia were the only good options for Vicki.

I had Vicki transported to nearby Oregon State University for emergency surgery. She did well during surgery and recovery from anesthesia, but developed a nasty surgical site infection and spent 3 weeks in intensive care. I couldn\'t believe it when she finally came home! She\'s since recovered fully, and has returned to the normal, happy life that she had before.

The cost of that ordeal? 5 digits for the vet and hospital bills, and weeks of apprehension, but oh, so worth it. After losing Gemmy to colic, saving Vicki felt like... redemption.

Two days after surgery, I took a picture of Vicki standing next to the office at OSU Vet school. I was in that office when I signed Gemmy\'s euthanasia papers, a terrible, terrible memory. Seeing Vicki standing next to that office, alive and on her way to recovery, is one of the greatest moments of my life.

No

N/A

Surfing

Bristol UK.

a4t4@yahoo.com would love an update!

Have just read your story, and shared your tears and hope all the way through. My daughter used to ride, mostly show jumping, but has now semi retired and runs her own private livery yard. I always played an active role with my daughter and her ponies/horses and grew very attached to every one she owned. This part of our lives was so happy and we have wonderful memories. I do so hope all is well with you, and if you read this and have the time, I would love an update on your life now. My sincere regards to you ~ Andrea

no, but had a horse named Clay; though it\'s been 30 years, I cry often as miss him so

n/a no colic story here

totally by accident. I feed/befriend deer in my home of Austin-now a poplulace who care nothing about our environment, much less the indigenous animalkind

Texas

No, just thank you.

shocked to hear how things went from \'normal\' to bad to worse so quickly....am a \'critter person\' and recently became lethargic w/diarrhea and wondered about my practically kissing my beloved, gentle, urban deer

Yes, Small Intestine Impact

enema, banamine, torbagesic, palpation, fluids, tubing, ultrasound, bloodwork, etc, etc

Through Hoofbeats in Heaven

Virginia

N/A

I just wanted to let you know I enjoyed reading Sally\'s story and of course her happy outcome!
I lost my paint gelding this past Monday from a small intestine colic. Like you I did everything possible prior to the colic to keep him healthy and colic free. I had owned him for 7 years and never had one problem with colic, until last Monday. He was fine at 7am Monday and eating his breakfast..by 10:30am he was critical and suffering. I had to make the decision to either take him to surgery or to euthanize him. Because he was a definite A type personality and 18 years old, I decided to end his suffering. It was the hardest decision I had to ever make..but I believe I did make the right one. That afternoon the vet at Morvan Park Equine Hospital called to tell me I had made the right decision. At autopsy she found a impact in the small intestine and 10 feet of dead intestine..he would have never made it through surgery or recovery. I am so devastated and heart broken, but have come to terms that I made the right decision.
I am so happy to hear that your mare is doing so well, she is beautiful and reminds me a lot of my gelding.
Good luck with your beautiful girl and thank you for sharing your colic story

Yes; she got sick on December 24th 2013

IV with antibiotics, fluid and a probiotic. She has colinitis so not colic and most likely caused by a move from a yard 9 y to a new 10 days ago. She is a sensitive mare, Alpha mare but never had coli

luck I guess by googling

Originally Sweden but live last 18 years in Cape Town, South Africa. Always had horses and owner to a lovely TB bulky 16.3 h mare Gaby who now is still at emergency. I also own her filly Biba and pony

No questions really but rather a thank you for sharing the entire journey with us. My mare got sick on Xmas day Dec 24th and still hospitalised. She is stable but now edema in colon.

So they keep her for next 24 hrs hoping the swelling or edema will reduce and then they discharge her. I hope. She has been on a roller coster so 1 day fine and then next down to colic and talking surgery but she can not do post surgery. She is a strong sensitive mare who can not take it so either she recover by medical treatment, or I have to put her down. This mare is my all. She is a lovely, hyper sensitive but winning a lot with me and she is stunning. She has a filly on 3 y who is a show stopper but the mum, Gaby, is my # 1.
I read your journey with great care and can so relate. It is not about the value of the horse, nor what other say.
It is about your connection and bond with your horse and my connection w Gaby is very strong. I read her, I spend a lot of time ground work or in stable grooming and yet, pay hefty prize for 24 hrs luxury service on competition yard. I am the only one tacking up and grooming. So, hopefully Gaby is fit by the Dr x 2 to be released tomorrow but then another journey begin. I understand it will take at least a month, if not more, for her to recover. She has been very ill. She lost to date about 40 kilo so approx 4 % of weight.
Colic can happen to ANY horse, regardless.
Thanks for sharing your story,
Best
Birgitta & Gaby

yes

shot of banamine, the tube treatment

searching web while sitting late night with colicky horse

chowchilla, Ca

no question

Found your story middle of the night while looking for help for my colicky horse. I cried ,I hoped, I was jubilant in your babies recovery! Fingers crossed for my baby. We are 24 hours after vet visit, spent all night crazy with itch, had allergic reaction to Banamine, I\'m dying inside with worry!

small intestine adhered together

surgery

search for colt 8 m onth colic and manure

Lawrenceburg, Ky

Is it normal for baby to follow same pattern of mother on colicking?

colts mother did same as he is doing about same age before surgery at 2 yr old. It has been so cold here that water freezes quickly --his intestines are immature and he is not eating enough to sustain him as he is big. He was born early as she had trouble first of month and was in hospital again. Never knew why?? seems it is same pattern but I protect them and don\'t understand .. thanks

No

N/A

CTU post for Operations Management

Baytown, Texas

None.

What an inspiring story. I have never owned a horse but am an animal lover. I was touched by your mention of the support group "Hoofbeats In Heaven" for those who have lost a horse to colic. At the pregnancy center where I work we give our clients who have suffered a miscarriage or early infant demise a book called "I'll Hold You in Heaven" to help them deal with their loss. Thank you for including this very inspirting article in your CTU post. God bless you. ~Gail~