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Post by schwung on Oct 26, 2007 10:44:40 GMT -5
Thank you both for the feedback. I think the situation is distressing because of the fact that we were in regular contact with the foster home via email and had last seen the horses just two months prior (just after the SAFE show), and they were in excellent condition at that time. I guess two lessons have been learned for us: 1) we need more even more frequent check ups (monthly? bi-weekly?) and 2) we cannot go on what someone tells us - we need to see it for ourselves. This is unfortunately true for both fosters and adopters (as the situation with JR proves).
skyline - I don't think, unfortunately, that this was an education issue. Both Dobbin and Bandit are/were healthy and in good weight two months ago. Dobbin's teeth are in good condition, and Bandit's were done this July. Bandit in fact was extremely overweight the last time I saw him, and was on a diet per the vet's advice. Dobbin was only very slightly underweight at the auction and quickly bounced back to a healthy weight, which he was also at two months ago.
I agree, let's start another thread for further discussion for suggestions.
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Post by schwung on Oct 26, 2007 10:50:49 GMT -5
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Post by Angel62197 on Oct 26, 2007 14:40:39 GMT -5
Well, I'm glad and proud to see that SAFE stepped in and did the right thing immediately. Good luck to Dobbin in his new house!
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Post by schwung on Oct 26, 2007 15:03:33 GMT -5
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Post by trillium on Oct 26, 2007 17:33:00 GMT -5
This is so sad to see. I sure hope he will be able to perk back up in no time. Poor guy.
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shekaberry
SAFE Volunteer
SAFE Volunteer Coordinator
Posts: 1,521
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Post by shekaberry on Oct 27, 2007 20:10:39 GMT -5
I took Dobbin out today so he could eat some grass and get a good grooming. He still looks thin but is in good spirits. I rode Deeds today and Dobbing was nickering at us in the arena so I thought he would enjoy some people time. I have such a soft spot for this guy, if I had an empty pasture; he would be in it for the rest of his life. He has such nice manners he would be great around little kids, nothing seems to flap him.
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Post by schwung on Nov 9, 2007 18:25:04 GMT -5
Today Dobbin got his teeth done. They were not in bad shape but had a few points that needed to be addressed, and the big concern was a cracked molar that needed to be extracted. Its certainly not the cause of his weight loss - in just a few weeks here he has put on a tremendous amount of weight - but it needed to come out and Hannah needed to wait until he was physically stronger, as the novacaine used to block the tooth on top of the sedation can sometimes cause them to fall if they are not strong. True enough, Dobbin did get pretty wobbly once she started doing the injections to numb the tooth and I thought he was going down. He moved sideways all the way over until he reached the wall and then leaned on it. That wasn't going to work so we had to move him back over, and that was like moving a brick wall, with him leaning against us! Finally we got him steadied. We got the loose half of the cracked tooth out and the other half was in very tight and had its own root structure that was still solid and enclosed so that part got to stay in.
He is doing tremendously well - can still see his ribs but they are much less prominant. I didn't see it, but yesterday Allison said he ran across the pasture and bucked! I was astonished, as I have never seen this horse move out of a walk. He must be feeling better! He also had some rain rot when he came back here and its mostly gone now, I was able to pick off the last few scabs today while he was under sedation.
Tomorrow he is moving up to Sherman's who is going to continue his rehab, and Rusty is going to come stay with me so I have the covered arena to work him in and show him to potential adopters (have several interested already!).
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Post by trillium on Nov 9, 2007 22:15:56 GMT -5
Any new pictures to share with us?
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Post by schwung on Nov 9, 2007 22:19:28 GMT -5
I didn't take any today, but I'll bring my camera with me tomorrow when I move him.
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Post by schwung on Nov 11, 2007 13:04:15 GMT -5
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Post by schwung on Nov 13, 2007 17:21:45 GMT -5
Dobbin's vet report:
Subjective/Objective: Dobbin: History/Presenting Concern: Due for extraction/float Physical Exam: Temp-98, Pulse-40 and Resp-12 = WNL (within normal limits), MM: pink, CRT < 2sec, GI +/+ = WNL. Heart, lung and GI sounds = WNL. BCS of 3.5/9, thin but has gained significant weight. Bright, alert and responsive. Eyes, ears, nose, lymph nodes, sinuses, musculoskeletal, integument = WNL other than: muco-purulent ocular discharge (mild) left eye, mild discharge from right eye. Patches of rain rot over topline, mild. Dental float/extraction: (1.5xyl,1.5xyl,1.5xyl+1/2T, maxillary nerve block, local lidocaine block) Routine extraction of medial half of 109. Lateral half firmly attached with minimal gingival recession, decided to leave it at this time and monitor for loosening/infection (extract if this occurs). Reduced minimal buccal an d lingual points, reduced ramps at 106/206 and small caudal hooks at 311/411, balanced mouth. Assessment/Plan: Bute: 1 gram by mouth tonight and tomorrow as needed. Continue to feed for weight gain. Eye: if his ocular discharge continues, then start on Neo Poly Bac eye ointment (1/4” strip to both eyes 2-3x/day for 7 days). Please call if this occurs. Rain rot: gently remove all crusted lesions. Scrub with chlorhexidine or betadine scrub weather permitting. Please call or email with any questions or concerns. Dr. Hannah Evergreen 206-940-8589 info@evergreenholisticvet.com PO Box 1494 Monroe, WA 98272
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srherman
New BB Member
SAFE Foster Mom
Posts: 9
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Post by srherman on Dec 3, 2007 11:50:02 GMT -5
Dobbin Update: He's doing well and gaining weight at an even pace. He is flirting at the back fence with the neighbors mares. I caught him trotting yesterday, so he is moving out more. The suppliment have been slow to kick in, but we are not giving up on them yet. He just needs time, and I have lots of it just for him. He's very gentle, and has the "wise old man" routine down very well. The replanted field is serving it purpose well. The weight gain is steady and he must walk to the other end of the property to get there. He needs slow excerise, with no impact to improve chest and hind quarter condtions. He acts like a lawn mower, startes at one end and works back and forth in the new pasture. The "ribby look" is totaly gone now. Dobbin DID NOT like the snow. He stiffened up quickly, and the ice gathered in his padded shoes. He still grazed well in the snow and wind out front.We watched him very closed, and monitored his confort level. He loves his new blankie!!!! He's off the beet pulp gruel now and just on orchard pellets and senior - 1/2 wet cob twice a day. Oh we cant forget the 1/2 an apple at night to his the flex-gel suppliment. Thank you Dr. Evergreen for the panocar power pac.
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shekaberry
SAFE Volunteer
SAFE Volunteer Coordinator
Posts: 1,521
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Post by shekaberry on Dec 3, 2007 15:30:11 GMT -5
I am glad to hear he is doing well. I am also pleased that the run and buck show I got from him wasn't a one time occurence and that he is moving out more!
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Post by jaybird on Dec 6, 2007 1:39:51 GMT -5
srherman, Thank you so much for being a foster parent to Dobbin. I love reading your updates because it is very very clear that you are really fond of him.
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srherman
New BB Member
SAFE Foster Mom
Posts: 9
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Post by srherman on Dec 14, 2007 12:22:50 GMT -5
Dobbin Update for the holidays... He's finally eating hay now on a regular basis. His weight is improving everyday. The hollows around his spine area are doing very well. I am pleased with the progress but he still has a ways to go. After being compromized several times in his life, and his age make things hard to correct and some times impossible to fix. But his attitude and personality make him a joy to have around. He's actually a funnny guy, and likes it here. With our bad wind storm a week or so ago the wind blew down a large tree branch and sprung the pasture gate open when it hit it. The gate was wide open all night, Dobbin just stood there and stared at it. He knows he has a good home here, no need to leave, and the grass is not greener on the other side. When I went to feed in the morning he was standing at the open gate just saying to me " look what the wind did last night, dont look at me I didnt do it!!" Then walked back to the new pasture and went back to being a lawn mower. He's like everyones favorite grandpa!!! He is showing sign of lonelyness, and spends hours at the back fence with the ladies. So after the holidays we will be taking another rescue similar to his temperment. They are like us,,, mammals do not do well alone. He needs a friend, but getting the right one is our challenge now. Jamie is working on it! I trust her, so does Dobbin. He gets perky when she visits here. Which is strange because she comes with medicine, nasty tasting stuff everytime, Dobbin still has not connected the two together. He's very trusting with us. Attention is now more important than food to him. After his leg massages are done (while he's eating) he leaves his food and follows me around. What a Goof Ball!!!! Merry Christmas to everyone from Dobbin. a picture will be posted soon. I know alot of people have him in their thought and prayers this holiday season. Now if I can keep him from rolling in the mud longer enough for his holiday postard it should be posted soon....
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