I’m sick. So is Dodger.






I cannot ever remember feeling so sick from a cold or flu – or whatever has got me in its grips.

My head hurts, my eyes hurt, my body aches, my teeth hurt… there isn’t enough Kleenex to stop my nose.. and the cough.  Ugh.

This was the first morning in as long as I’ve had email that I didn’t check it.

After several ringing phones went unanswered, Hubby came in to gently tell me that work was trying to get ahold of me.

Of course.

I did my best but after feebly tending to the work emergency, I fell right back into bed.

At feeding time, I dragged my pitiful self out and threw hay.

It was then I noticed that Dodger wasn’t eating.  5:30pm  (Dodger is my twentysomething Shetland I purchased at a livestock auction for his meat price of $23.97.  That was 16 years ago…)

Great.

With the tiny bit of strength I had left over from pitching flakes, I haltered him and brought my sweet pony inside.  I pulled out the Colic Relief that I have had in my cupboard for 3 years and administered it to him at 5:45pm.

(Actually, I had to run (amble)  inside with the bottle because I didn’t have my glasses on and couldn’t read the instructions… note to self, write instructions big and bold on the bottle and then put it away for 3 years…)

At 6:00, I gave him Banamine and called the vet.

Now we wait.

Dodger in the stall, clearly buggy eyed and in pain.  I put his mane and forelock in silly bands because he was hot.

Dodger in the stall, clearly buggy eyed and in pain. I put his mane and forelock in silly bands because he was hot.

Of course, this happens on the day I can’t even walk to the barn without feeling like I am going to hurl.

I also called a new vet that I knew was nearby dealing with PLLL’s stitches.  I also knew she didn’t have cell reception because none of us do out here.

I couldn’t drive to where she was if I wanted to.  I felt too lightheaded.

So I left her a message.  In the meantime, my regular vet returned my call and asked Dodger’s symptoms.  He said to ‘hold tight’ he’d call in an hour.

The empty bottle of Colic Relief that I had on the shelf for 3 years.  (note the box of tissues...)

The empty bottle of Colic Relief that I had on the shelf for 3 years. (note the box of tissues…)

Which he did.  At 7pm, he called and I missed it.

So I called him back and he was not available.

7:06pm:  I sloughed back to the barn and Dodger was up and alert.  The Colic  Relief or Banamine was working.  I listened for gut sounds and there were many.  Gassy and Gurgly.  Something was happening.

I felt better.

7:13  Still waiting for poop – Me hunched in the corner of his stall.

7:39:  I’m back up in the house and my head is pounding.  I just want to go to bed.  I got off the phone with the llama vet and she made me feel better that I heard gut sounds and that he has no temp and a normal heart rate.  She said she would be near her phone if I needed her.  And, I was to watch him.  If he got worse, call her.

7: 42: –Back to the barn.

His appetite has returned.  Probably the Banamine helped with that.  I let him eat a handful of grass hay per the vet.

Dodger is feeling better and eating a handful of hay.  I hear lots of gut sounds on both sides - but no poop.

Dodger is feeling better and eating a handful of hay. I hear lots of gut sounds on both sides – but no poop.

7:49:  I lay in bed

7:50:  Other vet calls and gives me close to the same report…  If he looks comfortable, wait for the poop.  If he is in distress, call.

7:53:  I go back to lay on my bed.

8:14:  I drag myself back down to the barn and hope there is poop because I really need to go to bed and take care of myself.  Both of the vets said that gas colic could take up to 8 hours – or more – to clear…

8:35pm:  No poop.  Dodger looks like his normal self with a distended belly.  He is alert and happy to eat another handful of hay.

I wish I could say the same for myself.

I took a pic of him.  I turned around to grab my box of Kleenex and below is what the puppies did for me.

8:40:  I’m going to bed.  If I wake up, I will check on him.  But for now, I am going to think positive thoughts that the Colic Relief is doing its job and that this pony Dodged another.

Get better, sweet Dodger.

He is a very good boy.

I’ll tell you how it goes in the morning.

Me – for the first time that I can remember, I’m trusting during this tenuous time and am going to bed.  Scary.

I couldn't find my box of tissues during my last trip to the barn... As I walked out, lookey what the puppies did for me.  Nice of them, eh?

I couldn’t find my box of tissues during my last trip to the barn… As I walked out, lookey what the puppies did for me. Nice of them, eh?

HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!

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HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth... if you like this, please pass it around!



6 comments have been posted...

  1. Pamela Alewine

    Oh you poor thing !! Drink, drink drink, rest if you can ( yeah right) . Sounds like some allergies ! Take some Allegra D , it works wonders .
    Oh I hope poor Dodger is better soon ! Nothing worse than having a sick pony or horse and being sick yourself.

  2. Trudy

    Oh, Dodger is adorable! I hope you both feel better soon. Funny how poop is something we are overjoyed to see when it comes to our horses & ponies. I’m forever taking note of the quality & amount of poop, only other horse/poony ppl would understand. LOL

  3. tigerose

    Well, I hope that you are feeling better my dear. Drink alot of fluid. You do not want to become dehydrated. I find that G2 (grape or orange) is quite good for this. Less calories, and it doesn’t taste like flavored sweat. :)

    I can’t believe I’m going to say this. “I hope to hear about massive piles of poop, soon”.

    It is terrible when one of our animals is ill. One feels so powerless. Just know that your animals know that you are doing the best you can, and that you love them. Very much.

  4. Joanie

    Strange thing, I just had the same thing happen with me and my horse. I had the stomach flu on Sunday, my mare was not feeling well either and finally pooped like crazy only it was really runny like cow pies. She is now feeling better as am I. Can equines and humans get the same thing?

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