>From Darolyn: Thanks to everyone for their messages of support
and understanding, but most of all, thanks for your curiosity and
investigative interest in delving into this water thing. Please
please don't go over board and not allow your horses to drink plenty, but
be on the look out for an obsessive amount of drinking... That's where the
problem is. A very good veterinarian friend of mine, Dr. Tom
Dombroski sent this to me a few minutes ago. I think this sums it up
from a medical point of view almost perfectly. Read up.
Sent:
Thursday, September 18, 2003 10:33 PM To: Darolyn Butler-Dial Subject:
Re: Adios
Hey Darolyn;
I don't know what to say . .
. I am so sorry perhaps part of what is happening; and
are predisposing the horses to the ruptured stomachs is this: 1)
horse is stressed by the miles or the conditions or whatever. amount of
electrolytes may or may not be playing a roll here. perhaps more it might
be calcium levels and perhaps also blood glucose level. stay with
me.
2) ileus (condition where the gut literally shuts down ---no peristalsis)
develops. thirst center in brain is telling horse he needs more water so he
drinks! problem is; because the gut isn't transporting it; it stays there
in the stomach; or, very slowly works it's way down the
GIT.
3) with time and or rest, the ileus subsides and the water is transported
along. the stomach empties and the horse feels more comfortable. his
condition is still tenuous; more stress may push him back into another case
of ileus. each time, becoming more difficult to reverse. maybe it never
completely disappeared to begin with. more oral fluids just aggravate the
stomach; stretching it; causing vasculature compromise in its walls; thus
causing them to weaken; perhaps leading to rupture. Darolyn, I believe
if my theory as to the mechanism of disaster is correct; then your
recommendation to give only IV fluids to a stressed endurance is absolutely
mandatory. for whatever its
worth.
a friend
always;
Tom
Darolyn Butler-Dial & Mark Dial
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