Tiffany/Macha la Chica (CBER Farnley)

[Tockita]

We had to let Tiffy go tonight.

Beth had her out to go for a ride on Thursday, she saddled her and Tiff started acting colicy kicking at her belly and wanting to lay down. Pulse was normal, gave banamine but she was still agitated so had vet out. She had good gut sounds, no temp, normal pulse so he put oil in.

Friday she did OK in the AM but was depressed and lethargic in the afternoon. Had vet back out, and she palped clear (as far as he could reach) but she was dehydrated so we started IV fluids. An hour after he left I had to call him back out after 2 bags of fluid went in she had perked up and became quite agitated. She was trying to flop over in the trailer. He left Halloween with his 3 sons and came back but again pulse was only 36, and her color and refill rate was much improved. He felt she was having cramps, maybe from something she ate so he gave her a heaver narcotic and I spent the night in the trailer, giving fluids, and walking her.

Sat I continued the IV fluids (10 bags in from 5pm Friday to noon Saturday, then 4 more Saturday night)

Saturday night she rubbed her catheter half out so I had to remove in Sunday morning, but she was eating and drinking so it was decided to leave it out. She was eating and drinking some, but not full meals. We got 5-6 small piles of poop, then wet slime I hoped was the oil from Thursday night.

Monday she was still not pooping normally, was laying down off and on, and sore again. Vet came out again monday evening (with wife and sons) Pulse was 32, and she was lathargic. Restarted banamine, and gave Psyllium, Electrolytes and Probiotics.

She did really well after about an hour of discomfort and nickered to me while I got her a fresh flake of hay. She had a rough period from 2:15-345 this morning then was perky this morning, watching the dogs run around, eating good, and still drinking. But tonight she went bad again. Gum color was wrong, (Too pink this time) banamine didn't give any relief. So vet came back out and even after a tranquilizer she was still painful, and probably toxic.

As she was negative at each sand check he feels she may have had a stone or a tumor, causing a blockage so the decision was made to let her go. We all knew it when we called him. I had asked him the other day how many days can she go before she just gives up, but she never did give up. She went quietly but not quickly. They waited for me to get here before they put her down. and we all hugged her, told her we loved her, and to go find herself some grass.

The vet has been absolutely marvelous, calling to check up on her/us everyday if we had not called him. He was very thorough in questions and treatment, and very kind and compassionate.

And Tiffy has been such a GOOD girl! Easy going even if she wasn't well trained. She was kind and classy to even beginning riders. (Hard to believe she was a tattooed ex Quarter runner) Even though we only had her 2 years.. she will be missed much longer.

[swissgrl]

Kathy, I'm so sorry you guys lost Tiffy. Hugs to you and Beth.
RIP sweet girl!

[NanciK]

tock, I'm so sorry. You gave her two great years she otherwise wouldn't have had.

~~ My Horse’s Wish ~~

Could you bed me down with kindness
On the soft sweet words of love …
Could you ride me in Man’s finest,
With hands light as a dove
Could you teach me with old wisdom,
By the laws of just and fair …
Could you be my friend forever,
With a trust so true and rare …
Could you meet me on the morrow,
With grasses green and sweet…
Could you free me with out sorrow,
On the plains of loam and wheat …
Could you say farewell with honor,
On the day my life is through …
And remember me forever,
As I shall remember You.

© Barbara Dunn-Reeves 1998

[barbpurple]

kathy and beth so sorry to hear bout tiffy...just logged in for minute and saw this ,, had surgery again yesterday,, so am not up to do much again,, will call you in a couple of days,, barb

[Tockita]

Beth sent this to the wonderful vet who helped us with Tiffy along with some pictures.

Dearest Doctor B,
I wanted to send you this e-mail for two reasons. First I wanted to thank you for the past 5 days! I believe that without your help we would have given up hope so much sooner than we did. Tonight I made a difficult decision that did not just effect me, but everyone that I live with. I believe what I did was for the best. It might not have been what we all wanted, but it is what Tiffany wanted and needed. I want to Thank you for caring. The calling everyday to see how she was progressing assured us that you were concerned about her just as much as we were.
The second reason I decide to e-mail you is because I wanted to show ,as well as tell you, what her life has been like with us. First she was rescued from a feedlot in Washington in January of 2006 by a women named Jill. Jill gave her to me in November of 2006 when she could not keep weight on her in a pasture. She spent some time in our back yard just gaining her weight back. In July of 2007 I took her camping and trail riding in the mountains of Bend, Oregon. We figured out after that trail ride that she does not trailer long distances very well. August of 2007 we spent helping Angi train for the Extreme Mustang Makeover. We spent a lot of time riding together. Again thank you for all your hard work.
Sincerely yours,
Beth Mahan.

[paintmom]

Kathy,

I am so sorry to hear about Tiff!

I know I haven't kept in touch but I have have thought about you, Beth, and Tiffany often. Thank you so much for loving and caring for her.

RIP little girl ~ Jill

[Tockita]

Dec 14, 2008 20:16:58 GMT -5 paintmom said:

Kathy,
I have have thought about you, Beth, and Tiffany often. Thank you so much for loving and caring for her.

RIP little girl ~ Jill

Thank You Jill for letting us have her.

She was the first horse Beth was brave enough to ride besides her old lady. She gave her so much confidence and was a blessing in the days after her dad died.

She also toted more then a couple of Beth's friends on their first rides, and because of her we got to know a lovely young adult that took such good care of her when we let her ride her occasionally that I had no problem leasing her a sweet abandoned at the sale yard Arab mare we acquired a few weeks before we lost Tiffany.