Daisy was rushed to the hospital. Our beloved 24-year-old horse has been experiencing some soreness in her back right leg. After some stall rest, she seemed to be improving, but a sudden turn of events had us concerned.
Yesterday, Dr. Metcalf examined her, and after watching her walk and taking an X-ray of her foot, he set a new shoe plan for her in a few weeks.
A Sudden Setback
This morning, however, things took a worrying turn. Daisy was once again very sore, so we placed her on stall rest and awaited Dr. Metcalf’s return later in the afternoon. As the hours passed, she began to show signs of distress.
Daisy started having diarrhea—an alarming situation for any horse. To make matters worse, she hung her head in the corner of the stall, showing little interest in her hay. Faced with her sudden decline, we made the tough decision to take her to the hospital.
Tough Cookie
As we left for the veterinary hospital, our hearts ached for Daisy. She is such a tough cookie, and seeing her in discomfort was extra heartbreaking. We knew we had to act quickly to get her the care she needed.
Hospital Evaluation: A Mixed Bag of News
After our arrival, Daisy underwent a thorough evaluation. The good news? She is staying at the hospital for at least one night on fluids. Her physical exam and blood work revealed she was dehydrated, but the ultrasound and rectal exam showed everything else looked good.
Dr. Chisholm will assess her leg in the morning. She seemed to walk more comfortably after her treatment, and we wanted to let her settle in with pain medicine and fluids for a few hours. Most likely, she had done something overnight that made her leg uncomfortable, causing her to lay down more than usual and drink less water.
A Happy Sight
Upon returning to the hospital, we noticed ALL of Daisy's water buckets were very high this morning. It seems the change in weather may have led to her spending more time grazing and less time drinking.
The pain medication she received earlier may have upset her GI tract, resulting in the diarrhea. But in a happy turn of events, Daisy passed a mostly normal stool in the trailer—what a relief to see!
24/7 Care
We are incredibly grateful to get Daisy to Weems & Stephens Equine Hospital so quickly. She will be monitored 24/7, ensuring that we stay informed about her condition, whether it improves or declines.
We’ll keep you updated on her progress, and we thank you for your continued support during this challenging time. Daisy is a fighter, and with your love and care, we hope to see her back on her hooves soon!
