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This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Urinary System » Discussions on the Urinary System not covered above »
  Discussion on Swollen right hock - outside aspect.
Author Message
Member:
Lindi

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 22, 2005 - 7:26 pm:

A couple of days ago our 40 year old white anglo-arab had to be put down. For 5 days when he walked and stood still, he would pick his back feet up to his belly. His belly would contract and then he would bring his feet up. He ate well but I never really saw him drink very muchin the last 2 days of his life. Our vet examined him and said that she felt he was in a lot of pain based on her exam (she said she had 3 indicators) and said that she believed his condition was neurological and that it was likely due to melanoma in his spine (he had several lumps and bumps on his body). She explained about information being passed from the brain to the feet being unable to get there. Once he died his bladder emptied and emptied (AND emptied), and she thought he was likely in bladder retention. She said that maybe some of kicking at his belly was due to being in pain from urinary retention, but that it was also possibly due to an abdominal mass. I am satisfied that she put him down for the right reason. He was 40 and had had a really wonderful life, especially in his retirement. My caretaker however is not so sure and after hearing that his bladder had been so full has suggested that maybe it was just a bean that was blocking him, and that he was kicking only because he was in pain from that. I said that the bean is mechanical and that it doesn't make sense that it would dislodge because he died. I think his blockage was due to another problem and his bladder emptied because his body was completely relaxed. I said I would ask you what you think. The question is, is if a horse was picking up his feet that way would you think "bean obstruction"?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 22, 2005 - 10:59 pm:

No, I do not think this was due to a bean Linda. Not only would this not be a action associated with the bean you are correct, it would not have dislodged.
DrO
Member:
Lindi

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 23, 2005 - 1:25 am:

Thank you for your reply. It didn't make sense to me at all but I don't have the medical knowledge and experience that you people have so I was unable to agree or disagree completely. I really appreciate your response and now I can tell my caretaker with confidence that her "diagnosis" is incorrect. Good night!

Linda
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