Tuesday, August 19, 2008

The Waiting Game

We’re all waiting around here. I’m waiting for the vet to call. My daughter is waiting to start at a new school in seventh grade next week. My husband is waiting to hear about two big projects. Siete's waiting for her back feet to stop hurting. And I’m writing under a deadline that is coming up on Wednesday. Can you feel the tension? I should think so.

At least I'm pretty sure that I know what’s wrong with Siete. After a week-end of soaking her right back foot and then her left back foot and then her right back foot again, I still couldn’t find any abscesses. Monday morning, I called the vet, and tried to make an appointment for her to come out. It’s not an emergency, but Siete is really hobbling around in pain. As I’ve been saying over and over, I figure that the other possible reason is Lyme disease. I’ve been holding off giving her the required dosage of 80 pills a day for a few reasons. First, I thought that the vet might want to take a blood sample to see if it’s Lymes. Of course, the last time we did it, the test was inconclusive. Still, I’d like to know if the blood tests have improved and I’d like to actually ask the vet. It’s so unusual that she hasn’t called. I can only imagine that there’s some craziness going on there. Second, I hate having to crush the pills, make the concoction and jam it down Princess Siete's throat with great drama twice a day, so I guess I’m procrastinating a bit.

Today, while still waiting for the vet to call, I got a good clue that it is most likely Lyme Disease. I started to pick out Siete’s back right foot, and I asked her to step over by pushing lightly with my hand against her right hip. She squealed in pain and did this ouch, ouch, ouch hopping thing. I noticed yesterday that it looked like she was lame with a kind of hitching limp just above her hoof, in her fetlock. At the time, I thought about how last year, she was sore in her stifle when she got Lymes. So, now, a day later, she’s sore up there too. And if the vet calls, I will tell her all about this. Only, she never called, and they promised me when I bugged them again late this afternoon that one of the vets will definitely call me in the morning.

I almost started crushing the doxy and giving it to my little horse. I hate giving antibiotics without talking to the vet, so I padded Siete’s stall with lots of fresh shavings instead. It helps when she gets off her legs and stretches out at night. In the mornings, she walks with full weight on all four feet. And tomorrow, come hell or high water, I will know what’s wrong and what to do. I promised Siete that I would when I said goodnight, and I never break a promise to my horse.

14 comments:

Grey Horse Matters said...

It is unusual that the vet didn't call back, they're usually pretty good about that. You're most likely right and it is a recurrence of her Lyme's. My horses get recurrences all the time and we take care of it with the antibiotics.

I saw something in a magazine last month(Equus I think), they came out with a new idea for administering medicine to horses like Siete. They are a package of about 20 or so molasses flavored flat square strips that you roll the pills up in and supposedly the horses take the pills that way and don't know it. I will see if I can find the ad and let you know the name in case you want to try them.

the7msn said...

Waiting sucks. I'm thinking about you, my friend. Tomorrow WILL bring answers. Hang in there.

Ewa said...

Hello Victoria,
Waiting, waiting, waiting...
You brought it up. And connected with Siete's sickness.
Hmmm...
this made me thinking...

Carolynn Anctil said...

Oh, if only they could talk to us, our little darlings.

All the best to all of you and I'll send a special request heavenward to relieve Siete of her pain.

Gecko said...

Poor Siete. Hoepfully the vet will get to see her soon, it's so hard when your animals are in obviously pain/discomfort and you know it's not an emergency, but at the same time want the vet there NOW!!! Best of Luck!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Victoria! Thanks for stopping by my site. I hope your Siete feels better soon.I appreciate your visit and comment.I'm not very good at waiting, but I just trust that things will always turn out o.k...I'm hoping this for you.

Grey Horse Matters said...

Hi Victoria,
I found the ad for the medicine wraps if your interested you could look into them. Here's the link:
http://www.mediyums.com/
Hope it helps

billie said...

Wow, I hope the vet has called by now and you can proceed with whatever treatment you both decide on. It would be very hard for me to wait given the situation.

Big hug - hope the waiting game ends quickly on all counts.

Lasell Jaretzki Bartlett said...

Waiting, and Dealing with Mysteries... sort of the same theme, ya think? *sigh*

I spent the weekend waiting. For the equine tooth floater to show up. I am not known for my wonderful mood while stuck somewhere in wait mode. So I decided to make use of the situation, see what new insights might arrive instead of letting go into anger.

I guess I'm not alone in this distaste for waiting. Well, I can wait a LONG time when I really want to.

It must be especially hard knowing that Siete is in pain.

Regarding meds, I was surprised to find that Sofia will eat her meds with a little grain when I doused them with cinnamon!

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Poor Siete. I sure hope she gets some relief soon. Being in pain, especially in your legs or feet is excruciating for humans and must be even worse for horses.

I've read that when you see a horse show pain, it means that the pain is unbearablem, because, in the wild, showing pain, means showing weakness. And predators pick up on that quickly.
It's not normal for a horse to show pain. Poor girl.

Can you drive her to the vet or find a different one?
I'd be so worried. Heck, I'm worried now and she's not even my horse. :(

I hope you find some answers tomorrow and that some of your waiting can be over.....

Mrs. Mom said...

Hi Victoria- Surely hope that the news at the end of your waiting game is decent news for Siete. Have been keeping fingers crossed for you here!

Looking forward to hearing the results of the vet visit, and praying that all goes well for you.

AnnL said...

I do hope the vet has called and come out to look at Siete by now and that treatment, for whatever it is, is under way.

Ann

Callie said...

OH, I hope that Siete is OK. I know nothing of Lymes disease in horses.

Deejbrown said...

I hate, hate, hate, ticks.