Saturday, April 12, 2008

Update on Dandy's Gas Colic


It's been a long hard day and my mind is mush. There's no way I'm going to get a creative post out tonight so I thought I would post an update on Dandy's condition. While I'd love to be able to say the horse is doing great, that's just not the case.

I called to check on the horse this morning to be sure he was getting his bran mash and probios in the manner the vet had prescribed. Colleen and Rachel said he seemed to be doing better. They thought that some of the bloating had gone down. So I went ahead and took care of the things I had going here before heading off to the other barn where Dandy resides.
When I arrived the first place I went was to dandy's stall expecting to see a happier horse. Instead I found a horse that was clearly hurting. The horse's bloated belly looked the same to me that it had yesterday. But it was the look in his eye and the way he was standing that told me the horse was in pain, not to mention his rapid respiration.

Colleen and Rachel gave him probios and Rachel walked the horse while I called the vet. Wouldn't you know the vet was tied up with a million things, so I spent the rest of my day hanging around the barn waiting for the vet to arrive. It's a good thing I have other horses there to keep me occupied.

I rode Storm with the help of Colleen. In addition to his bridle the horse wears his halter so Colleen can have the lead. That gives the horse some support and makes it easier for him to understand what we're working on. I am just walking him around the perimeter of the arena, working on whoa and him moving off my legs. If he doesn't listen or walks through my aids, Colleen can fix it easily on the ground. Storm was good. I thought it went well.

Then I worked Legs who is entered in the Daffodil Show at the end of the month. I am just now working him in the curb and having some problems. I'll have to do a post someday of the root of the trouble. Suffice it to say, it's another trainer type horror story. But we worked on it some and the Legs decided to spook at the beam of light shining down on the arena floor. I guess under the circumstances, it was good light comedy for me since the vet still hadn't arrived and I was really worried about Dandy.

By about three hours into this wait, I went and checked the horse over again. This time he was feeling much better. It was clear the probios had helped with his gut ache. He was standing comfortably, his eye was soft and respiration was normal. I lunged him for a bit and checked back in with the vet.

By late this evening, the horse is maintaining that status. So we're going to hold off on tubing him and give the probios and bran time to work. If the horse hasn't improved by tomorrow we're also going to but him on Ulcer Guard for a few days. In the meantime it's just watching him closely to be sure he doesn't take a turn.

All I can say is it's a good thing this horse tolerates pain as well as he does. I've seen other horses die from less gas than this. Hopefully, tomorrow the gas will dissipate and Dandy will be on the mend.

This picture and the one on yesterday's post were taken the year that Dandy and I went to the US Nationals. I've never been crazy about having my picture taken but I love these two pictures with him.

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18 comments:

  1. I LOVE both photos! You both look very happy. The first one left me in awe! Sure hope Dandy is much better soon. I'm praying for him.

    Hope to see you and Legs at the Daffodil Show. I plan to be there watching on Saturday.

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  2. Those are great photos! I was thinking of you all day today, hoping Dandy was feeling better. I'll continue to send good thoughts your way!

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  3. I hope that Dandy is feeling better. As much as I love Spring, this is always a nervous time with all that new grass. The two photos of you and Dandy are wonderful!

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  4. When I was young farmers who didn't know any better left cows and horses how to fresh green pasture and they ate too much and bloated. There was a pointed tube thing they stuck in the belly area and left the gas out. I assumed they still did that until I read your post.

    And by the way, the sound was sickening as the gas rushed out but the relief was instant.

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  5. Poor Dandy. I hope is feeling better today. I will keep him (and you) in my thoughts and hope that he can pass all that gas. For the sake of your pocket book I hope you don't have to do ulcer guard. Fingers crossed...tell Dandy we are all thinking about him and want him to get better.

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  6. Sorry to hear about Dandy, I hope he pulls through okay.

    I second what dj said about the photos, they are beautiful!

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  7. More good thoughts for Dandy. Keep us posted.

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  8. Poor Dandy Boy!

    Give him kisses for me (I feel attached to him as I do Rhythm).

    You (Dandy too!) will be in my thoughts and prayers, and keep us updated!

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  9. ((HUGS!!)) Hope Dandy gets better soon! And these photos are AWESOME!

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  10. I too love the photos. I hope he is feeling better this morning.

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  11. I hope that Dandy gets better soon. Sam had a small bout yesterday, but is doing fine....for now. Tis the season. sigh.

    Thoughts are with you and Dandy.

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  12. Hope the poor guy feels better soon.This is nerve-wracking for me,I hate colics. I love your pictures.

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  13. Oh no, that's not a good thing to have happen. Sending my best wishes for him. I can't believe he's so bloated you can see it, poor guy.

    DJ & MiKael - if you guys meet, PLEASE take some pictures together for all of us!

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  14. colic of any kind is just scary. I hope he's doing well now

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  15. Oh No!!! I hope Dandy continues to improve. And I also love those photos of you and Dandy. You must have had a very good photographer to get the lighting so nice.

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  16. Oh Gosh, hope he is better and doesn't have to get tubed. Kola will gas colic and get tubed like clock work every September, I've learned. I think it's related to falling leaves that she'll eat up, so this year, sh'e gonna be locked in the paddock earlier and I'll see if it makes a difference. Good luck with him, I hope he's OK!

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  17. That is so scary! Every horseman's worst fear....I hope that Dandy will be okay, he sounds like a tough kiddo and WOW those pictures, he is so gorgeous!!!

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  18. those are GREAT photos!!!! You and D look like a perfect couple.

    oh my! I read about Dandy's trouble. Ive been busy but not as busy as you are obviously. Ive heard of probios making a huge difference in colic....Ive never used them and hopefully wont have to. if you get a chance, Id like to hear more about Dandy's treatment.

    I am glad to read he is doing much better. Colic is awful and it scares the bejeezuz outta me.

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