Quite a few people have asked my about this blog and the lack of update. I have to admit, there have been times when I just want to post his P&R, but the truth is I am still floating between dismay and denial.
Parlay has been hanging out. Not doing much of anything at all. He is eating pretty well-- noticeably off of his food when he is uncomfortable breathing or coughing, but for the most part, we seem to be keeping that relatively under control.
I still stay up way too late looking for a miracle or a clue or ANYTHING on-line that could "fix" him, but so far have come up empty handed.
Parlay is back to eating a normal ration of food (for him) I have him switched to Nutrena Compete (like Pennfield Fibergized, but I couldn't find that locally) and Agway Superior 12 pellets, about 3 lbs each, morning and night. He also gets about 1/4 lb of Nutrena Vitality 12, mostly so that I can get some supplements to "stick!"
Today, Parlay is getting a few of those-- He is getting Omega Horseshine for his Omega 3's, Magnesium Oxide, CoQ10 and he also gets some Diatamaceous Earth for good measure.
Bunches of carrots, peppermints, root beer barrels (which are getting harder and harder to find!!) apple wafers, ice cream cones... you know. TREATS!!
Also getting buckets of hugs (which he still hates) and plenty of begging, pleading and tears.
It is as heartbreaking today as it was several weeks ago to see him having a hard time breathing or having a coughing fit. It is hard to see him make a face when I come at him with another injection of Lasix. It is hard to think of all of the things that he was supposed to be doing in his *retirement*, like teaching my son how to canter, doing a couple of team pennings, going to the horsie BBQ's and stuff.
Now, he is kept quiet at home. He hates it. He beats on my other guys when he can. He loves to trot around and flag his tail. He drags me up and down the street when I take him out for his "walks." He screams bloody murder when I take one of his herd away.
I had thought that the cooler weather might have made everything easier, but so far, I see no correlation. He still has his difficulties on occassion and I cannot seem to find a trigger.
BUT, he is eating and in good weight. He is happy to still be the king of the paddock. He still rolls his eye at me when I go and smooch his face or insist on a blanket or urge him to eat that last little bit in his bucket.
He's not done yet.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Hi all...
Yes, I haven't posted much lately. Nothing really new to report, I guess.
Parlay seems to be stable. His heart rate is running from 54-60 and his respiration is running anywhere from 16-26. He is eating pretty well and his weight looks okay. I would love to see him about 50-75 lbs heavier going in to winter, but I am just happy that he is eating what he is eating and not loosing weight. I am still injecting Lasix as needed--6-7 cc's once or twice a day.
I have begun a regular walking program with him that he really seems to enjoy. He prances and flags his tail and pretty much drags me up and down the street. I actually think it would be easier to ride the devil! But, I digress...
A couple of notable things:
1) The nosebleeds have stopped. He hasn't had a bleeder in weeks.
2) I only did 2.5 weeks of Doxy. Didn't really see a huge difference in him, so I decided to just stop it and see what happens next.
3) My son, Justin, is convinced that Parlay is staying here so that he can teach J how to canter... (sigh)
4) Parlay seems very happy to be around. Very angry about not doing anything though. He actually ran me down last weekend when I went out to get one of the others to ride. He truly does not believe that he is retired. AND, he is pissed.
5) The weather seems to have no bearing on his condition. I was kind of hoping that it would, in a positive way. I thought that the cooler air would make it easier on him, but no. No correlation whatsoever. =-(
6) The abcesses on his legs are almost all healed. That was a pretty weird side effect, to be sure.
That is all for now. No news is good news!!
Yes, I haven't posted much lately. Nothing really new to report, I guess.
Parlay seems to be stable. His heart rate is running from 54-60 and his respiration is running anywhere from 16-26. He is eating pretty well and his weight looks okay. I would love to see him about 50-75 lbs heavier going in to winter, but I am just happy that he is eating what he is eating and not loosing weight. I am still injecting Lasix as needed--6-7 cc's once or twice a day.
I have begun a regular walking program with him that he really seems to enjoy. He prances and flags his tail and pretty much drags me up and down the street. I actually think it would be easier to ride the devil! But, I digress...
A couple of notable things:
1) The nosebleeds have stopped. He hasn't had a bleeder in weeks.
2) I only did 2.5 weeks of Doxy. Didn't really see a huge difference in him, so I decided to just stop it and see what happens next.
3) My son, Justin, is convinced that Parlay is staying here so that he can teach J how to canter... (sigh)
4) Parlay seems very happy to be around. Very angry about not doing anything though. He actually ran me down last weekend when I went out to get one of the others to ride. He truly does not believe that he is retired. AND, he is pissed.
5) The weather seems to have no bearing on his condition. I was kind of hoping that it would, in a positive way. I thought that the cooler air would make it easier on him, but no. No correlation whatsoever. =-(
6) The abcesses on his legs are almost all healed. That was a pretty weird side effect, to be sure.
That is all for now. No news is good news!!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
No News is Good News?
A few people have been writing to my email account asking about Parlay. I know--I haven't been posting.
Things here seem to be stable. That is good.
Parlay is coasting along at about 54/26 most days. Even in the heat, he doesn't seem to be really struggling. He is eating. He looks pretty darned good, actually!
So, here is the protocol of the day for the *inquiring minds*
1/2 scoop of Agway Superior 12 pellets
1/2 scoop of Nutrena Compete pellets
1 cup of Purina's Natures Essentials 32 supplement
1 cup of Nutrena Empower Rice Bran Supplement
1/2 cup of Food Grade DE
He is getting this meal 2x a day, down from 4 times a day! Of course, they have hay in front of them at all times and Parlay is out on the grass no less than 5 times a week.
Parlay is still taking the CoQ10 supplement--1200 mg a day (spread out to 2 doses. Still doing the Doxycycline for Lyme's---40 pills a day. I am also giving Lasix as needed, but no less than 7 cc's every 24 hours. In the past couple of days, he has been getting it every 12 hours (it has been really hot and humid here and it seems to affect the way he is breathing). The paste did NOT work at all. Very unhappy about that--the IM shots seem to be the best route at this point.
I supplement electrolytes when I can. Parlay hates them.
I am going to start walking Parlay daily again, as he really needs some sort of activity. He is looking for trouble with all of this time on his hooves. He still is unclear about the "retirement," thing.
I took him out for a walk last night and he was prancing and tail flagging. So much for keeping him quiet!!
When it is really hot and humid, I shower Par when I can. It seems to help him chill out and for a horse who REALLY hated baths, Parlay truly seems appreciative of the cool water on him now! He even lets me squirt his HEAD! Who would have thought it??
The coronary abscesses seem to be healing and although his hooves look a bit atrophied from lack of use, they are holding up fine. The walking will help get the hooves back in order.
I am still doing research on CHF and thinking of other ways to help my old man heal. In between that I am working, mothering, cleaning, laundering, and trying to get a ride in every now and again on my other nags.
(sigh)
Things here seem to be stable. That is good.
Parlay is coasting along at about 54/26 most days. Even in the heat, he doesn't seem to be really struggling. He is eating. He looks pretty darned good, actually!
So, here is the protocol of the day for the *inquiring minds*
1/2 scoop of Agway Superior 12 pellets
1/2 scoop of Nutrena Compete pellets
1 cup of Purina's Natures Essentials 32 supplement
1 cup of Nutrena Empower Rice Bran Supplement
1/2 cup of Food Grade DE
He is getting this meal 2x a day, down from 4 times a day! Of course, they have hay in front of them at all times and Parlay is out on the grass no less than 5 times a week.
Parlay is still taking the CoQ10 supplement--1200 mg a day (spread out to 2 doses. Still doing the Doxycycline for Lyme's---40 pills a day. I am also giving Lasix as needed, but no less than 7 cc's every 24 hours. In the past couple of days, he has been getting it every 12 hours (it has been really hot and humid here and it seems to affect the way he is breathing). The paste did NOT work at all. Very unhappy about that--the IM shots seem to be the best route at this point.
I supplement electrolytes when I can. Parlay hates them.
I am going to start walking Parlay daily again, as he really needs some sort of activity. He is looking for trouble with all of this time on his hooves. He still is unclear about the "retirement," thing.
I took him out for a walk last night and he was prancing and tail flagging. So much for keeping him quiet!!
When it is really hot and humid, I shower Par when I can. It seems to help him chill out and for a horse who REALLY hated baths, Parlay truly seems appreciative of the cool water on him now! He even lets me squirt his HEAD! Who would have thought it??
The coronary abscesses seem to be healing and although his hooves look a bit atrophied from lack of use, they are holding up fine. The walking will help get the hooves back in order.
I am still doing research on CHF and thinking of other ways to help my old man heal. In between that I am working, mothering, cleaning, laundering, and trying to get a ride in every now and again on my other nags.
(sigh)
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Sad and Angry
Yes, Parlay and I are a pair today.
My day started out rough. I woke from a weird dream about riding Parlay in a field hunt.
Parlay was his usual strong willed and strong bodied self in my dream. There was a huge, striking Bay galloping in front of us and Parlay just HAD to get in front of him... So, like always, he was muscling his way up to the front of the pack, totally unimpressed with my feeble attempts to reel him in.
And then it happened.
Parlay started to slow up before he caught the leader---I thought I was winning the "whoa!" battle, but no--it was more like the wind got knocked out of him and he started to fall and we were tumbling down what felt like a steep slope and I saw the ground coming fast...
And then I woke up with a start. Not a great way to start the day.
Of course, I throw on a pair of jeans and run out there immediately. The three jugheads turn my way and give me the look of pleased curiosity. Breakfast comes early...
While they are eating, I do my usual once over of Par. Pulse 50, resp 24. Not awful, I guess. He is eating nicely. I check over all of his *parts*. Everything looks okay. I am still nursing a bunch of abscesses that appeared on his coronary bands a couple of days ago. They are covered in neon pink SWAT. Lovely.
I give him a quick once over with a brush and step back to get the fly spray. I look him over and question what I see. Parlay is not looking so thin anymore (4 meals a day will do that), yet I still see the shadow of his ribs. But, what really draws my attention is his belly. It seems "puffy." Like, bloated maybe. Like, something I should be worried about...maybe. So, I decide to take a picture of it and forward it to the vet.
I stand there and try to get Parlay to pose. In order for him to look at me and maybe prick his ears, I throw the brush that I am holding up into the air. It promptly comes soaring back from the atmosphere and smacks me right in the head. I almost fall to the ground. Good grief, I almost knocked myself out!
Parlay snickered. Drat!
I send the pic and wait for a reply. Nothing. So, I quickly decide to boost the Lasix. It is supposed to be hot anyway and I don't want him having to struggle to breathe. After the Lasix shot, I jamb some Doxy down his gullet. Parlay snarls at me and gives me the *look*. Fine. I have to get the kid to camp and me to work anyway.
On my drive, my son and I are talking about friendship and love. He asks me who my best friend is, after him of course, and I immediately respond, "Parlay." It just came out. And then, so did the tears.
Parlay IS my best friend, after all. I used to whisper it into his ear when we were riding with my dog, Frisko, so it wouldn't hurt the dog's feelings. I used to tell him when I was out at the barn late at night disclosing the days events. I told him when we were out at our last event and he was so feisty and proud of himself.
For as long as we have been together, it seems like the time is too short now. I stand with him outside and he sighs as I scratch him in his favorite spots. I chastise him for beating up his pasture mates. I lecture him about eating properly. I beg him to get better. I listen for any advice that he cares to impart...
Tonight Parlay was crabby. He attacked his food pail and ate aggressively. I took the vitals and they were all in line with the previous ones. He was impatient with my exam and annoyed that I was taking too long to get him out to the hay.
What is he trying to tell me? Is he angry that I am sad? It all seems so unfair.
My day started out rough. I woke from a weird dream about riding Parlay in a field hunt.
Parlay was his usual strong willed and strong bodied self in my dream. There was a huge, striking Bay galloping in front of us and Parlay just HAD to get in front of him... So, like always, he was muscling his way up to the front of the pack, totally unimpressed with my feeble attempts to reel him in.
And then it happened.
Parlay started to slow up before he caught the leader---I thought I was winning the "whoa!" battle, but no--it was more like the wind got knocked out of him and he started to fall and we were tumbling down what felt like a steep slope and I saw the ground coming fast...
And then I woke up with a start. Not a great way to start the day.
Of course, I throw on a pair of jeans and run out there immediately. The three jugheads turn my way and give me the look of pleased curiosity. Breakfast comes early...
While they are eating, I do my usual once over of Par. Pulse 50, resp 24. Not awful, I guess. He is eating nicely. I check over all of his *parts*. Everything looks okay. I am still nursing a bunch of abscesses that appeared on his coronary bands a couple of days ago. They are covered in neon pink SWAT. Lovely.
I give him a quick once over with a brush and step back to get the fly spray. I look him over and question what I see. Parlay is not looking so thin anymore (4 meals a day will do that), yet I still see the shadow of his ribs. But, what really draws my attention is his belly. It seems "puffy." Like, bloated maybe. Like, something I should be worried about...maybe. So, I decide to take a picture of it and forward it to the vet.
I stand there and try to get Parlay to pose. In order for him to look at me and maybe prick his ears, I throw the brush that I am holding up into the air. It promptly comes soaring back from the atmosphere and smacks me right in the head. I almost fall to the ground. Good grief, I almost knocked myself out!
Parlay snickered. Drat!
I send the pic and wait for a reply. Nothing. So, I quickly decide to boost the Lasix. It is supposed to be hot anyway and I don't want him having to struggle to breathe. After the Lasix shot, I jamb some Doxy down his gullet. Parlay snarls at me and gives me the *look*. Fine. I have to get the kid to camp and me to work anyway.
On my drive, my son and I are talking about friendship and love. He asks me who my best friend is, after him of course, and I immediately respond, "Parlay." It just came out. And then, so did the tears.
Parlay IS my best friend, after all. I used to whisper it into his ear when we were riding with my dog, Frisko, so it wouldn't hurt the dog's feelings. I used to tell him when I was out at the barn late at night disclosing the days events. I told him when we were out at our last event and he was so feisty and proud of himself.
For as long as we have been together, it seems like the time is too short now. I stand with him outside and he sighs as I scratch him in his favorite spots. I chastise him for beating up his pasture mates. I lecture him about eating properly. I beg him to get better. I listen for any advice that he cares to impart...
Tonight Parlay was crabby. He attacked his food pail and ate aggressively. I took the vitals and they were all in line with the previous ones. He was impatient with my exam and annoyed that I was taking too long to get him out to the hay.
What is he trying to tell me? Is he angry that I am sad? It all seems so unfair.
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