A Visit by the Vet..

Today, Monday, Heather was seen by a vet. Unfortunately I was at work, but managed to visit mid afternoon. Her examination revealed nothing obvious to her total lameness. The vet would like her referred to Leahurst animal hospital. Unfortunately the costs are prohibitive. The scab which had formed on the small wound was opened up. She has been prescribed anti-biotics. I'm not sure which but the vet administered either a painkiller or anti-biotics intravenously, which provoked Heather into her mad rearing and striking out temper. Having seen this for myself, in the close confines of a stable, she makes a very scary patient!

By the time I visited in the afternoon, she'd calmed right down. Welcomed me as a long lost friend and I took the headcollar she'd been guarding giving up earlier with ease! Happy horse!

In the evening I had my orders to perform before the vets follow up visit tomorrow. Pick open the wound and hot poultice. Apply bandages to both forelegs. Give her anti-biotics in her feed. Well she wasn't happy with the first bit!! Managed to pick her scab now and then whilst mucking out around her. Plenty of carrot bribes needed to fend off gnashing teeth. Got the poultice ready, with her nice and calm. Put it near her and all hell let loose! This went on. Tried all sorts of things, from being friendly and scratching her favourite spots to shouting and kicking her back!! No good... Tried bandaging her good fore leg. Same big fight...big fright too! Almost gave up. Carol came to help. She kept her busy with Heather's head in a bucket of feed, covering her eyes, whilst I hurriedly got the poultice on with vet wrap. Phew! But the bandages will have to wait. We quit while ahead and alive! The vet will re-visit tomorrow and see what comes out on the poultice. Meanwhile she's so greedy that feeding the anti-biotics is not a problem. As for her condition. She's still extremely lame. However, judging by her stable stains, she lay down last night, first time since her injury. More importantly she got up, without even wrecking her banks. So she must be feeling a little better.