Post by ljbrooks on Jan 29, 2007 0:45:18 GMT -5
Chelsea (cgreen) also has a Sarge that was on the lot before this guy. I believe he is a QH if that's the one you were looking for. ;D
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Sarge - The feedlot owner told us this horse was used as a police horse. He is too thin for us to ride so this information is just anecdotal since we cannot confirm his ridability because of his current physical condition. He is blind in the right eye (see picture). However, he's not spooky at all and he jogged sound at the time of assessment. Let's give this old guy a nice home to retire to -- he deserves to be well cared for his many years of dutiful service to people.
$500
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We're giving him a shot. It's up to him. He'll get everything he needs. I hope he takes it and lives for many more years. How am I possibly in love with this horse already? I gotta go give him his 3rd meal of the day now. He (and Oscar ) eat like there's no tomorrow. And for awhile, there wasn't. Keep going on those lot horses. No one deserves to look like this. Especially one who has served so well. ^%$@!)?><@!
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The plot thickens...
Sarge has a brand on his neck (did we already know that?) that looks like a backslash, "L", and 1/2 a "T".
He also (I'm pretty sure) has a tattoo. He has some pigment under his lip and some of it doesn't look like it's from God's rainbow. Looks like it will be very difficult to read.
He gobbled up a little bit of senior and alfalfa pellets, soaked. I was cleaning him up with a soft cloth and there were so many little abrasions and some deeper cuts on his legs with proud flesh. I eventually hosed him off gently and he stood pretty well for that. I scrubbed out the cuts and applied ointment. The flies were going nuts over all the sores, so I tried a fly sheet. He didn't care. I also got the dirt-infested scab off near his blind eye. I didn't want flies back in it, so tried a mask. Didn't care at all. This horse has had alot done to him. He is very easy.
He gives very slobbery kisses.
I don't think the lump under his chest is a big deal. It is soft and seems to be mostly loose skin and swelling. Who knows? We'll find out soon enough.
* * * *
Sarge whinnied for Oscar for about 20 minutes after Oscar boarded his limo for the final leg of his journey. I took Sarge his afternoon mash (he'd better not get too used to this 3 meals a day thing ) to give him something else to think about and it worked.
Vet is closed today and since he isn't in an emergency state, I'm going to wait until tomorrow. He is ravenous. I wonder if he didn't get to the food much at the lot. Perhaps he was too absorbed in the girls. He is very excited about his old man mush. He eats it right up. He'll eat hay, but definitely prefers the grain mush. I have him on alfalfa pellets, Nutrena Senior, Platinum Performance, and a dab of corn oil. He gets free choice grass hay.
* * * *
Just got Sarge boy back from the vet. Whew! They did a number on him.
Floated his teeth. Vet said they have definitely been done in the not TOO distant past. They weren't horrible, just some sharp points and start of some hooks. All taken care of now.
Blood screen and chem panel are all good! Calcium a scosh low, but otherwise good.
He has a serious heart murmur. Vet wanted everyone to listen. It sounded like a chainsmoker running a marathon. Thump -Wheeezzzeeezzz - thump. Thump - wheezzezeee - thump. She said it may be a contributing factor in his eventual decline, but shouldn't be anything that will keep him from getting healthy in general, for now.
He has cellulitis on his left front leg. Concern about the infection going to the ligaments and tendons. I've forgotten the name of the stuff (It's for or from bovine mammary something)but I get to shoot it into the infected hole in his leg everyday and do a sweat then standing wrap. This is most likely a punture wound.
Back right has a minor infection that I get to treat and wrap.
He is on SMZ's to fight the leg infection. Also got a tetnus shot for leg infection, but waiting on other vaccinations until he is a bit better. I am also giving him a small amount of bute to control the leg pain until it heals.
Got a good look at his tat while sedated for teeth. It looks like an I4033 and then can't read the last letter/number? That would make him born in 1986, vet thinks?
Eye injury/blindness isn't painful (I hope). Punture wounds, etc around eye were removed of pus and cleaned up. I'm keeping his fly mask on for now.
I'll get some new pics of him with his head cleaned and legs wrapped. I think there are more drugs I'm supposed to be giving him, but I'll have to look and update later. I don't remember all.
Oh, and Sarge wins this round of the feeding schedule. Vet wants me to bump up to 4 feedings a day.
Thanks for the advice, Tina. You were right.
* * * *
Good news! Adam came home yesterday and met Sarge. He is fine with him.
Sarge is okay. His hind leg actually looks worse than his front now. I am changing the bandages daily but may start doing it twice to check. Vet called to check on him and was concerned so we are reconvening on Monday and will take him back in if both legs aren't less swollen and gooey looking.
He hates his antibiotics in his grain. I'm going to have to try a new approach on that. Anyone have Vetrap to donate? Just kidding. It just means I get to make a trip to Big R. Do I get some sort of prize if I use more than 5 emoticons in one post?
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Hi Rocky. Thanks for the offer on stuff for Sarge. I think we're doing pretty well. A blankie is on it's way (thanks bwyatt21!) ...hmmmm. If you have any coupons from Equus or, I think, Western Horseman from a few months ago, they have those buy 2, get 2 Omolene coupons in them. He's really going through the feed, so that would be helpful. The Feed Barn, and I think Big R, carries Omolene locally. I have used all mine. I was buying the mags to get the coupons. .
What else...Oh, Sarge made it out to the pasture today! I've had him in drylot, in QT, and his bandages were getting so dirty. I rearranged some horsies and now he has a small pasture where he can see, but not touch, any other horses. He really likes it. I need to keep him there for awhile now. He does exceptionally well with the one eye, but I don't want to "change the furniture" (AJ ) too frequently.
Adam (hubby) even commented today that he doesn't look quite so bad. He said he doesn't look emaciated anymore, just really skinny.
* * * *
Just a quick little update. Sarge's legs are healing well. The hind is still raw and open, but is not getting infected.
The front leg has shrunk in size dramatically (swelling) and the wound is about to close!
He is getting very tired of me messing with his owies, but is very polite and doesn't fuss. I can just tell he hates it. He never stomps at flies with the foot I am working with. He occasionally pulls away when it really hurts, but then gives it right back. Meaning, he brings it right back to me, aloft. He doesn't set it down so I have to pick it up again. He kind of shakes it, relaxes, then gives it right back to me. Good old boy. More pics in the next few days. Believe it or not, I have other horses and human kids too.
* * * *
Sarge is looking better. He is eating like mad and gobbles down many flakes a day. I don't even count anymore. I just toss more in when he's getting low, which is every time I go out.
Yesterday he cantered across his pasture! I have seen him trot slowly, but this was the first time he has really shown some life. He trots all over now and I've put him right next to my mare so they can bond a bit. Not together, but he is absolutely happier with another horse nearby. He's eating better next to her, as well.
Sarge is very loving. He comes to greet all of us whenever we come to his area. He is very careful around people and doesn't want to hit anyone. He acts as though he doesn't want his eye to be a hindrance to us, rather than to him. While leading, he stops and starts and turns right with me. He's like an obedience dog. My other horses lead well, but he is in tune with whomever he is with.
It's kind of funny, in that whenever Adam (hubby) shows up while I'm changing Sarge's bandages, etc. and goes to pet him, Sarge always goobers him all over his shirt. I don't mean a little dirt. I mean things are dripping off. I personally take that as Sarge liking Adam best.
* * * *
Well...I did go out to take some new pics of Sarge. They are not very good quality. Just wasn't my picture taking day. Everyone I took pictures of today looks goofy, dirty, blurry or just walking away.
He is now used to his covered area and pasture turnout. He does great in both. These are in his shelter. Notice he doesn't have bandages on his legs. These were between bandagings. You can see the Elastikon remains as horizontal stripes on his left foreleg. The left hind stripe is white hair that grew in after a scar, I believe. Swelling is down and both wounds are tentatively closed. They have the tacky, not-yet-hard scabs over them. They were both deep and the hind covered a larger area. He is starting to grow hair, very thinly, over the bite/kick marks from the lot. We'll see how much grows back. The vet wasn't optimistic that it would all grow back in.
I have a call into the vet for advice on his legs. Though the wounds are closed and no longer hot, he has some "gelatinous" swelling left on both legs. It feels like scar tissue only a bit more jello-y. I'm wondering if we missed something and it's still infected up in there (though he's been on antibiotics) or just the remains of swelling. It feels more compact than swelling. Does that make sense? I gave my Vet handbook to Adam to take on his hunting trip. So, now I wait on the vet. It doesn't seem to be bothering him.
Yes, that's a pile of manure and dirty hay behind him. Just from overnight! My mare and baby had been standing right there and I didn't want to open the gate to remove it with them right there.
I'll try for better pictures soon. Must have been the lighting.
* * * *
Vet is coming out for Sarge tomorrow. His leg is swelling again and is painful to walk on. The vet thinks the original "fear" that the infection may be in his tendons and ligaments may be true. If so, we'll start a heftier antibiotic than what he was on to begin with. Or, if it's more serious, she said we could talk about it then. Wish us luck.
* * * *
Sarge has more cellulitis and so we're back to cold hosings, sweats, and a serious antibiotic, chloramphenicol. Apparently I even have to wear gloves while handling these pills. 1 in 100,000 people (I think she said) gets a fatal anemia from a reaction to them. He is also on Probios/fastrack.
She was pleased with his weight gain. She did an ultrasound on the leg and there was just a ton of subcutaneous fluid/edema. Swelling. The leg is still painful so we're continuing the bute for 4 more days.
Here are some pics of him in his blankie from bwyatt21. He is staying nice and toasty. The nights have been cold and frosty. He is thankful for a coat that fits.
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Sarge is having a rough go of it. The swelling is down in the leg as long as I keep it wrapped and hose it daily. His skin is peeling away where the swelling was/is. It's almost like the infection is taking the shortest way out.
He is still tender on the leg, but active and eager to be with the girls. I have them separated continuously again. We just can't risk a kick to that leg.
He is steadily gaining after a couple days of not eating much. I was trying different tactics of getting him to take his antibiotics:
Dissolve and pour on grain. Hated it! Dissolved and poured on hay. Hated it! Put chunks of pills in apple slices. Hated it! Crushed and mixed them with Karo syrup over grain. Hated it! Finally, crush in blender, mix with yogurt, put in massive syringe, squirt into mouth like bute, etc. Still a struggle, but at least they go down for the most part.
He is definitely getting down how to avoid me at doctoring time. Three antibiotic sessions and leg bandaging is wearing us both down. Not in a tired way, but just sick of what has to be done. He is a trooper though. A good kind boy. We are both looking forward to the day he is healed enough he can go in with other horses. He is lonely for buddies.
* * * *
Sarge was down this morning when I went to check on him around 9am. I fed at 7am and he was limping around on the leg, but up and moving, however slightly.
I went to him and he didn't even move, just laid there breathing heavily. I called the vet and she wants to start him on an injectable antibiotic today. I will do that around noon. I continue the cold hosing, bute and wrapping. I'm wrapping from as close to the hoof as possible to the knee. It swells horribly wherever it isn't wrapped. The vet thinks it may be a problem with his lymph nodes instead of cellulitis. I forget what she called the other pathology.
I'm going to post this in other sections as well so people know what is going on.
So, five days of injectable drugs with bute as needed. If we don't see an improvement after that,...we'll have to see. I don't mean to sound dramatic (I assure you I am NOT dramatic), but I just don't want to consider the alternative. He was sighing and kind of shuddering when I was stroking his head as he was laying down today. Please send jingles.
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Hi all. Sarge was great last night. I am on my way out to feed and check on him right now and if anything has changed I will post. I left the wrap off yesterday, because it was starting to dry up a bit and it seems like I reopen something everytime I change it.
He was bearing a little more weight on the leg yesterday, but still didn't want to walk around much. His rear is getting very tense when he sees me coming, but hasn't put up much of a fuss. He'll swing his rear around a bit and then stop. I did give one shot in his neck last night, though. He seemed to tolerate that a bit better than yet another shot in the bum.
I have not tried Schreiner's. He doesn't really have proud flesh (yet). The skin is still all sloughing off, so we'll see what we end up with. I am just cold hosing at this point. I have been using an antibiotic cream on the open places and wrapping, but left that off yesterday to see if it would swell back up and it wasn't swelling much, so we're going the right direction.
Nala's mom - your guy is beautiful. He does have that same kind look that Sarge has. Thanks for showing him off!
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Hi all. We have been out of town for a few days. Hystyle was checking in and feeding twice a day so everyone was in good hands.
Sarge looks good. I just gave him his evening mash about 2 hours ago and he was bearing weight on the leg VERY well. Didn't seem tender at all. He is in good spirits and chowed right down.
It was already dark when we got home, so just by the light bulbs it was hard to completely tell, but he is looking well. I'll reupdate tomorrow (hopefully), when I get things organized around here and have more time to spend with him.
He got his last antibiotic injection on Friday before we left.
Thanks for asking Rocky.
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Sarge is doing great! I took him out of his little "cooped up to recoup" enclosure and let him out in a pasture for a bit today. He ran all over and stretched his legs. He met Gambler and ran from one end of the area and back to me multiple times. I eventually stopped him and walked him back to his pen when I saw he was getting a bit winded. He was SO happy to be out.
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Sarge is having a good old time. He and Gambler are at odds over the filly. Both feel a need to "protect" her. I have started separating the filly and her mom for an hour or two at a time and putting her in with either Gambler or Sarge. We tried both old guys together with her and they actually argue over her. They're both blind in one eye, you'd think they would try to get along.
So, filly (Ala mode) spends time with Gambler one time and Sarge the next. They both just HOVER around her and she is loving every minute of it.
Sarge got trimmed yesterday. Leg was finally strong enough to bear weight so we could pick up the other feet. They look good!
I was late with his mash tonight (after date with hubby) and he let me know he was not pleased. His nose was in it before I had emptied the bucket. If he wasn't so darn cute and lovable, I'd try to teach him some manners. Actually, his manners are excellent. It was just funny to see him have such an opinion on the tardiness of dinner.
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Hi all. My family has been sick. Sorry for lack of updates. I have been begging friends and family to feed for me for a few days because I have just been feeling gross.
Anyway, I fed this morning and Sarge is looking good. He is getting kind of scruffy looking. Too cold to bathe and I have been too sick to brush, so he has grain mush goobers stuck to his coat and eye goobers (just normal stuff, but the blind eye waters more), that need to be cleaned.
The leg is holding up nicely. It still isn't pretty, but I have managed to just leave it alone and not pick any scabs off since it is healing so well. He moves sound and is happy. He has been out on the "pasture" (or what's left of it) all afternoon with his buddies. I'll be calling them back in shortly for dinner, once I get my sick little human to bed.
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Ummm...he's not so pretty. It was raining/misting off and on for a few days. The light is fading tonight so work with me and I'll try to get some in the next few days. Was that enough excuses? I will try for some in the next few days. I haven't taken too many recently. I'll have to get back in the habit.
I did just bring him in from the pasture about an hour ago for his mush and hay. He is so easy. I just looped the halter, sans lead rope, over his head and away we went. He is not dominant in a lead mare sense, but he is starting to show a little attitude with the other horses. He doesn't turn his hind to them, but will flatten ears if he thinks they are getting some hay that he wants. (I toss a snack in with all of them sometimes when I'm home during the day).
He is getting very snuggly, hair wise. His hair coat is SO soft. It's like he was just bathed in some girlie, conditioning shampoo. His dirty self says otherwise , but his hair is really soft.
Rocky-girl, you keep me on my toes! I like that!
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Rocky, you crack me up! I was just out with the kids this afternoon (it was soooo cold!) and thought I should run upstairs and get the camera. I had Chavez haltered, just grooming and hand grazing him and was afraid I'd "break the spell" if I left him.
I moved Sarge and the filly into an adjoining pasture to theirs, leaving the gate open so they could meander back and forth. The nights are not as cold as they were a week or so ago, but still very blustery and chilly, so he gets his blanket each night. Last week, I left it on during the days as well as the water in the troughs wasn't even melting. Brrrrrrrr! He seemed appreciative.
He is working on teaching the filly manners. When she tries to eat out of his tub of old man mush, he opens his mouth as wide as he can and just rubs his jaw over her withers with his ears pinned back. It isn't fast or aggressive and he has never removed a speck of hair, but he is just teaching her to be a good herd member. She has dried goobers all over her back from him warning her. She just waits until he has had his fill and then she'll lick the tub. He just wants her to know that she isn't the boss. He is never mean to her.
What else? His leg is looking good. The big, thick scabs are slowly falling off. I have been hesitant to pick or soak them off. It seems like just yesterday we were doing the antibiotic injections and wrapping. He and I are both a little punchy to get too agressive on scab removal. I have to get the filly her 6 month shots soon anyway, so I'll just have the vet look at him then.
I'll try for pics in the next couple of days. If it isn't too darn cold!
* * * *
Yes, he's gaining. More slowly now, of course, but still going the right way. It's kind of funny, kind of sad, how when horses are starved and you feed them at first, they like it and eat it, but it's like they're waiting for the other shoe to drop. Now, Sarge is hanging his head over the fence, nosing my shirt "Hey, whatcha got there?", and acting like he IS starving.
I guess it's like kids. When they are finally comfortable, they come out of their shell and there is no stopping them.
* * * *
No news to report on Sarge. It is raining here. All the horses look like they want to move to Florida.
Sarge eats everything I give him and looks for more. After Thanksgiving, perhaps Saturday, I'm going to tack him up and see how he does. I don't plan on riding him, but may swing up to see what life is like from that vantage point.
I am sick of the mud now. And it's only just beginning.
* * * *
The rest of Sarge's big, icky scab came off today. I didn't have time to tack him up yesterday and that was for the best. It is gooey looking, but not open, per se. I did spray some Shreiners on it, Telfa pad and wrapped. It didn't seem to bother him, though when I tried to wrap he moved away, like "Oh no! Not again!" I'm not concerned about it, it just needs to heal the tender area and he'll be fine.
And no, Rocky, there will be no pictures until I can get him somewhat clean. He sure is a big, lovey dope. I like him tons.
* * * *
Sarge got trimmed again today. His feet are doing great with the regular trims. No more flaring.
His leg is still gooey. I've been spraying Shreiners and wrapping and my farrier suggested I try Tea Tree Oil. I thought that was like for fungus type problems, but he said he has a client who used it on a similar wound and it was amazingly different in about 2 days. So, I think I'll give it a try.
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Hi Rocky, equinemom and mk...I ordered the Equaid. We'll see how it goes.
Sarge continues to plump up and is fuzzy wuzzy. He follows me around when I have food, or even the possibility of food. He's always (obviously) been tall, but now he seems really BIG. He's filling out and has a PRESENCE.
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Finally! A horse thats big enough that my heels don't click together underneath him.
I walked him around our dry lot twice, backed, did a few stops and big circles and that was it. He was perfect. Even stood completely still while I mounted. He turned his head once to look at me, sighed and stepped out. He doesn't like to turn toward his blind side (who would), but other than that, he's super good. Neck reins, but a little rusty.
* * * *
Sarge - The feedlot owner told us this horse was used as a police horse. He is too thin for us to ride so this information is just anecdotal since we cannot confirm his ridability because of his current physical condition. He is blind in the right eye (see picture). However, he's not spooky at all and he jogged sound at the time of assessment. Let's give this old guy a nice home to retire to -- he deserves to be well cared for his many years of dutiful service to people.
$500
* * * *
We're giving him a shot. It's up to him. He'll get everything he needs. I hope he takes it and lives for many more years. How am I possibly in love with this horse already? I gotta go give him his 3rd meal of the day now. He (and Oscar ) eat like there's no tomorrow. And for awhile, there wasn't. Keep going on those lot horses. No one deserves to look like this. Especially one who has served so well. ^%$@!)?><@!
* * * *
The plot thickens...
Sarge has a brand on his neck (did we already know that?) that looks like a backslash, "L", and 1/2 a "T".
He also (I'm pretty sure) has a tattoo. He has some pigment under his lip and some of it doesn't look like it's from God's rainbow. Looks like it will be very difficult to read.
He gobbled up a little bit of senior and alfalfa pellets, soaked. I was cleaning him up with a soft cloth and there were so many little abrasions and some deeper cuts on his legs with proud flesh. I eventually hosed him off gently and he stood pretty well for that. I scrubbed out the cuts and applied ointment. The flies were going nuts over all the sores, so I tried a fly sheet. He didn't care. I also got the dirt-infested scab off near his blind eye. I didn't want flies back in it, so tried a mask. Didn't care at all. This horse has had alot done to him. He is very easy.
He gives very slobbery kisses.
I don't think the lump under his chest is a big deal. It is soft and seems to be mostly loose skin and swelling. Who knows? We'll find out soon enough.
* * * *
Sarge whinnied for Oscar for about 20 minutes after Oscar boarded his limo for the final leg of his journey. I took Sarge his afternoon mash (he'd better not get too used to this 3 meals a day thing ) to give him something else to think about and it worked.
Vet is closed today and since he isn't in an emergency state, I'm going to wait until tomorrow. He is ravenous. I wonder if he didn't get to the food much at the lot. Perhaps he was too absorbed in the girls. He is very excited about his old man mush. He eats it right up. He'll eat hay, but definitely prefers the grain mush. I have him on alfalfa pellets, Nutrena Senior, Platinum Performance, and a dab of corn oil. He gets free choice grass hay.
* * * *
Just got Sarge boy back from the vet. Whew! They did a number on him.
Floated his teeth. Vet said they have definitely been done in the not TOO distant past. They weren't horrible, just some sharp points and start of some hooks. All taken care of now.
Blood screen and chem panel are all good! Calcium a scosh low, but otherwise good.
He has a serious heart murmur. Vet wanted everyone to listen. It sounded like a chainsmoker running a marathon. Thump -Wheeezzzeeezzz - thump. Thump - wheezzezeee - thump. She said it may be a contributing factor in his eventual decline, but shouldn't be anything that will keep him from getting healthy in general, for now.
He has cellulitis on his left front leg. Concern about the infection going to the ligaments and tendons. I've forgotten the name of the stuff (It's for or from bovine mammary something)but I get to shoot it into the infected hole in his leg everyday and do a sweat then standing wrap. This is most likely a punture wound.
Back right has a minor infection that I get to treat and wrap.
He is on SMZ's to fight the leg infection. Also got a tetnus shot for leg infection, but waiting on other vaccinations until he is a bit better. I am also giving him a small amount of bute to control the leg pain until it heals.
Got a good look at his tat while sedated for teeth. It looks like an I4033 and then can't read the last letter/number? That would make him born in 1986, vet thinks?
Eye injury/blindness isn't painful (I hope). Punture wounds, etc around eye were removed of pus and cleaned up. I'm keeping his fly mask on for now.
I'll get some new pics of him with his head cleaned and legs wrapped. I think there are more drugs I'm supposed to be giving him, but I'll have to look and update later. I don't remember all.
Oh, and Sarge wins this round of the feeding schedule. Vet wants me to bump up to 4 feedings a day.
Thanks for the advice, Tina. You were right.
* * * *
Good news! Adam came home yesterday and met Sarge. He is fine with him.
Sarge is okay. His hind leg actually looks worse than his front now. I am changing the bandages daily but may start doing it twice to check. Vet called to check on him and was concerned so we are reconvening on Monday and will take him back in if both legs aren't less swollen and gooey looking.
He hates his antibiotics in his grain. I'm going to have to try a new approach on that. Anyone have Vetrap to donate? Just kidding. It just means I get to make a trip to Big R. Do I get some sort of prize if I use more than 5 emoticons in one post?
* * * *
Hi Rocky. Thanks for the offer on stuff for Sarge. I think we're doing pretty well. A blankie is on it's way (thanks bwyatt21!) ...hmmmm. If you have any coupons from Equus or, I think, Western Horseman from a few months ago, they have those buy 2, get 2 Omolene coupons in them. He's really going through the feed, so that would be helpful. The Feed Barn, and I think Big R, carries Omolene locally. I have used all mine. I was buying the mags to get the coupons. .
What else...Oh, Sarge made it out to the pasture today! I've had him in drylot, in QT, and his bandages were getting so dirty. I rearranged some horsies and now he has a small pasture where he can see, but not touch, any other horses. He really likes it. I need to keep him there for awhile now. He does exceptionally well with the one eye, but I don't want to "change the furniture" (AJ ) too frequently.
Adam (hubby) even commented today that he doesn't look quite so bad. He said he doesn't look emaciated anymore, just really skinny.
* * * *
Just a quick little update. Sarge's legs are healing well. The hind is still raw and open, but is not getting infected.
The front leg has shrunk in size dramatically (swelling) and the wound is about to close!
He is getting very tired of me messing with his owies, but is very polite and doesn't fuss. I can just tell he hates it. He never stomps at flies with the foot I am working with. He occasionally pulls away when it really hurts, but then gives it right back. Meaning, he brings it right back to me, aloft. He doesn't set it down so I have to pick it up again. He kind of shakes it, relaxes, then gives it right back to me. Good old boy. More pics in the next few days. Believe it or not, I have other horses and human kids too.
* * * *
Sarge is looking better. He is eating like mad and gobbles down many flakes a day. I don't even count anymore. I just toss more in when he's getting low, which is every time I go out.
Yesterday he cantered across his pasture! I have seen him trot slowly, but this was the first time he has really shown some life. He trots all over now and I've put him right next to my mare so they can bond a bit. Not together, but he is absolutely happier with another horse nearby. He's eating better next to her, as well.
Sarge is very loving. He comes to greet all of us whenever we come to his area. He is very careful around people and doesn't want to hit anyone. He acts as though he doesn't want his eye to be a hindrance to us, rather than to him. While leading, he stops and starts and turns right with me. He's like an obedience dog. My other horses lead well, but he is in tune with whomever he is with.
It's kind of funny, in that whenever Adam (hubby) shows up while I'm changing Sarge's bandages, etc. and goes to pet him, Sarge always goobers him all over his shirt. I don't mean a little dirt. I mean things are dripping off. I personally take that as Sarge liking Adam best.
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Well...I did go out to take some new pics of Sarge. They are not very good quality. Just wasn't my picture taking day. Everyone I took pictures of today looks goofy, dirty, blurry or just walking away.
He is now used to his covered area and pasture turnout. He does great in both. These are in his shelter. Notice he doesn't have bandages on his legs. These were between bandagings. You can see the Elastikon remains as horizontal stripes on his left foreleg. The left hind stripe is white hair that grew in after a scar, I believe. Swelling is down and both wounds are tentatively closed. They have the tacky, not-yet-hard scabs over them. They were both deep and the hind covered a larger area. He is starting to grow hair, very thinly, over the bite/kick marks from the lot. We'll see how much grows back. The vet wasn't optimistic that it would all grow back in.
I have a call into the vet for advice on his legs. Though the wounds are closed and no longer hot, he has some "gelatinous" swelling left on both legs. It feels like scar tissue only a bit more jello-y. I'm wondering if we missed something and it's still infected up in there (though he's been on antibiotics) or just the remains of swelling. It feels more compact than swelling. Does that make sense? I gave my Vet handbook to Adam to take on his hunting trip. So, now I wait on the vet. It doesn't seem to be bothering him.
Yes, that's a pile of manure and dirty hay behind him. Just from overnight! My mare and baby had been standing right there and I didn't want to open the gate to remove it with them right there.
I'll try for better pictures soon. Must have been the lighting.
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Vet is coming out for Sarge tomorrow. His leg is swelling again and is painful to walk on. The vet thinks the original "fear" that the infection may be in his tendons and ligaments may be true. If so, we'll start a heftier antibiotic than what he was on to begin with. Or, if it's more serious, she said we could talk about it then. Wish us luck.
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Sarge has more cellulitis and so we're back to cold hosings, sweats, and a serious antibiotic, chloramphenicol. Apparently I even have to wear gloves while handling these pills. 1 in 100,000 people (I think she said) gets a fatal anemia from a reaction to them. He is also on Probios/fastrack.
She was pleased with his weight gain. She did an ultrasound on the leg and there was just a ton of subcutaneous fluid/edema. Swelling. The leg is still painful so we're continuing the bute for 4 more days.
Here are some pics of him in his blankie from bwyatt21. He is staying nice and toasty. The nights have been cold and frosty. He is thankful for a coat that fits.
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Sarge is having a rough go of it. The swelling is down in the leg as long as I keep it wrapped and hose it daily. His skin is peeling away where the swelling was/is. It's almost like the infection is taking the shortest way out.
He is still tender on the leg, but active and eager to be with the girls. I have them separated continuously again. We just can't risk a kick to that leg.
He is steadily gaining after a couple days of not eating much. I was trying different tactics of getting him to take his antibiotics:
Dissolve and pour on grain. Hated it! Dissolved and poured on hay. Hated it! Put chunks of pills in apple slices. Hated it! Crushed and mixed them with Karo syrup over grain. Hated it! Finally, crush in blender, mix with yogurt, put in massive syringe, squirt into mouth like bute, etc. Still a struggle, but at least they go down for the most part.
He is definitely getting down how to avoid me at doctoring time. Three antibiotic sessions and leg bandaging is wearing us both down. Not in a tired way, but just sick of what has to be done. He is a trooper though. A good kind boy. We are both looking forward to the day he is healed enough he can go in with other horses. He is lonely for buddies.
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Sarge was down this morning when I went to check on him around 9am. I fed at 7am and he was limping around on the leg, but up and moving, however slightly.
I went to him and he didn't even move, just laid there breathing heavily. I called the vet and she wants to start him on an injectable antibiotic today. I will do that around noon. I continue the cold hosing, bute and wrapping. I'm wrapping from as close to the hoof as possible to the knee. It swells horribly wherever it isn't wrapped. The vet thinks it may be a problem with his lymph nodes instead of cellulitis. I forget what she called the other pathology.
I'm going to post this in other sections as well so people know what is going on.
So, five days of injectable drugs with bute as needed. If we don't see an improvement after that,...we'll have to see. I don't mean to sound dramatic (I assure you I am NOT dramatic), but I just don't want to consider the alternative. He was sighing and kind of shuddering when I was stroking his head as he was laying down today. Please send jingles.
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Hi all. Sarge was great last night. I am on my way out to feed and check on him right now and if anything has changed I will post. I left the wrap off yesterday, because it was starting to dry up a bit and it seems like I reopen something everytime I change it.
He was bearing a little more weight on the leg yesterday, but still didn't want to walk around much. His rear is getting very tense when he sees me coming, but hasn't put up much of a fuss. He'll swing his rear around a bit and then stop. I did give one shot in his neck last night, though. He seemed to tolerate that a bit better than yet another shot in the bum.
I have not tried Schreiner's. He doesn't really have proud flesh (yet). The skin is still all sloughing off, so we'll see what we end up with. I am just cold hosing at this point. I have been using an antibiotic cream on the open places and wrapping, but left that off yesterday to see if it would swell back up and it wasn't swelling much, so we're going the right direction.
Nala's mom - your guy is beautiful. He does have that same kind look that Sarge has. Thanks for showing him off!
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Hi all. We have been out of town for a few days. Hystyle was checking in and feeding twice a day so everyone was in good hands.
Sarge looks good. I just gave him his evening mash about 2 hours ago and he was bearing weight on the leg VERY well. Didn't seem tender at all. He is in good spirits and chowed right down.
It was already dark when we got home, so just by the light bulbs it was hard to completely tell, but he is looking well. I'll reupdate tomorrow (hopefully), when I get things organized around here and have more time to spend with him.
He got his last antibiotic injection on Friday before we left.
Thanks for asking Rocky.
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Sarge is doing great! I took him out of his little "cooped up to recoup" enclosure and let him out in a pasture for a bit today. He ran all over and stretched his legs. He met Gambler and ran from one end of the area and back to me multiple times. I eventually stopped him and walked him back to his pen when I saw he was getting a bit winded. He was SO happy to be out.
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Sarge is having a good old time. He and Gambler are at odds over the filly. Both feel a need to "protect" her. I have started separating the filly and her mom for an hour or two at a time and putting her in with either Gambler or Sarge. We tried both old guys together with her and they actually argue over her. They're both blind in one eye, you'd think they would try to get along.
So, filly (Ala mode) spends time with Gambler one time and Sarge the next. They both just HOVER around her and she is loving every minute of it.
Sarge got trimmed yesterday. Leg was finally strong enough to bear weight so we could pick up the other feet. They look good!
I was late with his mash tonight (after date with hubby) and he let me know he was not pleased. His nose was in it before I had emptied the bucket. If he wasn't so darn cute and lovable, I'd try to teach him some manners. Actually, his manners are excellent. It was just funny to see him have such an opinion on the tardiness of dinner.
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Hi all. My family has been sick. Sorry for lack of updates. I have been begging friends and family to feed for me for a few days because I have just been feeling gross.
Anyway, I fed this morning and Sarge is looking good. He is getting kind of scruffy looking. Too cold to bathe and I have been too sick to brush, so he has grain mush goobers stuck to his coat and eye goobers (just normal stuff, but the blind eye waters more), that need to be cleaned.
The leg is holding up nicely. It still isn't pretty, but I have managed to just leave it alone and not pick any scabs off since it is healing so well. He moves sound and is happy. He has been out on the "pasture" (or what's left of it) all afternoon with his buddies. I'll be calling them back in shortly for dinner, once I get my sick little human to bed.
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Ummm...he's not so pretty. It was raining/misting off and on for a few days. The light is fading tonight so work with me and I'll try to get some in the next few days. Was that enough excuses? I will try for some in the next few days. I haven't taken too many recently. I'll have to get back in the habit.
I did just bring him in from the pasture about an hour ago for his mush and hay. He is so easy. I just looped the halter, sans lead rope, over his head and away we went. He is not dominant in a lead mare sense, but he is starting to show a little attitude with the other horses. He doesn't turn his hind to them, but will flatten ears if he thinks they are getting some hay that he wants. (I toss a snack in with all of them sometimes when I'm home during the day).
He is getting very snuggly, hair wise. His hair coat is SO soft. It's like he was just bathed in some girlie, conditioning shampoo. His dirty self says otherwise , but his hair is really soft.
Rocky-girl, you keep me on my toes! I like that!
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Rocky, you crack me up! I was just out with the kids this afternoon (it was soooo cold!) and thought I should run upstairs and get the camera. I had Chavez haltered, just grooming and hand grazing him and was afraid I'd "break the spell" if I left him.
I moved Sarge and the filly into an adjoining pasture to theirs, leaving the gate open so they could meander back and forth. The nights are not as cold as they were a week or so ago, but still very blustery and chilly, so he gets his blanket each night. Last week, I left it on during the days as well as the water in the troughs wasn't even melting. Brrrrrrrr! He seemed appreciative.
He is working on teaching the filly manners. When she tries to eat out of his tub of old man mush, he opens his mouth as wide as he can and just rubs his jaw over her withers with his ears pinned back. It isn't fast or aggressive and he has never removed a speck of hair, but he is just teaching her to be a good herd member. She has dried goobers all over her back from him warning her. She just waits until he has had his fill and then she'll lick the tub. He just wants her to know that she isn't the boss. He is never mean to her.
What else? His leg is looking good. The big, thick scabs are slowly falling off. I have been hesitant to pick or soak them off. It seems like just yesterday we were doing the antibiotic injections and wrapping. He and I are both a little punchy to get too agressive on scab removal. I have to get the filly her 6 month shots soon anyway, so I'll just have the vet look at him then.
I'll try for pics in the next couple of days. If it isn't too darn cold!
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Yes, he's gaining. More slowly now, of course, but still going the right way. It's kind of funny, kind of sad, how when horses are starved and you feed them at first, they like it and eat it, but it's like they're waiting for the other shoe to drop. Now, Sarge is hanging his head over the fence, nosing my shirt "Hey, whatcha got there?", and acting like he IS starving.
I guess it's like kids. When they are finally comfortable, they come out of their shell and there is no stopping them.
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No news to report on Sarge. It is raining here. All the horses look like they want to move to Florida.
Sarge eats everything I give him and looks for more. After Thanksgiving, perhaps Saturday, I'm going to tack him up and see how he does. I don't plan on riding him, but may swing up to see what life is like from that vantage point.
I am sick of the mud now. And it's only just beginning.
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The rest of Sarge's big, icky scab came off today. I didn't have time to tack him up yesterday and that was for the best. It is gooey looking, but not open, per se. I did spray some Shreiners on it, Telfa pad and wrapped. It didn't seem to bother him, though when I tried to wrap he moved away, like "Oh no! Not again!" I'm not concerned about it, it just needs to heal the tender area and he'll be fine.
And no, Rocky, there will be no pictures until I can get him somewhat clean. He sure is a big, lovey dope. I like him tons.
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Sarge got trimmed again today. His feet are doing great with the regular trims. No more flaring.
His leg is still gooey. I've been spraying Shreiners and wrapping and my farrier suggested I try Tea Tree Oil. I thought that was like for fungus type problems, but he said he has a client who used it on a similar wound and it was amazingly different in about 2 days. So, I think I'll give it a try.
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Hi Rocky, equinemom and mk...I ordered the Equaid. We'll see how it goes.
Sarge continues to plump up and is fuzzy wuzzy. He follows me around when I have food, or even the possibility of food. He's always (obviously) been tall, but now he seems really BIG. He's filling out and has a PRESENCE.
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Finally! A horse thats big enough that my heels don't click together underneath him.
I walked him around our dry lot twice, backed, did a few stops and big circles and that was it. He was perfect. Even stood completely still while I mounted. He turned his head once to look at me, sighed and stepped out. He doesn't like to turn toward his blind side (who would), but other than that, he's super good. Neck reins, but a little rusty.