Re: Founder strikes - I had no idea I was watching a catastrophe unfold

Suddenly, without warning, adrienne13 exclaimed (9/1/2008 11:53 AM):
On Sep 1, 10:30 am, Ocean of Nuance <lizzardwomanRM...@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
A common cause of lameness is lameness. This is a very good thing to
remember. Things ping-pong around until they settle. It's often not
just waiting for the one injured leg to heal.

I agree - and in hindsight, as I said, it makes perfect sense. I
forgot to mention that the vet palpated strong pulses in both
fetlocks, which he said was very bad. Another symptom to look for, if
properly instructed. Chrissy observed that Founder is a disease that
is so dreaded that that it behooves a horseperson to know all about it
whether or not a vet or others explain it sufficiently.
With that statement, I must take umbrage. Would we expect a child's
parent to know all about viral meningitis without being told what
symptoms to look for? If we go to the doctor, would we be satisfied
with an instruction of, "Well, if you see or feel anything unusual,
call me"? Would we not EXPECT to be adequately instructed? Maybe
that's just my public health background - teaching, instructing,
outlining for people what MAY happen, what to be on the lookout for,
is part of good disease prevention and planning. So, I have learned
the hard way, not just about founder, but that there is a different
level of expectation in veterinary medicine and among horse people,
and that I have fallen short of those low and high, respectively,
expectations.

I just want my horse to get well. Adrienne

Stop beating yourself up. What's done is done. Personally, I agree the vet should take some responsibility - he should have *asked* if you understood what your horse's diagnosis meant, and ensured you understood about laminitis and founder, and what symptoms to look for.

Sure, you'd probably heard of founder before, and laminitis, but if you didn't know your horse was at high risk, how would you know to look for it?

You know now, and you have educated yourself, and that is the important thing. Continue to educate yourself on treatment options, and ensure your vet and farrier are well involved, and get second opinions if you are concerned about their work. Also educate yourself on prevention. You now know the symptoms, concentrate on getting her well, then concentrate on doing all you can to prevent a recurrence.

Bet of luck, I hope she feels better soon!

jmc

.

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