Vet says; 'It's all a bit depressing really'. (Re: Cooper)

[Whatanejit]

Well what a rollercoaster of a day yesterday was.



I phoned the vet while standing the whole way on the train to Waterloo - not a good start to the morning.

The first thing the vet said to me was.........

'Oh Mrs W, its all rather depressing, really'.


He then went on to explain that Cooper's white cells are now all over the place.

The small virus load that was evident last month has gone a bit mad this month and the muscle damage has got slightly WORSE.:o

I couldn't believe it - I was sooo sure he was ok.


With no answers I was left hanging onto the luggage rack of south west trains.:confused:

I had sooo many questions and so moved hell and high water to get my teaching covered so that I could be at the yard by 4pm to see the vet in person and ask all my questions.

I'm such a woose I had a bit of a sniffle on the train on the way home.http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/Whatanejit/Smilies/Sad/cry.gif


Vet came out at 4pm to start him on antibiotics.http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/Whatanejit/Smilies/Sick/smilienurse.gif

Strangely, he was a lot more positive this afternoon.

He would like to start antibiotics as there is evidence to show that they can improve the condition even if it is not a bacterial infection.

He said he was so disappointed with the results as he thought Cooper was looking so well and a completely different horse to the one he saw 2 months ago.

Poor Coops got a 20ml syringe full of antibiotic injected into his neck muscle. Then a 10 day course of oral to be added to his feed.

More supplements, antibiotics and rest with repeat bloods in a months time again.

I forgot to ask him about a muscle biopsy which is what he mentioned last month.


Definately feel a lot better after seeing vet face to face in the afternoon but to be honest we are still none the wiser.

Vet said that half the yard could have this virus but no one would know unless they all had blood tests!


We really don't mind the non riding bit. I know that horses get backed and turned away etc - in fact - he has already probably had that done in Ireland - and he was hardly worked with us at all anyway - it is the 'has my poor boy got something sinister going on?' bit that I'm not good at handling.

He is still happy for us to walk him out and play despooking games in the school long lining in walk etc....

The muscle damage is still a puzzle - the virus could be affecting that. A good old man flu or 'gelding flu' ;)

Twas just a bit of a shock really. I was so convinced that we would be riding him out for a walk this Sunday.

I'm a bit late in posting this as I had an animal communicator get involved - desperate times - desperate actions!

Ok = you'll all think I'm mad now - no - it will confirm to you that I am mad :D

Anyway, without going into the details of that - I'm afraid we are still none the wiser.


http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/Whatanejit/Smilies/Sick/getwell2vq.gif Cooper


Just a little vid of the boy......

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/Whatanejit/th_Octfielda.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/Whatanejit/?action=view&current=Octfielda.flv)
xx

Dee

[Trace The Ace]

Dee, I would be the same as you......trying anything, so don't you go worrying about being slightly doolaly ;)

Bless him, what a terrific bond you are building though (just seeing the positives) :o

Keep going Dee you will have the biggest breakthrough eventually. I have everything crossed for you.

Makes my problems seem absolultely trivial. :o

[Stella2]

Bless you both, I would be worrying to, but of course all you can do is hang in there and remember, well cared for creatures with nasty viruses do so much better than those that are not. Rest must be very important and because he has that, hopefully, his immune system will get it together and he'll make a good recovery.

He looks fab from the still picture, what lovely colouring :) I can't play the video on my work computor unfortunately :rolleyes:

Anyway chin up (but in between there is nothing worng with a good cry). :)

[nicolaj]

Hi Dee

I'm sorry to read that you are still having trouble with your Coops.:(

I'm no medical expert so can't comment on the medical side of things, but hope it works out. Makes you realise there is sooo much more that can go wrong than the 'usual' stuff!

And to have the vet saying it's all a bit depressing! Well I can understand you feeling a bit adrift, especially on a packed commuter train.

You have done so much with Coops since you had him, that turning him away for a couple of months probably wouldn't do him any harm, let things sink in and give him an psychological as well as a physcial break.

Be interesting to know what the communicator has to say, but only if you want to share it.:)

Not straight forward is it this horse lark! Seems to be all your dreams come true and then reality kicks in one way or another!

Take care!:)

[julia gulia]

What exactly is this virus and what percentage of horses come down with it? Is there a specialist that you could call in?

[miggy]

Assuming you are insured, what about asking your vet for a referral. He sounds like he doesnt really know what the problem is, and however good and nice he is (and he sounds very thourgh and caring) , a referral somewhere where they can if necc do muscle biopsy etc on site would make a lot of sense.
Not meaning to worry you at all, just always best to "know" what the problem is in order to most effectively deal with it. (I am a vet-but small animals only)

[RustyMary]

((((hugs)))) Dee - not surprised you were sniffling, I would be too. Try to keep finding the positive side, as you are doing. He looks completely gorgeous in the video!

[Bobbin]

Oh dear, I thought he was feeling better to, you poor thing.

As for the communicator, I'm thinking of going that route myself.

xx

[julia gulia]

Oh dear, I thought he was feeling better to, you poor thing.

As for the communicator, I'm thinking of going that route myself.

xx

Why...what's going on??

[Trewsers]

Aw, hope he's on the mend soon - how very worrying for you. Fingers crossed eh?

[Lucyad]

It must be so frustrating!!!! Hope it gets sorted out soon, or at least diognosed properly, so you can know what you are fighting! Good luck!

[la society]

hi,

has your horse had any sort of swelling of the legs etc?

[mogadoga]

Aww m very sorry :( hope everything turns out ok!

Hes a little sweetie!

[Clare-22]

Oh Dee I am so sorry the news wasn't better {hugs}

Hope the antibs do the job :)

Definately don't think you are mad about the communicator, I had a reading done for my mare, it was amazingly accurate and a very moving experience. I hope the reading helped in some way for you too:)

[Skib]

Poor Dee and poor Cooper. So glam. he is looking these days, that it is hard to believe.
You know more about medical stuff than most of us too. I dont really understand what is happening only wish that it wasnt. If there was some other test suggested which you think could throw more light on things, perhaps ring the vet and ask?
It is so easy when going to the doctor for both doctor and patient under stress to leave somethng out. And only afterwards you feel you havent asked the questions you meant to.
Can understand you having a little weep. I go for crossness for Cooper instead.
And if he was that under the weather, what a good job you bought him?

[Whatanejit]

Thanks TtheA

Cheers Stella2 - I am a very positive person but we all come down sometime - this got me down but not for long. I already have in hand work games planned and just know that it may take a few months but he will be fine in the end.
The rest will be doing him a world of good.

Thanks Nicolaj - I am all for reality me and then of course I get an AC in :rolleyes: - I'll pm you the details.

Wish I could answer your question JG! Basically, medicine is able to interpret by how all the different types of white cells in your body react as to whether the body is fighting a virus, a bacteria or even a cancer (virus[ish]).
Cooper's results are telling the vet that there is a virus. How many times do you go to the docs with cold/flu/achey symptoms and they say - I dunno it must be a virus - it will run its course. Also a good excuse not to start you on antibiotics which they really try not to do these days due to resistance problems.

The most common viruses animals and humans get are flu/cold type viruses and hence why the vet references this a lot.

It really is another way of saying #I dunno!#

I think the muscle biopsy is the next resort if the Ck doesn't reduce Miggy. Vet says that viral load won't be helping whatever is causing the muscle damage in the first place.
I hope we won't need that but hey if we do that will be our January adventures. Not a great way to start the New Year.

Thanks Rusty Mary and River Wild.

Thanks for the good wishes Lucyad, Mogadoga, Skib and Trewsers!


La Society - no he hasn't - no outward physical signs at all apart from lethargy - he was found to be anaemic in the first few tests - oh yes that is right his Hb as improved and he isn't classed as anaemic anymore!

Thanks Clare - have pm'd you.

He was just an adorable mucky mess tonight.

[WYORider]

sooo sorry!! Hugs and prayers!!! :-(

[Little Dolphins]

Cuddles x a zillion for Cooper and You, Dee!

He looks so blurry gorgeous in the vid- such sparkling white bits (different picture after the rain=mud, huh?) and I love the swish of his tail at the close!

What about the, Royal Vet. College in Herts? They have ace peeps, maybe worth a try? Maybe a research bod would be interested in the mystery and want to help?

xxx Thinking of ya

[rohan]

Just watched your vid cooper is beautiful what a tail you seem to be in the same position as me with a virus/ bacterial unknown I hope every thing goes well will be thing of coops and say a little prayer that all goes well.

[VickiGG]

Hey Dee - don't give up on a communicator - sometimes (apparently) the horse doesn't like to communicate with that particular person.... and I went to a human medium here in NZ (it was a large show) and he was saying it's like lots of people are talking to him all at once and he has to try and narrow it down. At times he would get a message and point at a person in the audience - turns out they wouldn't have a clue what he was talking about - next thing the lady next to that person would pipe up - all white as a ghost - she knew exactly what he was referring to. :)

We have a girl on our yard who has tried everything and every vet to try and find out what is wrong with her horses skin (always red raw itchy) - no treatments seem to work....she has just emailed a communicator....

The Royal Vet college post made me think of the local Vet Uni here...maybe a university that trains vets may be of some use to you.....they may be interested in finding out what it is too.... :) our local Vet University helped rescue a horse that had fallen down a bank and couldn't get back up.....saved it! :)

Anyway - off track......

Cooper looks full of beans..... I bet if he does find someone to tell things to he will say he feels just fine thank you Mum. :D

[la society]

hi.

my horse had a similar thing back in march this year, his white cell count was all over the place, he was larthargic, he didnt go off his food though, but was just generally really unwell, with a constant high temp, but all his legs started to swell up, to a point where at one stage his knees would touch when he was standing,
he spent all in all 3 months on continuous antibiotics, 2 months of that was on baytrill,
the vets were completly stumped as to what it was,they said about virus's etc but in the end put it down to a severe case of septicimia, even though he had no open wounds, cuts , grazes etc,
he was the talk of the surgery for weeks, as i still dont think they knew exactly what was wrong with him,
he ended up anemic, and had to have supplements and elecrolytes to get him back on track,
he had in total about 6 blood tests, and the vet was visiting him at least twice a week,
he eventually got the all clear the end of august, and was allowed to do some light hacking,
thankfully now his fine, and back to full work, and dosnt seem to have any lasting effects,
but it was all very strange,

but my vets were talking to other practises about his condition, as they had not seen anything like it before,
and did talk about referring him to a college, but he then started to make his recovery.

i hope things start to improve soon, as i really know what your going through,
and we all hate seeing our best friends un well,

xx

[Imp]

Oh blimey Dee, isn't this dragging on! Poor you and poor Cooper :(

Are they embarking on a process of elimination as to his muscle/Hg issues? I hope they're keeping you in the loop.

I think your vet was a bit over playing the doom and gloom, WHAT a thing to say to an owner! It may be frustrating for him but to say it's depressing, he won't know the half of it from your corner... awww *HUGS*

He looks stunning still, you wouldn't guess the big guy had any issues, bless him.

For what it's worth I'm sending positive vibes to you and Cooper from Kent :p They have been known to travel a loooong way :)

Lynda x x

[newnovice]

I just wanted to send my support. My mare developed laminitis and then founder in August and it's been a nightmare. She's in a lot of pain almost all the time and I've had endless vet appts, farrier visits, x-rays, soaking first in ice water and now in warm water to try to clear the abcesses that have developed. she's been stall-bound for four months now, no riding, no turnout, no walks and in the meantime we moved 2500 miles from the east coast to the midwest and she went from a stable on full board to my caring for her totally.

I know that feeling of "it doesn't matter if I can ever ride her again, I just want her to be WELL".

I feel for you and I'll remember you and Cooper in my prayers. Sara.

[Whatanejit]

Thanks for the encouraging words LD, WYOrider, Rohan and Vicki.

I've to phone on Monday to schedule another visit and more bloods and plan to ask for the results to be posted to me.

I will mention the muscle biopsy but I would imagine that they would avoid doing it as the viral presence could be contributing to the CK not falling even if it wasn't the cause in the first place.

I don't want to put him through such a procedure unnecessarily.

What with work, Christmas and the labs closing I don't think I'll bother getting him out until after the New year. Maybe the 2nd or 3rd Jan.

New Year - new action. If things are still a puzzle then I will be more assertive. I can't help thinking deep down that this break from riding is doing the big man a world of good.

la society - goodness - sorry to hear about your horse and thanks for sharing your story. I'll keep an eye out for the leg swelling. The odd thing about my boy is that he is showing no external signs of illness apart from being quiet and a little stiff on the right rein.

Thanks for the positive vibes Imp - so you charge £40 for those - I hear that is the going rate! :D

Good to hear from you.


So sorry to hear about your mare newnovice - sounds like a living nightmare for the horse owner!:eek:

I really do hope that she gets well soon. She must be so depressed with all that box rest and feeling so lousy. (hugs)

xx

[NoviceNic]

This is a difficult time for you and Cooper. :( Give our NR boy and big hug please...Hang on in Dee. The new year will bring good news for you I am sure of it.:)

[cazrider]

Really sorry to read this Dee, and when you'd been so optimistic too. Both take a big cuddle from Sennie and me.

[coverblown]

Oh dear Dee, I have just tuned in for the first time in days. So so sorry to hear this, and from me as well:
((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))

and for Cooper too. Sorry to reiterate but he is looking pretty splendid; all down to your care.

Just don't know what to say, he is my completely fave NR horse and you have done such fantastic things with him; I am so sure that it will all come right, sooner rather than later - he could not have better care.

Anne x

[FRED]

Good luck Copper.
ok here's a few nice clips to chill out too if you have broadband, fingers crossed you like them{remember Jon Anderson of Yes and TD, :rolleyes: yup I still listen to tha old electronic stuff }

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv2FeNL8B84
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJApbbmUSvU

were amazed Dakota hasn't injured himself with his latest rug antics:rolleyes:

[Chinarider]

So sorry to hear Cooper is still not 100% :confused: :confused:

poor boy, I wonder what is at the bottom of all this ?? Lucky you have some decent vets to help sort it all out . I dont think we have anyone to do blood tests here?? I have smuggled tissue biopsy out of China in the past to send for testing, as a favour to my local vet :eek: Hope I never have to do it for my boys though , Tough wood they will be OK...

<<<< Healing Eastern vibes for Cooper >>>>

[teabiscuit]

fingers crossed Dee

my lad has not been 100% for a whole year now. got to keep the faith, they will get better

xxx

[rohan]

Just remembered something. Antibotics can sometimes cause aniema. something to look out for. Hope all goes well hugs to Cooper.

[Jenni]

sorry to hear about cooper.

Have you thought of getting him a massage? get the blood flow pumping and in turn the lymph system going to munch up the nasty stuff making him unwell.

(we've been doing lymph and circulatory system in massage and A&P class this weekend. :rolleyes: :D )

[rohan]

Jenni
good idea just remember go lightly horses are'nt as tough as people.

[Whatanejit]

Thx NN and Caz!:)

Cheers Anne - you 've always been his number one fan since I started posting! :) Hopefully all the good NR vibes will help.

That is very sweet Fred - I think I need to upgrade the broadband as the vids kept starting and stopping.

Oh some Chinese medicine vibes from CR - thankyou! Didn't know you were a smuggler too - gosh you meet so many interesting people on this forum:D

Thanks TB - good luck to you and your lad too :)

Thanks Jenni and Rohan! His anaemia has improved with the equisup which is great but thanks for the warning that it might be knocked again with the antibiotics.

Jenni, my share horse's Mum is an Equine shiatsu practitioner so she is going to do some stuff on him - I think that involves massage, doesn't it?

He usually relaxes so much when she does it his head almost touches the ground!

[valiant]

Big hugs Dee & Cooper....Thinking of you both.

Very very frustrating when you can't find the problem.

[rohan]

Hi Dee and Cooper

shiatsu is a form of massage it can wrok some very deep muscles. but as the lady is an equine practitioner he should enjoy it very much most horses do. Hay maybe she could do you as well. oooohhh the pleasure you fee all jelly like.:rolleyes: :D