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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, wood was attached to the bottom of the fence to keep Pumpkin's favourite Rosebud shavings 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 (treatment for chronic uveitis in the right eye) and 1 gram of a powdered Bute (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 found: Equine Senior Feed by Purina has been replaced with sugar free Natural Glo® Stabilized Rice Bran which is a powder, so it's completely blended with aspirin, and 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 were installed in Fall 2005 and Pumpkin loves them!
Solution found: Equine Senior Feed by Purina has been replaced with sugar free Natural Glo® Stabilized Rice Bran which is a powder, so it's completely blended with aspirin, and 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 were 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 age, just like with people...) has been treated with Vetrolin® Liniment Gel w/Hyaluronic Acid for pain relieve and faster healing. 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. She 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 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 age, just like with people...) has been treated with Vetrolin® Liniment Gel w/Hyaluronic Acid for pain relieve and faster healing. Another good alternative is Absorbine® Liniment gel, but I personally prefer Vetrolin®
I've ordered for Pumpkin insulin resistance and cushing's syndrome 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. She 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 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 (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 it 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 (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 it 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™ didn't failed yet. After a phone call from Pensylvania vets I know that blood for insulin resistance tests must be taken at the same time to be able to compare their results because level of insuline in bood fluctuates in the course of a day. First time it was 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 my birthday, 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 heart at age 86. She was with me till her last minute which was her greatest wish granted her by God. She will always be remembered by both of us, Pumpkin and me. Life will never be the same as it used to be. There is an empty space left in my heart forever... Rest in peace, mom.
Last updated on Saturday, September 4, 2010
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™ didn't failed yet. After a phone call from Pensylvania vets I know that blood for insulin resistance tests must be taken at the same time to be able to compare their results because level of insuline in bood fluctuates in the course of a day. First time it was 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 my birthday, 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 heart at age 86. She was with me till her last minute which was her greatest wish granted her by God. She will always be remembered by both of us, Pumpkin and me. Life will never be the same as it used to be. There is an empty space left in my heart forever... Rest in peace, mom.
Last updated on Saturday, September 4, 2010
