More Updates on Kobeejo's Lipoma Surgery

Today (the 17th) I went up with my mother and brother to visit Kobeejo, as I do every day. He seemed so much more depressed than he has so far. And he only took a peppermint, but reluctantly, which is very unusual as he adores peppermints. It has me concerned, but the vet had called this morning to let me know that, because of his lack of appetite, tomorrow they are going to scope him (pass a camera through and see if anything is wrong).

Also, I think he has a bad tooth. Even before this happened, hay has been getting lodged into his left cheek. I had a dentist appt for him the day this happened, so he has not been able to see the dentist. The vet at the hospital told me, while he is sedated, they would look at his teeth and fix any problems. The vet who came to the barn the day Kobeejo colicked, looked in his mouth. He said he had a cracked tooth, but nothing too alarming. I wonder if the cracked tooth is causing him pain?

She had also told me I could walk him today. While they were unhooking his IVs so I could take him for a walk, a woman (Tess) came up to me and introduced herself as the hospital's social worker. She walked with me while I walked Kobeejo up and down the large outer aisle. Kobeejo definitely showed a bit more spunk once I had him out and moving. Tess asked me questions about how well I was doing with all of this, how I came to own Kobeejo (a story in itself that I have been writing into a memoir). I gave her the Reader's Digest version. I don't know how long I walked him, but he was quite happy and curious about everything. His ears were up, eyes bright as I brought him to a door with windows so he could look outside. I felt bad that I couldn't bring him out. There were several unused hallways he tried to go down so he could see what was down there, but we weren't allowed.

Tess was impressed with Kobeejo's calm and curious nature. My mom and brother came back from the waiting room near the time Kobeejo needed to go back to his stall. My brother informed me Kobeejo's neighbor, Otis the Warmblood, was freaking out since I took Kobeejo away. By the time I put Kobeejo back in his stall, though, Otis's family was there to visit him. As they are both in the Colic Wing, I knew Otis was also there for colic, though he had not had surgery, so I am unsure what kind of colic he could have that would require hospitalization but not surgery.

Kobeejo came to the door as I was closing it, looking at me like "No, don't put me in here again." It broke my heart. But he was still refusing food. His ice boots had been removed, so I felt his feet, as I have done every day since he foundered 5 years ago. His left front was slightly warmer than his right, but the warmth was not bad and even all over the hoof, so I was not too concerned. Usually, when he gets laminitis, the heat in his foot or feet is incredible and confined to one portion of the hoof.

I'm concerned about his diarrhea still, as he's never had that. The vet thinks it might be due to his antibiotics, but he's been on those since day one and he's only just gotten diarrhea. They removed the antibiotics today. I wonder if it might be due to the hay he's unaccustomed to, though no hay has ever given him diarrhea either. Regardless, tomorrow I am going to bring up a huge bag of his own hay. And maybe one of his hay nets. Perhaps the more I offer him what he is used to he will relax? 

I think I will bring some carrots as well. He loves carrots. I can't give him apples. Too much sugar. The vet is going to check his sugar levels tomorrow as well.

I have been reading up on follow-up care. There are many variations, I guess due to the horse, but one thing I know for sure is he will be on stall rest for a while with hand walking. I won't be able to do as much as the hospital does, though. They walk him every two hours. At the barn I haven't got that much time, but I read 4 walks a day should suffice. I know I will need the aid of my barn friends on this one. But, for now, I just want him all better, so I can get him home! His "girlfriend," Ivy has not been happy without him beside her, from what I hear. I guess everyone misses him. He's a popular horse. He will not be happy being in his stall even at home when the others are out, so I am going to use some of the electric ribbon that I have on hand to cordon off part of his paddock. I use this ribbon in summer to make him small grass grazing areas. Though his paddock is small by normal standards (30' X 60'), I will want to portion it to perhaps 14' X 14'. I may have to buy some more ribbon and posts, but that's ok. They are not expensive in small amounts. I know the girls who own the barn will help me as they are extremely helpful. This way, he can be out with his buddies nearby and getting air, since the barn is stuffy.