News
1) Shelter
In October 2004, ground of the shelter was covered with 9 rubber stall mats to prevent dirt getting into hooves and causing abscess, plywood was attached to the bottom of the fence to keep Rosebud Shavings, later replaced by Dorris Shavings with better price and consistent product, inside and make her life a bit more comfortable. Pumpkin feels better, hooves look better (they are harder and grow slower), she lays down less and walks faster.
In October 2004, ground of the shelter was covered with 9 rubber stall mats to prevent dirt getting into hooves and causing abscess, plywood was attached to the bottom of the fence to keep Rosebud Shavings, later replaced by Dorris Shavings with better price and consistent product, inside and make her life a bit more comfortable. Pumpkin feels better, hooves look better (they are harder and grow slower), she lays down less and walks faster.
2) Pumpkin's daily treatment
1/2 scoop of Aspirin Powder (to prevent spread of uveitis into healthy left eye) and 1 gram of Bute Powder (to ease her hoof pain).
1/2 scoop of Aspirin Powder (to prevent spread of uveitis into healthy left eye) and 1 gram of Bute Powder (to ease her hoof pain).
Actual amount of aspirin and bute powders, she eats, is in fact much smaller because she never completely finish her meal. It doesn't help that powder is apple flavored and mixed with a handful of her favorite Equine Senior Feed by Purina. It's impossible to explain Pumpkin what's good for her... Just keep trying...
Solution has been found: Replacement of Equine Senior Feed by Purina with sugar free Natural Glo® Stabilized Rice Bran which is a powder, so it's completely blended with both aspirin and bute. Pumpkin loves it!
Despite a short period of time of this treatment, it seems to work fine because water discharge from the right eye has significantly decreased. Starting in April 2007, I've been giving Pumpkin every day about two handfuls of LMF Low Non-Structural Carbohydrate Complete feed (I would prefer Stage1 to Complete but it wasn't available at that time), so Pumpkin can have some kind of treat.
3) Nelson Livestock Automatic Waterers
Installed in Fall 2005 and Pumpkin loves them!
Solution has been found: Replacement of Equine Senior Feed by Purina with sugar free Natural Glo® Stabilized Rice Bran which is a powder, so it's completely blended with both aspirin and bute. Pumpkin loves it!
Despite a short period of time of this treatment, it seems to work fine because water discharge from the right eye has significantly decreased. Starting in April 2007, I've been giving Pumpkin every day about two handfuls of LMF Low Non-Structural Carbohydrate Complete feed (I would prefer Stage1 to Complete but it wasn't available at that time), so Pumpkin can have some kind of treat.
3) Nelson Livestock Automatic Waterers
Installed in Fall 2005 and Pumpkin loves them!
4) Hoof Trimming and treatment
On November 29th, 2009 Pumpkin has been switched from Leslie Carrig's High Desert Hoof Care back to Frank Brown for hoof trimming. I like Frank very much, he is a very knowledgeable guy when it comes to equines and their needs. Thank you Frank for taking Pumpkin back!
Pumpkin's sore left front leg joint (it's been here since I know her and it's getting worse with her aging, probably the result of a lack of a shelter in her past) has been treated with Vetrolin® Liniment Gel w/Hyaluronic Acid for pain relieve and comfort. Another good alternative is Absorbine® Liniment gel, but I personally prefer Vetrolin®
On May 27th 2008 GBE called me with a result of the tests. Pumpkin has only been diagnosed with insulin resistance (insulin level is 114.4, normal level is up to 65) which means for her continuing of low non-structural carbohydrate diet and no sugar.
While searching the Internet for treatment of insulin resistance condition, I found a 100% all natural herbal and vitamin supplement Heiro™, which was tested in university and commercial labs with really impressive results.
On November 29th, 2009 Pumpkin has been switched from Leslie Carrig's High Desert Hoof Care back to Frank Brown for hoof trimming. I like Frank very much, he is a very knowledgeable guy when it comes to equines and their needs. Thank you Frank for taking Pumpkin back!
Pumpkin's sore left front leg joint (it's been here since I know her and it's getting worse with her aging, probably the result of a lack of a shelter in her past) has been treated with Vetrolin® Liniment Gel w/Hyaluronic Acid for pain relieve and comfort. Another good alternative is Absorbine® Liniment gel, but I personally prefer Vetrolin®
5) Insulin Resistance and Heiro™
I've ordered for Pumpkin Insulin Resistance and Cushing's disease tests. Results of both tests will be posted here as soon as I know them.
On May 27th 2008 GBE called me with a result of the tests. Pumpkin has only been diagnosed with insulin resistance (insulin level is 114.4, normal level is up to 65) which means for her continuing of low non-structural carbohydrate diet and no sugar.
While searching the Internet for treatment of insulin resistance condition, I found a 100% all natural herbal and vitamin supplement Heiro™, which was tested in university and commercial labs with really impressive results.
I told myself: "If this is the only thing I can find, why not try it?", and I ordered Heiro™ for Pumpkin. It is now on it's way from Pennsylvania to Nevada.
Shipment of Heiro™ arrived via priority mail on Monday July 7th, 2008. The container is actually much smaller than it looks on my picture and contains 30-day supply of proprietary blend of USDA certified herbs, super-concentrated Vitamin E and additional vitamins.
I started my trip to the ranch for first treatment next day at 5:30 am because it is recommended feed it once a day in early morning, before first feed, which very important!. I had to inject 15ml or 1.5 fl. oz. of the supplement (plastic cap for accurate dosing is inclosed) into her mouth (about five or six times) using a baster (I made opening of a plastic cylinder a little bit larger and secured a rubber bulb on it with a clamp for safe inserting into Pumpkin's mouth without possibility of separation and loss of her medicine) because she refused to eat Heiro™ in her treat the day before. As I said before, it is difficult, if not impossible, to explain Pumpkin what's good for her. Treatment will be completed in about 30 days, and then there will be another insulin level test. After that, I will see how good the product really is and if ongoing treatment will be necessary.
Shipment of Heiro™ arrived via priority mail on Monday July 7th, 2008. The container is actually much smaller than it looks on my picture and contains 30-day supply of proprietary blend of USDA certified herbs, super-concentrated Vitamin E and additional vitamins.
I started my trip to the ranch for first treatment next day at 5:30 am because it is recommended feed it once a day in early morning, before first feed, which very important!. I had to inject 15ml or 1.5 fl. oz. of the supplement (plastic cap for accurate dosing is inclosed) into her mouth (about five or six times) using a baster (I made opening of a plastic cylinder a little bit larger and secured a rubber bulb on it with a clamp for safe inserting into Pumpkin's mouth without possibility of separation and loss of her medicine) because she refused to eat Heiro™ in her treat the day before. As I said before, it is difficult, if not impossible, to explain Pumpkin what's good for her. Treatment will be completed in about 30 days, and then there will be another insulin level test. After that, I will see how good the product really is and if ongoing treatment will be necessary.
The blood for Pumpkin's second insulin resistance test (after 30 days of treatment with Heiro supplement) will be taken on August 6th, 2008 at 10:00 am, and I will publish the lab test result here as soon as I know it.
Unfortunately, Heiro™ failed. Last blood test showed insulin level 291 high. I'm not saying that Heiro™ is a bad product, try it if your equine suffer from insulin resistance, it just simply didn't work for Pumpkin for some unknown reason. I have no explanation for this because there were no changes in her food. I'm still in a shock. I personally think that there must be some metabolism changes in Pumpkin's body, maybe related to her age because her hooves started getting worse in about less than two years ago. I now really don't know what to do and how to help Pumpkin with her insulin troubles because there is no other medicine than Heiro™ and I don't think that simple diet will be enough. Let's see what we can come up with...
Actually, Heiro™ did not fail. After a phone call from Dr. Frank Reilly, DVM (Heiro™ developer) I know that blood for insulin resistance tests must be taken at the same time to be able to compare the results because level of insuline in blood fluctuates in the course of a day. First time blood was taken after 5 pm (when insulin level is usually low) and second time at 10 am (when insulin level is usually high), so level 291 could be actually lower than the result of the first test (114.4) if blood would have been taken also at 10 am instead of 5 pm. I will continue treatment with Heiro™ for another 30 days with following blood test (blood will be taken at 10 am again).
Results of the third insuline resistance test on 09/10/08:
* glucose level = 86.0 (normal)
* insulin level = 94.6 (still higher than normal but much, much better than a month ago).
I'm going to order for Pumpkin another shipment of Heiro™ and sometime in the future have her retested again to see, whether we can drop insulin level under 65. At this point, I really recommend to everyone, whose equine has an insulin resistance condition, to give a try to Heiro™. It works!
Unfortunatelly, after I lost my job in summer of 2009, I couldn't afford anymore to buy Pumpkin her expensive medicine. To make it work, it would have to be given to her before her morning hay which also wasn't always possible to do. Pumpkin wears boots again on her walks these days and seems to be happy. And I'm also happy as long as she can walk and enjoy her time out.
On July 15th, 2010, Pumpkin and me lost our biggest friend -- my mom. Olga passed away at 10:59 in the morning in Carson Valley Medical Center in Gardnerville after long time problems with her irregular heart beat at age 86. She was with me till her last minute which was her greatest wish granted her by God. She will be always remembered by both of us.
6) ♥Canuck Ranch: Pumpkin's New Home♥ (as of 07/23/2011)
New Paradigm Ranch suppose to go out of business on August 10th, 2011. There was no other place for Pumpkin i knew about and could afford at this time, so I thought that she would have to be put down on July 29th this year. Thanks to Dr. Peck DVM Pumpkin found her new home where she shares barn with two goats -- Stella and Stanley. Canuck Ranch is owned by Clint Malarchuk and his wife Joanie.
Unfortunately, Heiro™ failed. Last blood test showed insulin level 291 high. I'm not saying that Heiro™ is a bad product, try it if your equine suffer from insulin resistance, it just simply didn't work for Pumpkin for some unknown reason. I have no explanation for this because there were no changes in her food. I'm still in a shock. I personally think that there must be some metabolism changes in Pumpkin's body, maybe related to her age because her hooves started getting worse in about less than two years ago. I now really don't know what to do and how to help Pumpkin with her insulin troubles because there is no other medicine than Heiro™ and I don't think that simple diet will be enough. Let's see what we can come up with...
Actually, Heiro™ did not fail. After a phone call from Dr. Frank Reilly, DVM (Heiro™ developer) I know that blood for insulin resistance tests must be taken at the same time to be able to compare the results because level of insuline in blood fluctuates in the course of a day. First time blood was taken after 5 pm (when insulin level is usually low) and second time at 10 am (when insulin level is usually high), so level 291 could be actually lower than the result of the first test (114.4) if blood would have been taken also at 10 am instead of 5 pm. I will continue treatment with Heiro™ for another 30 days with following blood test (blood will be taken at 10 am again).
Results of the third insuline resistance test on 09/10/08:
* glucose level = 86.0 (normal)
* insulin level = 94.6 (still higher than normal but much, much better than a month ago).
I'm going to order for Pumpkin another shipment of Heiro™ and sometime in the future have her retested again to see, whether we can drop insulin level under 65. At this point, I really recommend to everyone, whose equine has an insulin resistance condition, to give a try to Heiro™. It works!
Unfortunatelly, after I lost my job in summer of 2009, I couldn't afford anymore to buy Pumpkin her expensive medicine. To make it work, it would have to be given to her before her morning hay which also wasn't always possible to do. Pumpkin wears boots again on her walks these days and seems to be happy. And I'm also happy as long as she can walk and enjoy her time out.
On July 15th, 2010, Pumpkin and me lost our biggest friend -- my mom. Olga passed away at 10:59 in the morning in Carson Valley Medical Center in Gardnerville after long time problems with her irregular heart beat at age 86. She was with me till her last minute which was her greatest wish granted her by God. She will be always remembered by both of us.
Six months later, weather of winter 2010/2011 reminds me the one of the winter when Pumpkin came to the ranch for the first time and had to wait for her permanent shelter called Ten Row still to be built: rainy and snowy November and December making my mom worry about Pumpkin's health because her coat is not water-proof like a horse's one and when, eight years ago, Jeannette installed temporary stalls in arena to give a shelter to all horses and Pumpkin, who were on the bad weather without a roof. And then, like a magic, beautiful, sunny and warm January with temperatures in the mid fifties, tempting everybody to play in the Sun. This is the first winter with such a wonderful January weather since 2002. I just don't know why I have a strange feeling that everything is closing in a circle...(just my thoughts on 01/26/2011)
Update On The Hoof Conditions (04/21/2011)
Surprisingly, Pumpkin still walks very good without wearing her boots for sole protection despite the ground getting harder due to very windy weather almost every day here in Nevada.
She developed lately a thick and cracking layer of a new growth right below the coronary band.
During the last hoof trim Frank cut off this thick layer and discovered a long crack in her left hoof coming down from the coronary band, almost one half of the hoof, as you can see on the picture below. You can also see in the picture horizontal lines on both hooves as the result of her founder. The middle one is how far down grew the outer layer before it was removed.
To prevent his from further happening, I was looking for something that would help protect hooves from cracks. I found only one product: Moisture Hoof Spray by Healthy HairCare Products. It contains lanolin and vitamin A to keep hooves moisturized and to prevent brittle hooves. I recommend this spray for all dry hooves. I spray both hooves once a day.
Dr. Peck, DVM didn't have an idea what could cause this crack. It is dry, Pumpkin can normally walk without any problem and doesn't show a sign of pain, even if a sharp object is inserted in, and it doesn't go all the way into soft tissue (laminae); you can feel that you hitting inside another hard layer of a hoof. Hopely, everything will heal soon. Cross your fingers...
(06/17/2011)
Hoof crack is gone, as you can see see on the picture below.
Update On The Hoof Conditions (04/21/2011)
Surprisingly, Pumpkin still walks very good without wearing her boots for sole protection despite the ground getting harder due to very windy weather almost every day here in Nevada.
She developed lately a thick and cracking layer of a new growth right below the coronary band.
During the last hoof trim Frank cut off this thick layer and discovered a long crack in her left hoof coming down from the coronary band, almost one half of the hoof, as you can see on the picture below. You can also see in the picture horizontal lines on both hooves as the result of her founder. The middle one is how far down grew the outer layer before it was removed.
To prevent his from further happening, I was looking for something that would help protect hooves from cracks. I found only one product: Moisture Hoof Spray by Healthy HairCare Products. It contains lanolin and vitamin A to keep hooves moisturized and to prevent brittle hooves. I recommend this spray for all dry hooves. I spray both hooves once a day.
Dr. Peck, DVM didn't have an idea what could cause this crack. It is dry, Pumpkin can normally walk without any problem and doesn't show a sign of pain, even if a sharp object is inserted in, and it doesn't go all the way into soft tissue (laminae); you can feel that you hitting inside another hard layer of a hoof. Hopely, everything will heal soon. Cross your fingers...
(06/17/2011)
Hoof crack is gone, as you can see see on the picture below.
I discovered another excellent hoof product by absorbine. The best moisture spray you can find on the market: hooflex natural spray.
6) ♥Canuck Ranch: Pumpkin's New Home♥ (as of 07/23/2011)
New Paradigm Ranch suppose to go out of business on August 10th, 2011. There was no other place for Pumpkin i knew about and could afford at this time, so I thought that she would have to be put down on July 29th this year. Thanks to Dr. Peck DVM Pumpkin found her new home where she shares barn with two goats -- Stella and Stanley. Canuck Ranch is owned by Clint Malarchuk and his wife Joanie.
09/10/2011 - Since Pumpkin moved to Canuck Ranch, she has been battling bad abscess in her right front hoof, going on and off. The sole of the hoof has been treated with paste made of betadine mixed with sugar, then covered by the newborn diaper, elastic bandage and duck tape.
She
was laying down a lot and started having problems with wounds from ground
on her knees, that's why there are bandages on her back feet.
The red bandages didn't last long: one slided down next day and in another one Pumpkin created holes righ where the wounds were. I removed both bandages and bought for Pumpkin on Frank's recommendation Vetericyn spray for wound and infection treatment. I don't know if this will help to eliminate pus in wounds but it certainly worths the try, despite the high price of the spray (I paid in a local feed store $45 plus a tax for 16 oz bottle
01/05/12 - Abscess is hopefully gone. During Pumpkin's last trim Frank opened little bit more the toe (where the draining cut was), so nothing can get stuck in, now very shallow, hole in the hoof. There is finally no more need for a bandage.
