I need support from my fellow pony-owners. :( My 23y/o pinto/arab gelding, Chip, (hes 14hh so counts as a pony, right?) was diagnosed today with bilateral laryngeal paralysis... A fancy way of saying roarers syndrome... But in most cases it only partially effects 1 side, my poor boy has 80% paralysis on both sides, plus an ulcer on the left side, suspected to be caused by the paralyzed flaps rubbing together as he strains to breath (diagnosed today by video endoscopy). Treatment starts with a throat spray (squirting Rx up a tube run up his nose to the back of his throat 2x/day- hes gonna love me for that..) plus steroids/anti-inflammatories as needed...and if that doesnt show significant improvement, were looking at surgery (there are a few options for different procedures). He also can no longer have ANY hay or dry grain, EVERYTHING must be soaked to a sloppy-mush (his senior feed, plus soaked hay pellets/cubes). He was in semi-retirement anyway, but that doesnt make me any less sad about all this. Chip is my Heart-horse- Ive had him for 12 years and cant imagine life without him. Has anyone else experienced this? Encouraging words?
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 01:42:46 +0000