NO ROTATION!!!!!!

Such relief!

You see, it was the third day of the new protocol to help MamaTess through her laminitis (see protocol here) and she was only slightly better – or so it seemed to me.

I had done everything correctly so far… Her new boots had just arrived and both were on her feet…. I’ve  soaked all of her hay, she’s had hay around the clock, I only gave her exactly 3 cups of the prescribed grain supplement, she’s had all the megadoses of coxes plus the Regumate… WHY WASN’T SHE PERFECT?

Or at least better?!  Or better-better.

Ahhhhhrgh.  Why does it take so looooong?!

To top it off, besides my impatience, when it comes to my animals, I am also a supreme worrywart.

…I’m going away this week.

–As an aside, I just want to say that as soon as you purchase the airline ticket, either you get a big job or an animal gets really sick…, right?–

Anyway, I knew I was going away so I had to understand how bad it was and if there was any rotation.  So, I called the vet and asked for Xrays.

XRAYS

I remember one vet telling me that they can ‘sink’ in 24 hours.

Gulp.

I was very apprehensive for these Xrays…

And, when the newish vet came out today, I actually heard her say ‘sinker’ to the technician.

Not good.

Not good to hear and not good that she said it within my earshot.

Anyway, you can imagine my trepidation.

But, I held onto my fear and waited because I knew we had been down this road previously –

Both the vet and the technician were prepared to see the worst.  And, luckily, they were both quite surprised when the Xrays showed no rotation.

THANK HORSEGOD.

SLEEP MORE SOUNDLY

Now I can sleep more soundly.  Now I know that she has inflammation, but if I keep on the protocol, she should recover.  Now I know I don’t have to run down to the barn every few hours to make sure she is still upright.

Now I can go away knowing that my feederperson – who is very anal and compulsive  – will follow my instructions to a ‘T’ and she will be OK.

INTERESTING

As another aside, I was sent so much great information… and then I was actually sent some remedies!  They came in the mail!  Gifts for Tess!

–One was from Skodes Horse Treats!  She sent Yarrow leaves for Tess!

(If you remember, Skode’s burned down a few weeks ago…  Out of the blue, Lori sent some herbs that she felt would really help Tess.  Can you believe it?)

Skodes is open for business (simple goodies for now…) so please go to her website and order!

Well,  Tess loooooooves the Yarrow!  It was like candy for her!  I think her diet has been so blah that the Yarrow was a huge pickmeup!

Here are the generic medicinal uses –

Use flowers, leaves and stems.

• A piece of the plant held against a wound will staunch bleeding.

• An infusion can help to break a fever.

• A tea made from yarrow with peppermint and elderflower can be used to fight colds and flu.

• Yarrow can be of benefit in mild cystitis.

• Promotes digestion.

• Improves circulation by acting as a vasodilator.

• Lowers blood pressure.

— The next interesting item that arrived in the mail was Raspberry leaves.

Sherie from EquiSpa thought that Raspberry leaves would be great for Tess’ hormonal imbalance which we believe is what triggered this (and all) of her bouts with laminitis (at the end of her pregnancies and twice in early Spring).

Tess went bananas over the Raspberry leaves!!

ApeBananas!!

She forced her way into the tack room and took a big sniff of the bag!  I have to say, the leaves did make the tack room very fragrant.

Tess gobbled up her soaked beet pulp (and hidden Bute – undetected due to the intense fragrance and flavor of yarrow and raspberry).

Here are the medicinal qualities of red raspberry leaves for Tess:

The nutrients in red raspberry leaves are vitamins C, E, A, and B complex, minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and iron and antioxidants. Red raspberry leaves also contains tannins a natural astringent that can help cleanse the outside and inside of the body naturally. These leaves even contain anti-inflammatory properties that can help ease pain and inflammation safely and naturally.

Health Benefits of Red Raspberry Leaf Tea for Women

Woman and teenage girls should drink red raspberry leaf tea daily if their menstrual cycles are irregular because the nutrients in the tea can help regulate the cycles and help ease the symptoms that come before and after the menstrual cycle such as mood swings, bloating and cramping.

 NOT OUT OF THE WOODS, BUT THE SUN HAS RISEN ON ANOTHER DAY…

Clearly, Tess isn’t out of the woods and she will have to be watched closely and fed and watered meticulously.  She is insulin resistant and hormones are a trigger.

Thank horsegods she is tenderfooted and not stoic.  I am so happy that we caught this very early.

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