In my never-ending search for answers or ideas for how to help my damned horse, I put in a google search...
Parlay Heart
Look what comes up!
http://www.parlay.com/p-854-heart-health.aspx
Seriously? What are the odds of THAT??
Just thought it was funny. =-)
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
It's been a long time, huh?
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.
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.
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)
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