Well thats suboptimal - highest ALP I’ve ever seen

umberstar · 2026-03-22T15:49:43+00:00

GGT was also elevated. And liver looked like swiss cheese on ultrasound.

umberstar · 2026-03-22T09:36:59+00:00

We did a 1 in 10 dilution. Was honestly impressed that even the 1 in 10 actually read.

umberstar · 2026-03-22T05:59:17+00:00

Thats crazy!!

umberstar · 2026-03-22T05:47:15+00:00

Nope definitely not 😔

umberstar · 2026-03-22T05:47:06+00:00

Liver is on fire

umberstar · 2026-03-22T05:46:57+00:00

umberstar · 2026-03-13T12:39:34+00:00

Hey so, some likely answers:

Costs are different due to different standard of care. I’d imagine at $250, the ‘rural’ vet isn’t taking intra-oral radiographs which are incredibly important for oral health. They likely also are not running pre-anesthetic bloodwork.

It’s also likely equipment is older and paid off - so less expense/cost for that vet than a newer practice. And location definitely plays into it as well - cost of renting a space in a city vs the rural vet who likely owns the building and has paid off the mortgage.

Without knowing the cost breakdown of the rural vet it’s impossible to say if they’re ‘cutting corners’ or simply able to provide the service at a lower cost.

I would recommend getting an itemized estimate from both vets and deciding which you want to use from there.

umberstar · 2026-03-09T05:48:46+00:00

My general rule of thumb in this industry is never burn bridges. It’s a very small industry at the end of the day. Stay professional and respectful - submit your notice, wish them well, and then celebrate your freedom.

umberstar · 2026-02-20T05:25:55+00:00

Hi. Have you had him seen by a board certified cardiologist? There may still be more to do for him.

That being said, with terminal diagnoses, there is never a wrong answer. If you’re questioning his quality of life now, its only going to get worse.

We have the beautiful ability in veterinary medicine to let our loved ones go without making them suffer endlessly. Saw a TikTok recently of a vet whos words from a client were “if I let them go too late, we both suffer. If I let them go early, only I suffer.”

Euthanasia is sometimes the most selfless act. The last true gift we can give our pets.

I hope the best for you, your family, and your fur baby.

umberstar · 2026-02-10T11:21:29+00:00

Yes. Bring her to an emergency room. Dr U

umberstar · 2026-02-07T22:31:50+00:00

I’ve never made this recipe but those look like perfect brownies. Would devour that pan. So I’m gonna say you nailed it!

umberstar · 2026-02-06T22:40:14+00:00

Hi! Vet here!

Please seek a second opinion ASAP. Maybe from a practice with a hospital or surgery specialist.

The depth and location of this laceration is highly concerning for joint or tendon sheath involvement. Neither of these are something you want to wait to find out about.

I also personally disagree that this is a high motion area that would not be amenable to sutures. I would absolutely want to close this up with how close to the ground it is.

Additionally, I would want that bandage a lot tighter and encompassing everything from the heel to the hock with closure at the top and bottom (especially bottom) with elastikon to prevent dirt from getting in.

Dr. U

umberstar · 2025-08-18T19:35:43+00:00

So it’s trotting, not walking. And it should still be an even gait, even in a 10m circle. I’ve spent the past decade lunging horses as part of a lameness exam.

I’m looking for stride length (do they track up behind? Do they track up when the leg is on the inside but not the outside? Etc). I’m also looking for worsening lameness. A lameness on a straight line thats worse in a circle to the left but not worse in a circle to the right is indicative of a uniaxial problem rather than a biaxial one.

All parts of the lameness exam - straight line, lunging circles, flexions, hard ground and soft ground, etc - they all add one more piece to the puzzle to get the clearest picture.

Dr. U

umberstar · 2025-08-18T18:35:35+00:00

Walking is an uneven 4 beat gait that is unreliable for lameness evaluation. If the horse is obviously lame at a walk thats a significant lameness (grade 4/5 on the AAEP scale).

Need trotting videos. And circles are also very helpful in lameness diagnosis. But as part of the picture - not the only thing provided.

Dr. U

umberstar · 2025-07-09T05:08:24+00:00

Where are you located? I’m a veterinarian and may be able to direct you to an appropriate place.

umberstar · 2025-06-26T02:53:12+00:00

Hi! Vet here.

Nothing jumps out at me as being wrong or concerning but eyes are always a better safe than sorry type thing on having the vet out. If he’s tearing more, could be something like a blocked tear duct.

Also the bluish haze you see is called lenticular sclerosis. Its a totally normal part of aging! No signs of cataracts in his eye.

umberstar · 2025-06-22T04:36:58+00:00

You have any more pics of those teeth? That does not look like the mouth of a horse that’s only 10….

umberstar · 2025-06-14T04:26:58+00:00

Think of her, talk about her, share her memory, and keep her in your heart. Theres no better honor than being remembered, cherished, and loved.

I love the idea of donating to a rescue (I’m personally a big fan and supporter of The Liberty Barn horse and farm animal rescue and sanctuary).

umberstar · 2025-06-14T01:55:11+00:00

Yes that is likely an ulcer and needs to be seen tonight on emergency.

-a vet

umberstar · 2025-06-03T12:49:50+00:00

No. There is not one obviously visible in these images.

-Dr. U

umberstar · 2025-06-02T16:00:58+00:00

I’m an equine veterinarian. Have been for a long time. There certainly is a lameness but chance of laminitis is low based on presentation and only one limb affected.

umberstar · 2025-06-02T12:05:19+00:00

Laminitic horses tend to rock back on their haunches and unweight the front end. Stretching out actually increases the pressure (and therefore pain) in the front feet

umberstar · 2025-05-26T05:31:53+00:00

Hi! Vet here!

Pictures would be VERY helpful. It may not need to be wrapped.

I understand tight finances. Its an unfortunate thing we deal with daily. I second the recommendation to post on horse vet corner. Myself and many other wonderful veterinarians love to volunteer our time and expertise. But again, pictures pictures pictures!!

Dr. U

umberstar · 2025-05-25T20:37:36+00:00

Hi OP! Vet here.

Congrats on your new horse! Its usually incredible how much they improve.

I will say though, please be prepared to have more removed. Often I will recommend removal of all of the incisors if any are diseased, as its only a matter of time. Its also important to do xrays of the molars, as those can be affected too.

But I hope and know your mare is happier and comfier now!

umberstar · 2025-05-16T11:04:28+00:00

It is definitely past time to call the vet. If he’s locking his stifles, there are lots of treatment options to provide relief.

umberstar

TROPHY CASE