Roadapple Cider

My 33 year old Cushings mare is struggling. She took a turn for the worse this past Fall and I have kept her reasonably comfortable up until the last month. She is really gimpy, esp. the left front but the feet are cool and there is no digital pulse. She was on bute AM and PM when needed as per vet esp. before a farrier visit but hated the stuff. Sometimes she would eat the orange flavored bute in her low starch grain if it was left overnight. If the farrier was coming I would give her the paste AM to make sure her more comfortable....then she went totally off all feed and ate dirt right after getting a bute dose ( 1 gram ). That to me meant she was developing ulcers. So I researched and was able to put her on Previcox - the dogs med but has less digestive drawbacks than bute and she started eating again but is still really, really sore walking. She did ask to go out and graze after 5 days of not wanting to move - that is an improvement. ( I close the gate and she has free run of the farm to graze wherever and visit any of the other pastures with her daughter and friends ). But even though we are better and no GI upsets on the Previcox, she is still very stiff and ouchy - still with no heat or Digital pulse. Her eyes are still bright and she is interested in Life. Anybody with ANY input would be appreciated.

Are there other sites that you can recommend?

We can share our experiences and help others.

Fees may be regional and it would be interesting to compare. My last spay was $1100 Northeast.

Did you pay a stud fee- how much- contract yes or no

Litter cost - approx $1500 to weaning at 8 weeks includes 3 wormings, 1 vax, food and litter registration - no whelping complications

What are the expenses in your area?

My chickens are free ranging so when, Rufus the Buff Orph. rooster, came into the barn for the night and was walking stiff legged on one leg I thought he must have pulled it or gotten it tangled in some vines.

I couldn't find anything wrong with it. It's been a while now and he still throws that leg out straight before putting it down. My daughter said she had a chicken that did that and after putting her on an antibiotic for an unrelated problem, she noticed the hen was walking fine again.

Is there some sort of infection that could cause this? What is it called and how is it treated?

Thanks.

Read the story. I don't understand what possesses people to do these types of crimes.

http://www.thedarque.com/