This message is from: Starfire Farm <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Marge Littleboy wrote: Things are not looking good as she has had another relapse this weekend. > I do not think we are going to pull her through this. If we do get her > through this, what will her quality of life be? > > Dear Marge, My parents have a now 20 year old appaloosa gelding which suffered a case of laminitis which sounds very similar to your Asta. He was in severe pain for many weeks, even though he was on an incredibly heavy regimin of pain killers. The severity of the rotation of the coffin bone increased a few weeks after the initial onset, just to the point of the coffin bone coming through the sole of the hoof. Poor Sam would hang his head and rock from one side to the other in an effort to relieve the pressure. It was touch and go, and they had many serious discussions about whether or not to have him humanely destroyed. It has been a year now, and Sam is no longer in pain. He has lost a lot of weight, due to putting him on a diet in an effort to keep the weight off his feet. His soles are very soft and translucent, but he is now in "normal" shoes. He is completely off any medication. The best part is, he is like his old self, and is enjoying life as he did in the past. They are very careful with his diet, and the veterinarian has not recommended that he receive any more exercise than hand walking, but they hope to be able to ride him again in the future. I saw him the other day and was amazed, at 20 years old, at how good he looks (better than most half his age!) There is hope! Hang in there! Beth and Sandy Starfire Farm
