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Post by ann0bella on Feb 19, 2015 14:00:45 GMT
M y horse is out on loan to two ladies,I received a phone call during the week to say the vet had been to him because of a growth on his tail that had grown rapidly,the vet suspects it to be cancer his options are having his tail removed or being pts . .my reaction first was pts he's 23 this year and a Arab his tail being abig part of him I spoke to their vets and she seems to think he would be fine without his tail but I'm not sure,she also said not to write his of because of his age as he's perfectly fit and healthy Any way one of them has offered to cover the cost of surgery quoted £1800 but I have to sign him over the other women is thinking along the same lines as me . . Has anyone's horse had this type of surgery done The decision has to be made in the next week or so
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Post by Karen, garrettponies on Feb 19, 2015 14:27:17 GMT
I'm sorry to hear of this, that must be an awful shock for you. I have no personal experience of it and have never come across it but I too would be inclined to PTS. Their tails are important to them for protecting them against wind and rain and swishing away the plagues of flies in summer. I wouldn't like to think what pain they may be in afterwards or what the chances of infection would be like. Whatever the decision it has to be the right one for you and your boy.
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Post by ann0bella on Feb 19, 2015 16:40:36 GMT
This is what I'm thinking I can't help but think that the women who has offered to take his and pay for surgery it thinking of herself rather than the horse sorry if this offends anyone but if I see a dog in a frame wheeling itself along in the park I question why anyone would to that and this is kind of how I'm feeling about taking his tail,I can see him coming home for me to be the grown up and sort him out
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Feb 19, 2015 16:43:52 GMT
Must admit at 23yo I'd pts rather than put him through the op and then having to learn to do without his tail.
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Post by Louise Dixon on Feb 19, 2015 18:29:25 GMT
What an awful decision to have to make. I am sure that whatever you decide, it will be with your horse's best interests at heart, but I would say I would agree with your first instinct and the opinions of those above, that it would be kindest to PTS.
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Post by gillwales on Feb 19, 2015 19:15:30 GMT
At that age I would not inflict an op on a horse, however when I was little I remember riding a cob who had been docked , he was fine with it.
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Post by Em5 on Feb 19, 2015 20:59:00 GMT
Firstly I would make sure the horse has had blood tests and ultrasound scan of liver to see if the cancer had spread before considering any type of surgery. No point putting the horse through an operation if the cancer had already spread.
Not any easy decision to make best of luck x
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Post by larkhaven on Feb 19, 2015 21:16:48 GMT
I think you already know the answer. Do what your heart tells you , so sorry you have this awful decision to make. X
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Feb 19, 2015 21:48:59 GMT
I too rode one that had been legally docked when I was a child. However I took it, maybe wrongly, that the vet intended to remove the whole of the tail? Those docked had enough dock left on to cover the "sensitive bits", and of course the hair still grew if left so there was a bit of a fly whisk. The reasoning at the time was to prevent the tail from getting caught up in the harness when pulling a vehicle.
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Post by Philippa on Feb 19, 2015 21:49:09 GMT
Sorry to hear this but as has already been said I wouldn't put a 23yr old through major surgery. Good luck in your decision.
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Post by ann0bella on Feb 19, 2015 21:50:35 GMT
Thank you everyone . I have my vet coming tomorrow so going to have a talk with him but I think the decisions made
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Post by robrocks on Feb 21, 2015 16:13:59 GMT
I agree no major surgery but I would check with an equine vet hospital. Arabs seem to live longer and if he has good bloods and heart then perhaps if the recovery isn't too restrictive. One thing is certain, your horse must be so loved in his loan home. It is hard for all,but horsey must come first.
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Post by Curly bear on Feb 21, 2015 16:19:02 GMT
I have an 11.2 pony who had her tail amputated over 15 years ago !! Never caused her any problems other than she has to wear a rug at all times she adapted very well right from the beginning I would defiantly not rule it out they can still have a normal life hope this helps
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Post by robrocks on Feb 21, 2015 16:28:33 GMT
I agree no major surgery but I would check with an equine vet hospital. Arabs seem to live longer and if he has good bloods and heart then perhaps if the recovery isn't too restrictive. One thing is certain, your horse must be so loved in his loan home. It is hard for all,but horsey must come first.
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Post by ann0bella on Feb 21, 2015 18:24:23 GMT
Well slight change. . .went to visit him today walked in and saw him and knew straight away he wasn't happy,i was meet by her husband the first words out his mouth "who's paying for this then " followed by "we will just put him on the knackers van " a hour later he's at home the lump is huge quiet high up so most of the tail would have to be removed they have had it bandaged and that hasn't been removed since Tuesday so I can only imagine what's under it he won't let me near it,my vet said the after care would be high maintenance I'm no quitter having saved our 3 year old after devolving her leg 2 years ago but I can see in his eyes he's not happy . .so he's got a big haynet,some painkillers, nice big straw bed and will be spoilt for the next few days x
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Post by gillwales on Feb 21, 2015 19:38:28 GMT
glad you got your boy home
sorry you have to deal with this x
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